Abstract: A method for receiving and processing satellite navigation signals includes receiving the navigation signals; converting the navigation signals into digital signals; providing a clock signal to all channels that process the digital signals; generating frequency division signals; selecting a channel frequency division signal from the frequency division signals based on which ADC is used to convert the satellite navigation signals into digital signals; connecting the channel to the ADC; generating code frequency signal and base carrier frequency signal using a net accumulation signal; processing the digital signal in the channel to produce digital quadrature signal components of the digital signal based on the code frequency signal and the base carrier frequency signal; using a tick signal that represents 2N×clock signal as a temporary time scale for control of the channels for determining digital signal phase differences between the channels; and outputting coordinates based on the quadrature components.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a soil roughness measure. A transducer transmits an ultrasonic signal towards a soil surface and receives a first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal and a second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A first distance between the transducer and a first point on the soil surface is calculated based on the first echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A second distance between the transducer and a second point on the soil surface is calculated based on the second echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. A soil roughness measure of the soil surface is determined based on a difference between the first distance and the second distance.

Abstract: A method for machine operator command attenuation includes the step of detecting a position of a boom, stick, and bucket of a hydraulic implement of a construction machine. Movement of the stick is detected by a controller. The controller determines if the movement of the stick will cause excavation below a desired grade. If the movement will not cause excavation below a desired grade, the controller will take no action. If the movement will cause excavation below a desired grade, the controller will command the boom to raise.

Abstract: A method and a receiver apparatus allows obtaining accurate estimates of motion parameters of a mobile receiver, including smoothed estimates of total coordinates increments relative to its initial position, projections of velocity vector and acceleration vector. High estimation accuracy is achieved by filtering the biased or unbiased estimates of total coordinate increments relative to the receiver's initial position using smoothing tracking filters of a 2-nd or 3-rd order.

Abstract: A universal multi-channel receiver for receiving and processing signals from different navigation systems is provided. The universal receiver is implemented as an ASIC receiver with a number of universal channels. The receiver with universal channels is capable of receiving and processing signals from navigation satellites located within a direct access zone. The universal receiver has a plurality of channels that share the same memory. The universal receiver can determine its coordinates using any of the existing navigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Beidou and GALILEO). The receiver can receive and process any (PN) signals.

Abstract: A positioning system that combines the use of real-time location system and a robotic total station into a single, transparent hybrid positioning system to locate one or multiple targets by one or multiple users.

Abstract: An antenna system includes an electromagnetic radiator assembled on a ground plane. The ground plane containing a nontransparent area in a center of the ground plane and a semitransparent area surrounding the nontransparent area. The nontransparent area is circular in shape. The semitransparent area is generally circular in shape and contains at least one slot. A plurality of vertical conducting elements are in proximity of a boundary between the nontransparent area and the semitransparent area on a bottom side of the ground plane. The vertical conducting elements are arranged in a circle around a center of the electromagnetic radiator.

Abstract: A method and system utilizing one or more agricultural drones in combination with agricultural equipment, e.g., an agricultural boom sprayer, to evaluate the crops being farmed, and to improve the real-time delivery and dispensing of liquid from the sprayer including monitoring and verifying that the liquid is being dispensed correctly and/or in accordance with a desired distribution pattern or level.

Abstract: A point cloud rendering method and apparatus for real-time point cloud data collection from a variety of sensor types is provided that delivers enhanced performance including reducing processing requirements, limiting local memory consumption and optimizing overall data visualization.

Abstract: A point cloud filter method and apparatus is provided for use in point cloud rendering from real-time point cloud data collection from a variety of sensor types is provided that delivers enhanced performance including reducing processing requirements, limiting local memory consumption and optimizing overall data visualization.

Abstract: An antenna assembly includes a GNSS stacked patch antenna located in a metal cavity and a matching parasitic element, the matching parasitic element includes a set of conductors not connected to the antenna. Each conductor has an external end and internal end, the external ends being conductively coupled to the housing of the cavity. The conductors of the matching parasitic elements can be radially arranged. External ends of conductors are additionally connected to each other by a ring-shaped conductor. Internal ends of conductors can be connected to capacitive elements, which can be discrete capacitors and/or segments of conductors.

Abstract: A laser measuring system is provided by combining N-beams, angle based modulation and a laser receiver and laser transmitter configured with corner reflectors for signal shift measuring to facilitate full three dimensional positioning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that determines and simulates the proper putting stroke using at least aiming direction and speed for successfully making a particular putt based on particular putting green characteristics and the location of the golf hole on the putting green, and which is interactive with the user thereby providing an enhanced playing experience and improved putting results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for enhanced signal interference monitoring by sampling a signal of interest and using a representation of the sampled signal in combination with certain audio output capabilities to determine the nature of either the primary received data signal or the secondary interfering signals without requiring any specialized, dedicated external equipment, additional hardware and/or disturbing the primary functions of a radio modem.

Abstract: A putting stroke apparatus and method is provided that determines and simulates the proper putting stroke using at least an aiming direction and initial ball speed for successfully making a particular putt based on particular putting green characteristics and the location of the golf hole on the putting green. A pendulum putter apparatus is coupled with a putting diagnostic tool wherein the putting diagnostic tool determines at least an aiming direction and initial ball speed for a particular putt using inputs such as: (i) topographic information (e.g., contours) specific to the green; (ii) the green speed at a particular time; (iii) the golf hole location (i.e., the physical location of the golf hole); and (iv) the golf ball location on the green (i.e., the physical location of the golf ball).

Abstract: An improved GNSS antenna having an integrated antenna element in combination with a plurality of built-in sources of additional data and/or a plurality of devices for receiving additional information for exchanging the information and transmission of GNSS signals from the antenna element to a GNSS receiver over a single RF cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering point cloud data obtained using a plurality of sensors generates data representative of a surface and for use with a specific type of sensor. The filtering allows certain machines and sensor types to be used to acquire point cloud data and different sensor types to be used during surface construction and modification. The method can be utilized with various types of machine controls and surface construction methods.

Abstract: A system for estimating carrier phases of radio signals in a satellite navigation system receiver for coordinate determination includes a complex of reference signals (CRS), wherein, in each jth satellite channel, a digital reference signal RefSigj, represents an output phase and frequency-controlled oscillation of a corresponding numerically-controlled oscillator (NCOj) for each jth satellite channel, the phase of the oscillation of the NCOj tracking a carrier signal received from the jth satellite; and an adaptation complex (AC) that, in response to vibration or movement of the receiver, changes (expands or reduces) an effective bandpass of the CRS, producing control signals that determine phase and frequency changes in the corresponding NCOj for reducing dynamic distortions in coordinate measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure signal-to-thermal noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-pulse noise ratio (SPNR), the apparatus including a quadrature mixer, a pulse noise reduction unit, an SNR estimation unit and an offset compensation unit, connected in series, the quadrature mixer receiving the input radio signal and outputting an in-phase component and a quadrature component; a pulse noise separation unit, and an SPNR estimation unit connected series, the pulse noise reduction unit and the pulse noise separation unit inputting the in-phase and quadrature components; the SPNR estimation unit inputting a filtered in-phase component from the pulse noise reduction unit. The offset compensation unit outputs a current SNR. The SPNR estimation unit outputs a current SPNR. The pulse noise separation unit includes a first LPF, an impulse noise separator and an HPF, connected in series; and a second LPF, a pulse noise detection unit and an inverter, connected in series.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizing a high-precision GNSS receiver, an EDM, and an optical camera in combination for making accurate measurements of multiple remote points. The accurate measurement of a plurality of remote points is facilitated by integrating a high-precision GNSS receiver, an EDM and an optical camera such that their combined physical location and orientation can be measured and known, and allowing for a single calibration thereof. The integration of the high-precision GNSS receiver, an EDM, and an optical camera may take various forms such as a single, integrated device, or individual devices assembled together on a surveying pole, for example. The integrated device may also include one or more sensors such as an inclination sensor and an inertial measurement unit.