Abstract: A low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a non-atomic clock configured to generate a clock signal, a navigation signal receiving and processing module, and a navigation signal generation and transmission module. The navigation signal receiving and processing module is configured to receive the clock signal from the non-atomic clock, receive first signaling including first timing data generated based on a high precision clock, and generate clock state data based on the clock signal and the first timing data. The navigation signal generation and transmission module is configured to receive the clock signal from the non-atomic clock, generate a navigation message that indicates the clock state data, generate a broadcast carrier signal by utilizing the clock signal, generate a navigation signal based on modulating the navigation message upon the broadcast carrier signal, and broadcast the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a pre-distortion actuator configured to receive a carrier-modulated signal and convert the carrier-modulated signal into an output signal. The system includes one or more antennas configured to receive the output signal and transmit the output signal, one or more power amplifiers electrically coupled between the pre-distortion actuator and the one or more antennas and a receiver configured to receive the output signal over-the-air and generate feedback based on the output signal. The pre-distortion actuator is configured to generate the output signal by applying a correction to the carrier-modulated signal that cancels out nonlinearities associated with the one or more antennas and/or the one or more power amplifiers. The pre-distortion actuator is configured based on the feedback.

Abstract: A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a cross-polarization interference compensation module is included in a receiver of a wireless communication system. The module includes first and second input lines configured to receive respective first and second down-converted digital polarized signals based on receipt of a wireless transmission. The module further includes first and second output lines electrically coupled to at least one modem. The module further includes a first complex finite impulse response (FIR) filter configured to receive the second down-converted digital polarized signal and generate a correction factor that cancels cross-polarization components in the first down-converted digital polarized signal. The module further includes a first filter coefficient engine in communication with the first complex FIR filter and configured to adapt the first complex FIR filter over time based on the first and second down-converted digital polarized signals.

Abstract: A separation device for a spacecraft or launcher comprising a nut divided into at least two nut portions locked to each other by a locking device in a locking position. A releasing device is arranged to switch the locking device from the locking position to a releasing position. The separation device comprises at least two bearing elements arranged between the locking device and the nut. The nut comprises an outer envelope surface which comprises as many indentations as the number of bearing elements and locking surfaces between the indentations. In the locked state each bearing element is jammed between the locking surface and an inner envelope surface of the locking device and in the released state each bearing element is positioned facing the indentations.

Abstract: For generating a points-of-interest plan, a method generates communication graph nodes for at least one satellite. The method calculates communication graph edges from the communication graph nodes, wherein the communication graph nodes and the communication graph edges comprise a communication graph. The method solves the communication graph to yield a communication plan. The method generates a points-of-interest plan from the communication plan.

Abstract: An example of a satellite includes a first radiator panel with first heat-generating components attached to its surface and a second radiator panel with second heat-generating components attached to its surface. One or more actuators are configured to deploy the first and second radiator panels from a compact configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are overlapping to a deployed configuration in which the first and second radiator panels are non-overlapping.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation device for a spacecraft or launcher. The separation device includes an inner housing divided into at least two portions locked to each other by a locking device in a locking position. The locking device is arranged to move between a locking position and a releasing position. The separation device includes an initiator including means for providing high pressure fluid to an expansion chamber when the separation device is switched from a locked state to a released state. The high pressure fluid in an expansion chamber moves the locking device from the locking position to the releasing position when the separation device is switched from the locked state to the released state. The separation device includes a dampening arrangement arranged to attenuate a peak load when the separation device is switched from the locked state to the released state.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a pre-distortion actuator configured to receive a carrier-modulated signal and convert the carrier-modulated signal into an output signal. The system includes one or more antennas configured to receive the output signal and transmit the output signal, one or more power amplifiers electrically coupled between the pre-distortion actuator and the one or more antennas and a receiver configured to receive the output signal over-the-air and generate feedback based on the output signal. The pre-distortion actuator is configured to generate the output signal by applying a correction to the carrier-modulated signal that cancels out nonlinearities associated with the one or more antennas and/or the one or more power amplifiers. The pre-distortion actuator is configured based on the feedback.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate water droplets from an air stream. The apparatus includes an elongated tube, a reservoir, and a helix structure. The elongated tube has a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an inlet opening at the first end of the elongated tube, the inlet opening arranged to accept the air stream tangentially relative to the longitudinal axis, and an outlet opening at the second end of the elongated tube. The reservoir is positioned at a second end of the elongated tube. The helix structure is positioned within the elongated tube and includes an upper surface, a lower surface arranged opposite the upper surface, an outer edge, and a variable pitch along a length of the elongated tube, the variable pitch providing a variable interior angle between an inner wall of the elongated tube and the upper surface of the helix structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a vortex hybrid motor are described herein. In some embodiments, the vortex hybrid motor may include a combustion zone defined by a fuel core and/or motor housing. The combustion zone may include an upper zone and a central zone that each contribute to thrust created by the vortex hybrid motor. In some embodiments, an injection port configuration is described that includes a proximal injection port that may be controlled for modulating a delivery of an amount of oxidizer for adjusting an oxidizer-to-fuel ratio. In some embodiments, a fuel core configuration is described that provides radially varying gradients of fuel in order to achieve desired thrust profiles. In some embodiments, the fuel core may include a support structure and/or a proximal end of a nozzle of the vortex hybrid motor may extend into the fuel core.

Abstract: A maritime radar system is provided, comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and one or more processors arranged to provide range and azimuth discrimination of a detection area by performing a delay/Doppler analysis of the echo of a single beam transmitted by the transmitter and received by the receiver.

Abstract: A phased-array, conformal antenna and a method for forming same are disclosed. The method comprises forming a substantially planar layered antenna structure by fabricating a printed circuit board (PCB) on a substantially planar first substrate, adhering the PCB to a second substantially planar substrate, the second substantially planar substrate comprising an aerogel, adhering a plurality of antenna elements to the substantially planar second substrate to form the phased-array, adhering a protective layer to the one or more antenna elements, and shaping the substantially planar layered antenna structure to form a substantially curved layered antenna structure.

Abstract: A multibeam antenna comprises a direct radiating array (DRA) comprising a plurality of radiating elements, a reflector facing the DRA so as to reflect a field generated by the DRA, and a DRA controller configured to control the plurality of radiating elements of the DRA according to a plurality of coefficients, such that the field generated at the DRA produces a plurality of beams when reflected by the reflector. The DRA controller is configured to determine the plurality of coefficients by using a bifocal antenna model to determine a field that would be produced by a subreflector and feed horn arrangement in an equivalent bifocal antenna configured to produce the plurality of beams, and determine the plurality of coefficients required to produce a similar incident field at the surface of the reflector. A method of controlling the multibeam antenna, and corresponding computer program instructions, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus having a housing enclosing antenna components and a leg extending from the housing includes a base securable to a surface and configured to receive a bottom portion of the leg. A locking assembly defined at the bottom portion of the leg is moveable between a first position, wherein the leg is removable from the base, and a second position, wherein the leg is lockingly secured within the base.

Abstract: A wireless network includes access points with at least pairwise overlapping wireless coverage, each access point including an OFDMA modulation system and a channel scheduler coupled to the OFDMA modulation system configured to set up a number of virtual wireless interfaces of the access point, each virtual wireless interface being associated with a dedicated set of subcarriers within the OFDMA spectrum. At least one first of the virtual wireless interfaces is configured to host all communication links between the access point and local mobile clients to the access point. A least one second of the virtual wireless interfaces is configured to host communication links between the access point and one of the neighboring access points.

Abstract: A deployable reflector for an antenna is disclosed. The deployable reflector comprises a deployable membrane configured to adopt a pre-formed shape in a deployed configuration, and an electrically conductive mesh disposed on a surface of the membrane wherein the electrically conductive mesh is configured to permit relative lateral movement between the electrically conductive mesh and the membrane during deployment of the reflector. In the deployed configuration, the conductive mesh adopts the shape of the membrane and forms a reflective surface of the reflector. A method of manufacturing the deployable reflector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a component is disclosed. In a first step, a planar component layer is produced on a base surface from a metal material which is above the melting temperature thereof. In a second step, shear stresses are introduced into the component layer produced in the first step by a friction pin which rotates about a rotation axis and which is pressed with a predetermined force onto an outer surface of the component layer opposite the base surface and which is moved along the entire outer surface of the component layer. Finally, in a third step, the first step is repeated on the outer surface as a base surface.

Abstract: A structural part for lightning strike protection, preferably of an aircraft includes a first structure element, wherein the first structure element includes a conducting material and is adapted to conduct electric currents into a grounded conducting airframe structure, and a second structure element, wherein the second structure element includes an outer layer with a first surface, wherein the outer layer includes a composite, preferably carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, CFRP or glass-fibre reinforced plastic GFRP. The structural part further includes a first elongated, preferably wedge-shaped, electrical conductor, with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first elongated electrical conductor is connected to the first structure element and extends through the second structure element to the first surface, so that the second end of the first elongated electrical conductor serves as a lightning receptor without impairing the radar cross section of the aircraft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for assessing performance of a player of a game. An embodiment operates by monitoring for an input from the player of the game, receiving the input from the player of the game, and determining a characteristic of the game resulting from the input from the player. Based on the input from the player, a performance of the player is assessed. The performance of the player relating to one or more metrics of the game is monitored, and is assessed by comparing the input from the player during the period of time to an optimal input during the period of time in the game.