Patents Assigned to RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
  • Patent number: 9189451
    Abstract: A network device determines an exposure time associated with an image sensor coupled to a spacecraft for capturing an image of a target object orbiting the Earth. The network device computes a maximum relative angular velocity associated with the target object based on the exposure time and a dimension of a pixel of the image sensor. The network device identifies a first pointing direction of the image sensor for initiating a search for the target object. The network device generates a first angular velocity probability distribution map for the target object and divides the first angular velocity probability distribution map into a first set of angular velocity regions (AVRs). The network device selects a first AVR from the first set of AVRs for scanning by the image sensor and generates a search schedule that includes a first entry for informing the spacecraft to scan the first AVR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Freedman, Erik Halvorson
  • Patent number: 9083426
    Abstract: Beamforming in a satellite communications network includes determining a first delay imparted to signals redirected by a first reflecting dish in a satellite, the first delay being caused by motion of the first reflecting dish relative to the satellite. A second delay imparted to signals redirected by a second reflecting dish in the satellite is determined, the second delay being caused by motion of the second reflecting dish relative to the satellite. Calculating, using the determined first and second delays, beamforming coefficients that enable the generation of a single beam by combining a group of signals that includes a first signal redirected by the first reflecting dish and a second signal redirected by the second reflecting dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Freedman, Arnold Berman, Michael Mandell, Erik Halvorson, Scott Markley
  • Patent number: 8929483
    Abstract: Digital baseband channel signals are received and up-sampled to a common sampling rate. The digital baseband channel signals are filtered using low pass filters. Complex frequency shifting is performed of the filtered digital baseband channel signals based on the associated different channel frequencies to obtain digital channel signals, which are combined to generate a digital wideband multi-channel signal that is a digital representation of an analog wideband multi-channel signal that is based on combining analog channel signals that correspond to the analog baseband channel signals. A non-linear pre-distortion of the digital wideband multi-channel signal is performed, the non-linear pre-distortion adding at least one of a gain and a phase shift to the digital wideband multi-channel signal such that the digital channel signals included within the digital wideband multi-channel signal are compensated for a non-linear distortion effected on the analog wideband multi-channel signal by a high-power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mandell, Ted Kaplan, Arnold Berman, Jeffrey Freedman, Brian Sipos, Scott Conrad Markley, Erik Halvorson, David Marshack
  • Patent number: 8923756
    Abstract: In one implementation, gain measurements for one or more satellite elements may be obtained from one or more calibration stations. A matrix may be generated, with each cell providing a storage for relative gain estimate between an element pair with an associated weight indicating a confidence in the estimate. A pair of elements corresponding to an empty matrix cell and a calibration station with non-zero gain measurements for each of the element pair with non-zero weights indicating confidences in the non-zero gain measurements, may be identified. A relative gain estimate for the element pair may be computed using the non-zero gain measurements for each of the element pair. A weight indicating a confidence in the relative gain estimate may be computed using the non-zero weights. The relative gain estimate may be stored in the cell associated with the element pair and the computed weight may be associated with the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Freedman, Erik Halvorson, Scott Conrad Markley
  • Patent number: 8427369
    Abstract: In one implementation, a first measurement of gain of a first calibration signal retransmitted from a first satellite element and a second measurement of gain of a second calibration signal retransmitted from a second satellite element may be obtained. A first expected gain for the first element and a second expected gain for the second element may be accessed. A weight indicative of a confidence in the first measurement may be computed using a gradient of a geodetic radiation pattern of the first element. A weight indicative of a confidence in the second measurement also may be computed using a gradient of a radiation pattern of the second element. A cost function may be generated and values for one or more unknown variables may be computed by reducing the cost function with respect to the one or more unknown variables. The computed values for the unknown variables may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Freedman, Erik Halvorson, Scott Markley
  • Patent number: 8427368
    Abstract: Gain measurements of one or more calibration signals communicated by one or more calibration stations and retransmitted by one or more satellite elements may be obtained. One or more weights indicating confidence in the gain measurements for the one or more satellite elements may be computed. A geodetic radiation gain pattern of a satellite element that is a function of a roll, a pitch, and a yaw of a satellite may be accessed. Partial derivatives of the geodetic radiation pattern may be computed with respect to roll, pitch and yaw at one or more points in the first geodetic radiation pattern corresponding to one or more geographic locations. A cost function may be generated and one or more unknown variables may be computed by reducing the cost function. A satellite pointing error may be determined using the computed variable values and the pointing error may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: RKF Engineering Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Freedman, Erik Halvorson, Scott Markley