Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining an integrity indicating parameter (e.g. an integrity risk IR or a protection level PL) indicating the integrity of positioning information determined from positioning information signals disseminated from a plurality of space vehicles SAT1, SAT2, SAT3 of a global positioning system. An input parameter (e.g. an alert limit AL or an integrity risk IR) is provided, a plurality of integrity information parameters (?SISA, ?SISMA or equivalent, ?X, kX) are received, and the integrity indicating parameter (IR; PL) is determined on the basis of the input parameter (AL; IR) and on the basis of a first relation between the integrity indicating parameter (IR; PL) and the input parameter (AL; IR) and the plurality of integrity information parameters (?SISA, ?SISMA or equivalent, ?X, kX).

Abstract: In a method for providing integrity information for users of a global navigation system, which comprises several space vehicles like satellites transmitting information to a device for position detection, the transmitted information comprises first information from the global navigation system about the accuracy of a signal in space error SISE of a faulty space vehicle, and second information whether or not the global navigation system assesses the faulty space vehicle as faulty. The invention is based on the assumption how exact a fault can be detected, so that performance the global navigation system can be increased; and no unfounded assumption is used which improves the quality of service.

Abstract: A navigation-satellite tracking method includes determining one-way range unambiguous observations for each of a set of satellites in view, wherein standard tracking channels are permanently associated to each of the satellites.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active-pixel-sensor (APS) apparatus for use in a star tracker device including an imager chip, said imager chip comprising an array of photo-diodes operating as optical pixels, and a logic circuit. The logic circuit is configured for reading out a pixel signal depending on an amount of light irradiated during a predetermined integration time and resetting the optical pixel upon termination of the predetermined integration time processing the pixel signals and to output the modified signals and for performing a non-destructive readout of the pixel signal during the integration time. In order to distinguish Single-Event-Upset (SEU) contributions to the signal from star signal contributions, it is proposed to further configure the logic circuit to detect whether or not a discontinuity has occurred in the pixel signal during the integration time, and to modify the signal depending on the result of this detection.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of creating a set of secondary spreading codes for use in a satellite navigation system comprising a constellation of satellites. Each satellite in the constellation employs a tiered spreading code comprising at least a primary code and a secondary code. Each satellite in the constellation is allocated a different secondary spreading code from the set of secondary spreading codes. The method involves generating an initial set of bit patterns, where each bit pattern represents a potential secondary spreading code. The method further involves performing an optimization process on bit patterns within the initial set of bit patterns. As a result of the optimization, at least some of the bit patterns in the initial set are modified or replaced, to create a final set of bit patterns for use as the set of secondary spreading codes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for treating urea-containing water. The invention also relates to a domestic toilet provided with such a device. The invention also relates to an animal accommodation provided with such a device. In addition, the invention comprises a method for treating urea-containing water. The device comprises a nitrification unit adapted to oxidize urea to nitrates and carbon dioxide, wherein the nitrification unit is also provided with an oxygen feed, a gas discharge and a throughfeed for feed of waste water nitrified by the nitrification unit to a filtration unit connected to the nitrification unit. The nitrification unit preferably comprises nitrifying bacteria.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for processing a received navigation signal x?(t) of a satellite navigation system, the received navigation signal x?(t) contains at least four navigation codes. The navigation codes are modulated by a complex BOC signal and a defined subcarrier frequency such that the resulting signal has a constant amplitude. The resulting signal is then also modulated by means of a carrier signal. The navigation signal x?(t) is demodulated and then processed by a complex correlation with at least one reference signal.

Abstract: A telescope has an entrance pupil region; a first concave mirror (M1) belonging to a first rotationally symmetric aspheric surface and reflecting light passing through the entrance pupil region; a second convex mirror (M2) belonging to a second rotationally symmetric aspheric surface and reflecting light reflected by the first mirror; a third convex mirror (M3) belonging to a third rotationally symmetric aspheric surface and reflecting light reflected by the second mirror; a fourth concave mirror belonging to a fourth rotationally symmetric aspheric surface and reflecting light reflected by the second mirror to an exit pupil. The first, second, third and fourth rotationally symmetric aspheric surfaces are centered on the symmetry axis of the third mirror. The first, second and fourth mirrors are centered along the first direction perpendicular to the optical axis and off-centered in a second direction perpendicular to the symmetry axis and to the first direction.

Abstract: A real time SAR processing system for processing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) return signals and a method for real time processing of SAR return signals. The real time SAR processing system for processing synthetic aperture radar return signals comprises a light source (1) for generating a coherent, plane electromagnetic wave; light modulation means (2) for modulating the incident wave according to the radar return signals and outputting a modulated wave; and optical processing means (3) for submitting the modulated wave to an optical signal processing for radar image reconstruction. The light modulation means (2) comprises a plurality of addressable pixels (30) which are controlled based on the radar return signals. Light detection means (4) for detecting the processed wave and generating a corresponding electrical radar image signal are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing messages y contained in a data store 100 is provided. The method comprises the steps of determining a number of messages y of a predetermined message type forming a structure S consisting of a plurality of said messages y of the predetermined message type in the data store 100, selecting the structure, reading a first bit x of each message y of said structure consecutively, and reading a subsequent bit x+n of each message y of said structure consecutively until a final bit x of each message is read.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining which one or more time series parameters of a plurality of time series parameters relating to operation of a system are correlated with a first operation state of the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active-pixel-sensor (APS) apparatus for use in a star tracker device including an imager chip, said imager chip comprising an array of photo-diodes operating as optical pixels, and a logic circuit. The logic circuit is configured for reading out a pixel signal depending on an amount of light irradiated during a predetermined integration time and resetting the optical pixel upon termination of the predetermined integration time processing the pixel signals and to output the modified signals and for performing a non-destructive readout of the pixel signal during the integration time In order to distinguish Single-Event-Upset (SEU) contributions to the signal from star signal contributions, it is proposed to further configure the logic circuit to detect whether or not a discontinuity has occurred in the pixel signal during the integration time, and to modify the signal depending on the result of this detection.

Abstract: A configuration and method for bonding a thin metal layer to two workpieces, e.g. solar cells and film-backed/reinforced small contact strips including: (i) the backing film is removed from the solar cell; (ii) the two films/layers are pressed together; and (iii) the two parts are irradiated from the side of the rear contact of the thin-film solar cell. Preferably two or three laser treatment steps are used for removing the backing film of the thin-film solar cell in an ablation process by means of a short-pulse laser and riveting the first metal layer to the second metal layer by irradiating the same by means of a long-pulse laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to Navigation-satellite tracking method including at least one step of determining one-way range unambiguous observations for each of a set of satellites in view, wherein standard tracking channels (32, 24) are permanently associated to each of the satellites.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of creating a set of secondary spreading codes for use in a satellite navigation system comprising a constellation of satellites. Each satellite in the constellation employs a tiered spreading code comprising at least a primary code and a secondary code. Each satellite in the constellation is allocated a different secondary spreading code from the set of secondary spreading codes. The method involves generating an initial set of bit patterns, where each bit pattern represents a potential secondary spreading code. The method further involves performing an optimisation process on bit patterns within the initial set of bit patterns. As a result of the optimisation, at least some of the bit patterns in the initial set are modified or replaced, to create a final set of bit patterns for use as the set of secondary spreading codes.

Abstract: A receiver is provided for use with a satellite navigation system comprising a constellation of multiple satellites. Each satellite transmits a signal incorporating a spreading code. The receiver includes at least one code storage unit that includes combinatorial logic for storing a memory code comprising a fixed pattern of bits including address decoding, wherein the stored memory code corresponds to a spreading code incorporated into a signal transmitted from a satellite. The receiver further includes a correlator for performing a correlation between an incoming signal and the stored spreading code from the one code storage unit.

Abstract: A method for demodulating alternate binary offset carrier signals includes at least two subcarriers, each having an in-phase and a quadrature component modulated by pseudo-random codes. The quadrature components are modulated by dataless pilot signals. The in-phase components are modulated by data signals. The method includes converting the alternate binary offset carrier signals into an intermediate frequency, band-pass filtering the converted signals and sampling the filtered signals, generating a carrier phase and carrier phase-rotating the sampled signals by the carrier phase, correlating the rotated sampled signals, and generating, for each subcarrier, pseudo-random binary codes and a subcarrier phase, which are used to correlate the rotated sampled signals.

Abstract: A device for protecting against arcing events solar array panels and control equipment supplying a main power bus is provided. The control equipment comprises a regulator for controlling a solar array voltage (Vs) and includes a power dump stage for shunting the solar array voltage as a function of a control signal. The device comprises a voltage drop detection circuit for generating a voltage drop detection signal (VD) when a voltage drop is detected in the solar array voltage (Vs), and an arc-quenching circuit comprising a system for generating an output signal (Vo) which is applied as the control signal to the power dump stage so as to shunt the solar array voltage (Vs) when a voltage drop is detected by the voltage drop detection circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical reflector element (1) for a beam of X-rays (RX) or of gamma-rays or of high-energy particles at grazing incidence, the element being constituted by a stack of superposed silicon plates (10-12). Each plate (10-12) has a reflecting top face (101-121) possibly coated with a metallic film, a multilayer or a dispersive grating and a bottom face carrying ribs (100-120) forming spacers between two successive plates (10-11, 11-12), and defining determined spacing between two successive reflecting faces (101-121). The invention also provides optical instruments comprising several such elements, in particular a type I Wolter telescope comprising two mirrors in tandem having respective paraboloid and hyperboloid surfaces of revolution or a conical approximation thereof or a Kirkpatrick-Beaz system.

Abstract: A method for demodulating alternate binary offset carrier signals includes at least two subcarriers, each having an in-phase and a quadrature component modulated by pseudo-random codes. The quadrature components are modulated by dataless pilot signals. The in-phase components are modulated by data signals. The method includes converting the alternate binary offset carrier signals into an intermediate frequency, band-pass filtering the converted signals and sampling the filtered signals, generating a carrier phase and carrier phase-rotating the sampled signals by the carrier phase, correlating the rotated sampled signals, and generating, for each subcarrier, pseudo-random binary codes and a subcarrier phase, which are used to correlate the rotated sampled signals.