Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for determining a position of a GNSS rover antenna from observations collected at the antenna over multiple epochs from satellite signals of multiple GNSS, wherein the observation data of each GNSS has a distinct data format. The observation data of each GNSS are presented in a generic GNSS data format, which differs from the distinct data format of the GNSS, to obtain a set of generic data. A set of difference data is prepared representing differences between the converted observation data and the generic data. When at least four satellites are tracked, the generic data of the tracked satellites of multiple GNSS are used to compute a standalone antenna position. When at least five satellites are tracked, the generic data of the tracked satellites of multiple GNSS are used to compute a real-time kinematic antenna position.

Abstract: A vehicle-based radio frequency (RF) hardware component comprises first and second antennas, a digitizer, a serializer, and a serial output. The first antenna receives, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna receives, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. The digitizer digitizes the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and digitizes the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. The serializer serializes the digitized GNSS signals into a serialized output signal. The serial output communicatively couples the digitized GNSS signals, as the serialized output signal, directly from a location in a vehicle of the radio frequency hardware component to a separate communication device that is also coupled with the vehicle.

Abstract: A crop yield per location measurer is disclosed. In general, the crop yield measurer includes a crop collector for a field of crops. The crop collector includes a navigation satellite system location determiner to determine location information at periodic times during a crop collection process. The crop collector also includes an optical mechanism to optically determine a volume of collected crops at the periodic times during the crop collection process. In addition, a database is used for storing the location information and the volume at the periodic times during the crop collection process. A crop yield overview generator is then utilized to provide a user accessible crop yield per location overview for the field of crops based on the information stored at the database.

Abstract: A plurality of images are captured by an image capturing device that is an integral part of the mobile data collection platform from at least two different perspectives that depict a point of interest in a scene. Coincident with capture of each of the plurality of images, orientation information is obtained via orientation sensors of the mobile data collection platform, a position fix of an antenna associated with the mobile data collection platform is determined, and a position of an entrance pupil of the image capturing device is calculated. Scale information associated with at least one of the images is captured. Scene data comprises the images, the orientation information and the entrance pupil positions. A three dimensional position of the point of interest at the scene is determined based on photogrammetric image processing of the scene data.

Abstract: A fluid analyzing system comprises an electronic control module and a telematics device. The electronic control module is coupled with an asset. The electronic control module is configured for initiating acquisition of a sample of a fluid of the asset and initiating a microfluidic analysis of the sample in response to occurrence of an analysis trigger. The analysis trigger comprises an operating characteristic of the asset. The telematics device coupled is coupled with both the asset and the electronic control module. The telematics device is configured for wirelessly transmitting results of the microfluidic analysis to an asset management system located remotely from the asset and the telematics device.

Abstract: An integrated auto-level and electronic rod reader is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated auto-level and electronic rod reader comprises a telescope and an image delivery device integrated with the auto-level which is configured for capturing an image of a standard grade rod visible through the telescope and a crosshair. Logic implemented by a processor automatically recognizes the crosshair, automatically compares the crosshair against a scale of the standard grade rod, and automatically determines an elevation of the standard grade rod based upon the comparing.

Abstract: A direct digital drive audio system and method system and method are presented. The direct digital drive system and method utilizes a digital signal to directly drive the speakers. In one exemplary implementation, an audio system includes a sample register, an convergence adjustment component, an accumulated error register, a digital driver and a speaker. The sample register is coupled to the convergence adjustment component which is coupled to the accumulated error register and the digital driver which in turn is coupled to the speaker. The sample register holds an audio sample. The convergence adjustment component calculates the error for each sample. The accumulated error register stores an accumulated error. The digital driver determines whether to drive on a positive digital value, drive on a negative digital value or not drive. The speaker creates audio sounds based upon a signal from the digital driver.

Abstract: An array antenna includes at least two antenna elements that are axially-aligned and axially-spaced. Polarization diversity is provided by at least one driven antenna element that provides horizontal and vertical polarizations. The driven element includes one or more feed points for the horizontal polarization and one or more feed points for the vertical polarization. A switching circuit is configured to switch between the one or more feed points to alternately provide the horizontal and vertical polarizations.

Abstract: A method of extracting pseudorange information using a cellular device. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset which is physically remote from a cellular device is accessed which provides raw GNSS observables information based upon signals received from a circularly polarized GNSS antenna. The raw GNSS observables information is wirelessly transmitted from the GNSS chipset to the cellular device. The raw GNSS observables information is extracted by a processor of the cellular device. The raw GNSS observables information, in addition to GNSS corrections from at least one correction source, is used by the processor to determine a position of the circularly polarized GNSS antenna.

Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipset embedded within the cellular device is accessed. The GNSS chipset calculates raw pseudoranges. The raw pseudoranges are extracted from the GNSS chipset for processing elsewhere in the cellular device outside of the GNSS chipset. A position fix is calculated based on the raw pseudoranges. At a first point in time, a first image, and at a second point in time, a second image are obtained with an image capturing device that is in a known physical relationship with the cellular device. An estimate of a distance that the cellular device moved from the first point in time to the second point in time is calculated by processing image data collected from the first point in time to the second point in time. The position fix is processed based on the estimate of the distance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for determining position of a rover antenna, comprising: obtaining rover GNSS data derived from code observations and carrier phase observations of GNSS signals of multiple satellites over multiple epochs, obtaining precise satellite data for the satellites, determining a virtual base station location, generating epochs of synthesized base station data using at least the precise satellite data and the virtual base station location, and applying a differential process to at least the rover GNSS data and the synthesized base station data to determine at least rover antenna positions.

Abstract: A method and system for long-life asset tracking is disclosed. One example utilizes an activation module to provide an activation signal to at least a portion of the long-life asset tracker. A position determiner receives the activation signal and determines a location of the long-life asset tracker with a first level of accuracy or a second level of accuracy, wherein the second level of accuracy is more accurate than the first level of accuracy and wherein a default mode of operation is to utilize a radio locator for position determination instead of a navigation satellite system module to extend the life of a power source of the long-life asset tracker. An information provider module to broadcast the location of the long-life asset tracker is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for determining the dimensional coordinates of a point of interest in a work space, includes a plurality of fixed-position ranging radios, located at known positions in the work space, and a wand having a first end configured for indicating a point of interest. A pair of ranging radios are mounted on the wand. A measurement circuit, responsive to the pair of ranging radios, determines the position of each of the pair of ranging radios with respect to the plurality of fixed-position ranging radios, and determines the position of the first end of the wand with respect to the plurality of fixed position ranging radios. A robotic total station may be used in lieu of the fixed-position ranging radios to monitor the positions of retroreflective elements on the wand.

Abstract: An area-based open pit mine designer is disclosed. One example includes an economic shell receiver module to receive an economic shell. In addition, a user input module receives a user parametric input denoting an open pit mine shape based on the economic shell. The open pit mine designer module automatically develops an open pit mine design based on the user parametric input.

Abstract: System and method for providing position correction data over a data communications network. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a mobile device over a data communications network, wherein the request includes a user identification. The method may further include receiving geographic position of the mobile device, selecting a mountpoint based, at least in part, on one or more of the user identification and the geographic location of the mobile device, and transmitting the position correction data to the mobile device over the data communications network.

Abstract: A connected-slot antenna includes a dielectric substrate, a circular patch overlying the dielectric substrate, and a first conductive ring surrounding the circular patch and overlying the dielectric substrate. The first conductive ring is isolated from the circular patch by a first connected slot. At least four feeds are coupled to the circular patch. Each of the at least four feeds are spaced from adjacent ones of the at least four feeds by approximately equal angular intervals. A metamaterial ground plane includes a plurality of conductive patches and a ground plane. The plurality of conductive patches are separated from the circular patch and the first conductive ring by at least the dielectric substrate. The ground plane is electrically coupled to at least a first portion of the plurality of conductive patches. One or more of the plurality of conductive patches and the ground plane are coupled to ground.

Abstract: Active imaging systems for plant growth monitoring acquire images in which each pixel represents an absolute NDVI value obtained with active illumination.

Abstract: A method for determining absolute orientation of a platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first sky polarization data set for a first time Ti is measured using a sky polarization sensor disposed on a platform. A second sky polarization data set is obtained at a second time Tj. A difference in orientation between the first sky polarization data set and the second sky polarization data set is determined using an orientation determiner. The difference in orientation is provided as at least one orientation parameter for the platform at time Tj. The at least one orientation parameter is used to provide a direction relative to a reference point on the platform.

Abstract: A network based computerized system for managing a trip. The network based computerized system includes a network, which includes one or more of the Internet and a wide area network. The network based computerized system includes a server coupled to the network running a network based application for allowing a user of a client computer coupled with the network to store, on the server, data relating to the trip. The network based computerized system includes a cellular telephone system coupled to the network for allowing a user of a portable electronic device disposed for wirelessly communicating with the cellular telephone system to access the server and download the data relating to the trip. The portable electronic device performs a geo-locating function for determining a geographic location of the portable electronic device and accesses a signal relating to the geographic location generated by a system for determining the geographic location.

Abstract: A Web based application system for managing a trip. The Web based application system for managing a trip includes a graphical user interface for allowing a client computer coupled to a network to access a server computer to retrieve and store data relating to the trip therewith, one or more interactive windows functioning with the graphical user interface to perform the retrieving and the storing such that the data include a Web document and the graphical user interface and the interactive windows include a first application, and a wireless device interface for allowing a portable device wirelessly coupled, with a cellular telephone system, with the network to access the Web document. The portable device includes a cellular telephone functionality, a geo-locating functionality and a processor for processing the Web document. The processing helps manage the trip. Downloading and processing the Web document include a second application.