Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein that extend well-known direction finding (DF) and geolocation (GEO) concepts and approaches to a plurality of RF sensors to form a System of Systems (SoS) DF-GEO approach. The RF sensors may be collocated or spatial separated, and are able to exchange or share DF/GEO data. The SoS DF-GEO approach opportunistically leverages both on-board and off-board processing resources and DF-GEO measures for cooperative processing, situation awareness sharing, and performance optimization. The off-board processing resources and DF-GEO measures may be shared via networking. Thus, the SoS DF-GEO approach primarily bases measurements upon RSS or energy obtained from a one-antenna system or from a two-antenna system of a single RF sensor, as well as from other RF sensors via networking. By adopting the innovative SoS DF-GEO concept approach as described herein, optimized DF-GEO performance can be obtained by using the system of systems approach.

Abstract: A transmitter includes an array antenna and a plurality of transmitter modules. Each transmitter module includes a phase-lock loop with a slipped-cycle counter for determining the number of cycles of slippage before locking. A source of frequency reference signals is coupled to the phase-lock loop of each module by a path of unknown length. The phase of the reference signals at each module is determined from the number of slipped cycles, and a phase or delay corrector is set to compensate for differences among the modules. The modules amplify the signals to be transmitted and apply the amplified signals to the antenna array by way of paths of controlled length.

Abstract: A position tracking system includes a transmitter constructed and arranged to emit a electromagnetic signal and an array of at least three receiver antennae. Each of the at least three receiver antennae is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal emitted from the transmitter. The position tracking system also includes a receiver channel disposed in electrical communication with each of the at least three receiver antennae. The receiver channel is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal from each of the at least three receiver antennae. The position tracking system also includes a data processing component disposed in electrical communication with the receiver channel. The data processing component is constructed and arranged to calculate the position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and other embodiments associated with ultra low power GNSS receiver operation are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus that supports an off-line mode includes receive hardware configured to receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals, and a memory to store the digitized GNSS signals received by the receive hardware. The apparatus also includes a result logic configured to produce a GNSS result from the digitized GNSS signals stored in the memory and a clock configured to provide a timing signal. The apparatus also includes a control logic configured to control combinations of power states of the receive hardware, the memory, and the result logic based, at least in part, on the timing signal.

Abstract: A hull-mounted sonar array is provided. The array comprises a linear arrangement of hydrophones disposed within a generally D-shaped housing. The D-shaped housing comprises a generally flat portion having a first and second end and a curved portion extending from the first end to the second end. The hydrophones are arranged along the generally flat portion of the housing, equidistant from the curved portion. The housing is mounted to the hull of a vessel by, for example, a marine adhesive.

Abstract: The programmable wide-band radio frequency feed network is a wideband multi-port microwave/RF feed network that can operate with multiple communication bands covering a wide frequency range. In addition, the feed network is programmable via a digital controller and has two degrees of freedom, viz., amplitude and phase variations. The feed network provides amplification as well as attenuation to the amplitude of the incoming signals. The feed network is designed using discrete microwave components, and fabricated on a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB) with a small footprint. The digitally controlled feed network is ideal for any antenna array application within the covered frequency range, and can be re-programmed for various wireless communication standards.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for orienting a satellite antenna. In the methods, systems, and devices of the present disclosure, a satellite may provide multiple spot beams, each of the spot beams associated with a specific coverage area. The satellite may also transmit a wide beam downlink signal over a wide area beam having a coverage area that includes each of the spot beams. The satellite may receive an uplink beacon signal. The satellite antenna may be positioned according to azimuth and elevation determined from ground measurements of the spot beams and the satellite measurements of the uplink beacon signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system which comprises at least one monitoring satellite placed in orbit at a lower altitude than that of the satellites of the satellite constellation so as to be capable of receiving the positioning signals emitted towards the Earth by said satellites, and which comprises a processing unit intended for verifying the integrity of said received positioning signals, using position information that is separate from said signals for this purpose.

Abstract: A tool for inspecting a cell formed by grid beams of a top guide structure in a nuclear reactor is provided. The tool includes a camera; a support structure coupled to the camera for contacting at least one of the grid beams to support the camera within the cell; and at least one actuator moving the camera with respect to the support structure and along one of the grid beams, the at least one actuator coupling the camera to the support structure. A method for inspecting a cell formed by grid beams of a top guide structure in a nuclear reactor is also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses to allow a mobile device to identify and select certain wireless transmitting devices for use in estimating a location of the mobile device. For example with one method, a mobile device may identify a plurality of wireless transmitting devices from which measurements are obtainable to estimate a location of the mobile device, and select a set of wireless transmitting devices based, at least in part, on a location reliability indicator.

Abstract: According to the invention, the system comprises: at least three position beacons (3) arranged about said location (2) and emitting in the long-wave range, and an apparatus associated with the user (1) and including means for receiving, processing and displaying the information transmitted by said beacons (3).

Abstract: To provide a receiving device which is capable of reducing average power and peak power by holding pseudo synchronization of a satellite signal during a sleep period. Provided is a receiving device including a receiving unit for receiving a signal from a satellite, a frequency conversion unit for converting a frequency of the received signal into a predetermined intermediate frequency, a synchronization acquisition unit for carrying out synchronization acquisition and for detecting a carrier frequency, and a synchronization holding unit for assigning and setting, per satellite, a phase of the spread code and the carrier frequency to each of a plurality of channels independently provided in a corresponding manner to a plurality of the satellites to synchronously hold the spread code and a carrier and also for demodulating a message included in the intermediate frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve providing assistance data to a global position and navigation receiver, for example topographical data, such that the receiver can decide on a specific action depending on that data. The topographical data may include one or both of geographical data and architectural data. Geographical data may include information about natural formations, such as hills, valleys, forests, etc. Architectural data may include manmade formations, such as streets, buildings, bridges, etc. The receiver may then interpret and decide on a course of action for controlling the receiver base on the assistance data.

Abstract: For supporting a change of a reference station, first data that is valid for a first reference station is provided for transmission to a device, then data that is valid for the first reference station and data that is valid for a second reference station is provided for transmission to the device in parallel for a limited time, and finally data that is valid for the second reference station is provided for transmission to the device. The data for the first reference station and the data for the second reference station include measurements on satellite signals. At a receiving end, the respectively received data can be provided for a positioning of a device comprising a satellite signal receiver.

Abstract: An arrival angle estimation system includes a transmitting device and a receiving device and estimates an arrival angle at which frames transmitted by radio from the transmitting device arrive at the receiving device. The transmitting device includes two directional antennas each arranged so that its directivity is tilted at ±? degrees with respect to the front of the transmitting device. The receiving device includes a directional antenna having directivity toward the front of the receiving device. Frames are transmitted alternately from the respective directional antennas of the transmitting device, and received signal strengths of the frames on the receiving device side for the respective transmitting directional antennas are compared with each other to estimate the arrival angle.

Abstract: A Global Positioning System (GPS) commercial receiver includes programmable logic that utilizes P-code modulated L1 and L2 GPS signals to derive estimates of in-phase and quadrature-phase components of both L1 and L2 signals, a programmable processor that calculates pseudoranges and pseudo-Doppler phases, and derives navigation solutions. A resulting complex accumulated L2 signal comprises near-ML estimates of desired L2 amplitude and pseudo-Doppler phase.

Abstract: A device and method for determining a distance and/or orientation of a movable object includes a transmitter that is located on the object and a receiver. One of the transmitter and the receiver has an antenna having a known polarization plane. The other of the transmitter and the receiver has a counterclockwise circular polarized antenna and a clockwise circular polarized antenna.

Abstract: A wireless positioning apparatus receives a plurality of channel responses for a plurality of locations, generates a plurality of channel response patterns from the plurality of channel responses, and stores the plurality of channel response patterns. The wireless positioning apparatus receives an estimated channel response from a mobile station and compares the estimated channel response with the plurality of channel response patterns to estimate a location of the mobile station. The wireless positioning apparatus provides the estimated location information to the mobile station.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for using ephemeris data in GNSS receivers and systems are provided. Receivers using synthetic ephemeris data for longer ephemeris availability under poor reception conditions are updated using a variety of techniques that allow for the transfer of accurate information onto degraded synthetic ephemeris information.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system with intermodulation beam nulling device includes nulling phase shifters.