Patents Assigned to Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales
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Patent number: 10942281Abstract: The invention discloses an improved GNSS receiver which determines a location of the receiver by combining a first location determined either from the standard PVT of a multi-frequency receiver and/or from a positioning aid like a map matching algorithm, inertial navigation system, WiFi localization system or other, and a second location determined by integrating the velocity from the standard PVT. The combination is based on a duty cycle or a combination of the duty cycle with a weighting of the error budgets of the first position and the second location. The improved receiver is preferably based on a standard receiver with an add-on software module which receives and processes data transmitted from the standard receiver by, for example, NMEA messages. The improved receiver allows a determination of a more precise and smoother trajectory in a simple way.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Denis Laurichesse, François-Xavier Marmet, Lionel Ries
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Patent number: 10887004Abstract: The present invention relates to a telecommunications satellite intended for being placed in earth orbit, comprising an antenna comprising a reflector and a network of sources. In addition, said satellite comprises adaptive analog beamforming networks, said adaptive analog beamforming networks being connected to respective groups of sources other than the network of sources. Each adaptive analog beamforming network is suitable for simultaneously activating a predetermined number of beams serving respective geographic zones inside a geographic region on Earth's surface. Each of group of sources comprises sources shared with other groups of sources, and at least one geographic region has a geographic overlap of at least 30% with other geographic regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES (CNES)Inventor: Vincent Tugend
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Patent number: 10879577Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multilayer electromagnetic waveguide that includes a plurality of layers forming guide channels for an electromagnetic wave, and at least one transition device including at least one dielectric layer between two guide channels, referred to as coupled guide channels, extending as an extension. Each transition device includes at least one adaptation channel extending in a longitudinal direction, and each adaptation channel is defined by two electrically conductive walls. At least one wall extends along the dielectric spacer layer from one end of the coupled guide channel, over a length suitable for optimizing the transmission of an electromagnetic wave between the two coupled guide channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES CNES, LE CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, L'UNIVERSITE DE RENNES 1Inventors: Nicolas Capet, Francesco Foglia Manzillo, Karim Tekkouk, Ronan Sauleau, Mauro Ettorre
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Patent number: 10866324Abstract: A GNSS receiver and the associated method, for calculating an unbiased position and time measurement from a plurality of satellite positioning signals, the receiver comprising: a plurality of circuits configured to receive positioning signals from a plurality of satellites in GNSS constellations, a plurality of first and second signal processing channels configured for processing a first selection of said positioning signals and determining associated first pseudo ranges, a computer logic, wherein: the computer logic is configured to calculate the unbiased position and time measurement from pseudo ranges being determined from positioning signals originating from distinct satellites. A GNSS receiver further comprising a second computer logic configured to calculate a second unbiased position and time from the first position and time, and the second signal processing signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Nabil Jardak, Willy Vigneau, François-Xavier Marmet, Lionel Ries
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Patent number: 10858124Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring a space payload from a first orbit to a second orbit. Said method is characterized in that the space payload, moving about the first orbit, is attached to a removable orbital towing assistance device including at least one fuel pouch. Said method includes the steps of: —attaching (E1) an orbital transfer vehicle to the removable orbital towing assistance device; and —transferring (E2) the space payload and the removable orbital towing assistance device to the second orbit by means of the orbital transfer vehicle. The invention also relates to a removable orbital towing assistance device intended for a space payload and an orbital transfer vehicle and enabling direct supply of fuel to the vehicle and/or the space payload.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventor: Pascal Bultel
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Patent number: 10826444Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a stage for amplifying the power of a variable envelope signal including at least one amplifier. For each amplifier, a form of ideal variation in average power POUTL is selected. For each value of each setting parameter and for each average input power value, a value of an optimisation criterion is calculated on the basis of the mathematical expectation of at least one optimisation parameter. An optimum value of each setting parameter is determined and the amplification stage is produced with a number of amplifiers in parallel determined on the basis of an average output power value and with, for each amplifier, matching circuits providing the optimum values of the setting parameters. The invention also relates to an amplification stage produced in this manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ÉTUDES SPATIALES C N E SInventors: Geoffroy Soubercaze-Pun, Luc Lapierre
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Publication number: 20200309961Abstract: The invention discloses an improved GNSS receiver which determines a location of the receiver by combining a first location determined either from the standard PVT and/or from a positioning aid like a map matching algorithm, inertial navigation system, WiFi localization system or other, and a second location determined by integrating the velocity from the standard PVT. The combination is based on a weighting of the error budgets of the first position and the second location. The improved receiver is preferably based on a standard receiver with an add-on software module which receives and processes data transmitted from the standard receiver by, for example, NMEA messages. The improved receiver allows a determination of a more precise and smoother trajectory in a simple way.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2017Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventor: François-Xavier MARMET
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Patent number: 10782414Abstract: The invention discloses a receiver of GNSS positioning signals which has embedded computer logic to select between a first operating mode, which uses all available frequencies, and a second operating mode, which uses only part of the available frequencies but in combination with available correction data. The selection is based on a comparison of an index of quality of reception at the receiver and a computed or predicted precision/confidence level of the corrections. A plurality of corrections types are possible, including a type using a local model and a type using collaborative corrections. In some embodiments, a selection and/or a combination of a plurality of local models may be made to optimize the accuracy of the corrections.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Sébastien Rougerie, Marion Roudier, Lionel Ries, Laurent Lestarquit
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Patent number: 10763582Abstract: A method for determining a phase bias in the signal transmitted by at least one of the radiating elements of an active antenna on the ground emitting signals into space using a space-division multiple access SDMA method, implementing a step, for each reference receiver, of comparing, to a threshold, the difference between the value of a measurement of the power received by each reference receiver and the sum, out of the radiating elements of the subset beamforming in the direction of the reference receiver, of the differences between the equivalent isotropically radiated power in the direction of the reference receiver and the free-space path loss of each radiating element of the subset.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2018Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignees: THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Thibaud Calmettes, Benoît Vautherin, Yoan Gregoire, Christelle Iliopoulos
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Patent number: 10739471Abstract: The invention discloses a receiver and a method to process navigation signals from one or more GNSS constellation, wherein an observation model and a measurement model allow a direct calculation of the carrier phase ambiguities. More specifically, in a triple frequency implementation, the receiver calculates in turn the extrawidelane, widelane and narrowlane ambiguities. The code and carrier phase biases can also be directly calculated. Thanks to the invention a quicker acquisition and tracking of a precise position, which will also be less noisy than a prior art solution, especially in some embodiments of the invention using a RAIM and/or a gap-bridging function. Also, code smoothing using the Doppler and low latency clock synchronization allow to decrease the noise levels of the precise point navigation solutions.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventor: Denis Laurichesse
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Patent number: 10732291Abstract: A GNSS receiver, and an associated method are presented for calculating a position from positioning signals transmitted by a plurality of GNSS transmitters. For example the receiver compsises a first and a second signal acquisition elements having different polarizations, the receiver being configured to process the signals received on the first signal acquisition element to calculate first pseudo range measurements, and the signals received on the second signal acquisition element to calculate second pseudo range measurements and associated quality indicators. The receiver further comprises a calculation circuit configured to select at least one of the second pseudo range measurements depending on the quality indicators, and compare it with the corresponding first pseudo range measurement, and select at least three first pseudo range measurements based on the comparison results to calculate a position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Nicolas Capet, François-Xavier Marmet
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Patent number: 10732295Abstract: The positioning receiver according to the invention comprises means for storing configuration information and information on its reception conditions, which is processed in order to calculate a current and/or predicted precision of the positioning calculation. Advantageously, at least some of this information is integrated into a variation model of a Kalman filter integrated into the receiver. The invention notably allows a more rapid convergence on a reference precision in a mono-frequency operating mode and transitions between a mono-frequency and bi-frequency mode to be smoothed. Advantageously, the precision information is delivered graphically or in numerical form to the user.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventor: Denis Laurichesse
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Patent number: 10684329Abstract: A method for estimating the ageing of a battery powering an electrical system. A set of data about the voltage and current across the battery terminals, in response to the current perturbations provoked during the normal operation of the battery by the changes of consumption rate of the electrical system are stored. The impedance of the battery, within a predetermined frequency interval, from the voltage and current data is determined. The age of the battery as a function of the impedance is estimated by comparing the impedance with a previously stored model of evolution of this impedance with ageing.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES CNESInventors: Laurent Gajewski, Pierre-Louis Taberna, Patrice Simon
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Patent number: 10656283Abstract: The invention discloses an antenna assembly comprising one or more sensors, possibly a fish-eye camera which produces images of the sky above the antenna, said images being processed to identify open sky and occulted sky areas, said identification being used to generate an antenna gain pattern shape wherein null zones are placed on the occulted sky areas, so as to eliminate the GNSS signals which are affected by multipath reflection. The antenna assembly of the invention may be used with any GNSS receiver of the prior art. No specific data on the location of the receiver or its orientation is needed to perform the method of the invention, while in some embodiments, it may be useful to send some information on the number of satellites in view in the open sky.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Nicolas Capet, François-Xavier Marmet
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Patent number: 10641902Abstract: The positioning signals broadcast by GNSS constellations are affected by significant errors, notably due to the crossing of the ionospheric layer or of the tropospheric layer. Several unwieldy means have been deployed to provide professional users with corrections of said errors. These means, however, all require the knowledge of at least one precise reference point at a given distance. According to the invention, positioning receivers that are not very precise, such as smartphones, present in a geographical zone, of unknown precise position, can contribute to the production of precise atmospheric error corrections if said receivers are sufficiently numerous.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: Gaël Scot, Denis Laurichesse
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Relay vehicle for transmitting positioning signals to rovers with an optimized dilution of precision
Patent number: 10605927Abstract: The invention discloses a constellation of relay vehicles comprising a receiver of navigation signals and a transmitter of positioning signals to an area of service where a number of rovers manoeuver, wherein the position of the relay vehicle may be adjusted to optimize one or more of an SNR or a DOP index of the positioning signals. In some embodiments, the optimal configuration of the constellation of relay vehicles may be further defined based on priority indexes allocated to the rovers. The invention is applicable to terrestrial or underwater rovers, respectively serviced by aerial or nautical relay vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: François-Xavier Marmet, Nicolas Capet -
Patent number: 10585195Abstract: Receiver and method for receiving one or more RF signals, the RF signals comprising a component relative to a direct propagation path and, depending on a propagation environment, one or more additional components relative to reflected propagation paths, the receiver comprising a calculation circuit configured to: compute at least a first correlation function (310) between the received signal and at least a replica of a RF signal generated at the receiver, and for at least an output of said first correlation function: perform a cepstrum transform (410), search for one or more reflected propagation paths from the output of the cepstrum transform (411), and when reflected propagation paths are detected, determine the associated propagation characteristics (412), and remove the contribution of the detected reflected propagation paths from one of the received signal or the output of the first correlation function.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventors: François-Xavier Marmet, Joël Dantepal
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Patent number: 10564289Abstract: The positioning signals broadcast by the GNSS constellations on civilian frequencies are likely to be counterfeited, while the use of authentic signals is becoming increasingly critical for certain applications. According to the invention, the authentication of GNSS signals is performed by analysis of consistency between the measurements of parameters characteristic of the signals (direction of arrival, amplitude, phase) and their state model, said state model taking account of an emulation by software and electronic means of displacements of the phase centre of the antenna and/or of the main lobe of the radiation pattern. Advantageously, these displacements are generated by a pseudo-random code. Advantageously, the analysis of consistency between measurements and models is a multiple-criterion analysis, the combination of criteria being chosen as a function of a reception quality indicator and/or of a presumed location.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventor: Lionel Ries
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Publication number: 20200041658Abstract: The invention discloses a receiver and a method to process navigation signals from one or more GNSS constellation, wherein an observation model and a measurement model allow a direct calculation of the carrier phase ambiguities. More specifically, in a triple frequency implementation, the receiver calculates in turn the extrawidelane, widelane and narrowlane ambiguities. The code and carrier phase biases can also be directly calculated. Thanks to the invention a quicker acquisition and tracking of a precise position, which will also be less noisy than a prior art solution, especially in some embodiments of the invention using a RAIM and/or a gap-bridging function. Also, code smoothing using the Doppler and low latency clock synchronization allow to decrease the noise levels of the precise point navigation solutions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2016Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALESInventor: Denis LAURICHESSE
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Publication number: 20200002028Abstract: A damper for an object is placed in a medium subjected to vibrations. The damper has an idle state in the absence of vibrations, a first operating state in case of vibrations of a first type, and a second operating state in case of vibrations of a second type. The level of each vibration of the first type is less than the level of each vibration of the second type. The damper includes an outer support structure, an inner support structure, and at least one pair of membranes formed of a first membrane and a second membrane. Each membrane is formed of a viscoelastic material including fibers aligned substantially in a same direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Applicants: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, SMACInventors: Pierre LAMY, Tony DEMERVILLE, Quentin BIANCO, Roseline SCHMISSER, Aurelien HOT, Elisabeth LAURENT