Patents Examined by Gregory C. Issing
  • Patent number: 9983290
    Abstract: A method for obtaining the direction of a signal incoming to a communication device is provided using a modal antenna that has multiple modes corresponding to multiple radiation patterns with a single feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ethertronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Pajona, Michael Roe, Mohd Faizal Mohd Zaini, Sebastian Rowson, Laurent Desclos
  • Patent number: 9977133
    Abstract: Examples are provided that enable a cellular network location assist to confirm a position determined using a sensor of a mobile device. As a result of global positioning system signals becoming unavailable due to the mobile device traveling indoors, the mobile device implements a sensor-based position determination that provides a position of the mobile device as the mobile device travels about a location. In order to confirm the reliability of the sensor-based position determination, the mobile device, after passage of time or after traveling some estimated distance, requests location assistance indications from the cellular network. A processor of the mobile device receives the location assistance indications and generates a directional vector based on several of the location assistance indications. Using the directional vector, the processor confirms the reliability of the dead reckoning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Yuk Lun Li, Xin Ren, Zheng Zhao, Nanjun Qian
  • Patent number: 9964647
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for estimating a position of receiver using ranging signals from different regions in a network of transmitters. In some embodiments, each ranging signal that exceeds a quality criterion is assigned to one of several defined regions based on a characteristic of that ranging signal. A maximum number of ranging signals per region may be selected and used during trilateration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: NextNav, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Sendonaris, Norman F. Krasner
  • Patent number: 9958533
    Abstract: A method for locating wireless devices within a local region, comprising: determining respective global locations of two or more of the wireless devices; determining whether the wireless devices are within the local region by calculating respective distances between the global locations; determining respective ranges between the wireless devices within the local region; and, determining respective relative locations of the wireless devices within the local region by triangulation using the ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: DRNC Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Tajinder Manku
  • Patent number: 9945952
    Abstract: A method for localizing a terminal includes transmitting the signal by the terminal; receiving the signal by a first and a second satellite; transmitting the signal from each satellite to a receiving station; demodulating the signal received by the first satellite to determine a signal content and the time of arrival of the signal transmitted by the terminal at the receiving station via the first satellite; determining the time of arrival of the signal transmitted by the terminal at the receiving station via the first and second satellite; determining a position for the terminal by triangulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: EUTELSAT S A
    Inventors: Antonio Arcidiacono, Daniele Vito Finocchiaro, Alessandro Le Pera
  • Patent number: 9945926
    Abstract: A method of designing bandwidth-efficient ranging waveforms provides waveforms usable in non-contiguous spectral bands that have low SNR thresholds and are usable at low and moderate SNR's. A set of allowed frequencies in the desired spectral region is divided into bands. A first group of band combinations is selected having a required accuracy at high SNR. Those band combinations in the first group that have the smallest autocorrelation secondary peaks are selected as a second group. Finally, waveforms are selected that occupy band combinations from the second group and have desired factors such as simultaneous or sequential transmission, a desired order of sequential transmission, and/or a desired modulation of the individual bands. Multiple simultaneous transmissions can share a set of bands, and individual transmitters can employ different modulating waveforms with good cross-correlation. In embodiments, waveforms having 4-6 bands provide a SNR threshold only 6-9 dB lower than conventional waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Vesperix Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Wallace
  • Patent number: 9941587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3×3 Butler matrix, comprising a first directional coupler, a second directional coupler, a third directional coupler, a first fixed phase shifter, a second fixed phase shifter and a third fixed phase shifter; and also relates to a 5×6 Butler matrix, comprising a first 3×3 Butler matrix, a second 3×3 Butler matrix, a fourth directional coupler, a fifth directional coupler, a power divider, a fourth fixed phase shifter and a fifth fixed phase shifter. The 3×3 Butler matrix and the 5×6 Butler matrix provided in the present invention have the features of small size, wide frequency band, low loss, high isolation and stable performance, fill the blank of specific technical schemes about the 3×3 Butler matrix and the 5×6 Butler matrix in the prior art, and have broad application prospects and great value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GUANGDONG BROADRADIO COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Biqun Wu
  • Patent number: 9933528
    Abstract: A method for Real Time Kinematic satellite positioning includes receiving navigation satellite carrier signals, receiving phase correction signals from a reference station, calculating a set of integer phase ambiguities from double-differenced measurements of pseudo-range and phase, and calculating a relative position of the mobile receiver from the set of integer phase ambiguities and the double-differenced measurements of pseudo-range and phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Swift Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Maxwell Horn, Fergus MacPherson Noble
  • Patent number: 9921314
    Abstract: A Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS) includes a plurality of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) reference receivers configured to receive and process GNSS satellite measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Jakel, James Arthur McDonald
  • Patent number: 9921313
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a Global Positioning System (GPS) phased array comprising a plurality of digital beam forming elements (DBFEs), wherein at least one of the DBFEs includes: an antenna configured to transmit a GPS signal; a radio frequency (RF) electronics section operably connected to the antenna and digital electronics sections; and a digital electronics section operably connected to the RF electronics section. An apparatus includes: a GPS phased array comprising a plurality of DBFEs, wherein at least one of the DBFEs includes: an antenna configured to transmit a GPS signal; an RF electronics section operably connected to the antenna and digital electronics sections; and a digital electronics section operably connected an RF electronic section; a navigation encoder and frequency generator (NEFU) unit operably connected to the GPS phased array; and an atomic frequency standard operably connected to the NEFU unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kiet D. Ngo, Edward V. Koretzky, Dennis M. Hall, Douglas S. Cockfield
  • Patent number: 9917377
    Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna device in which an excitation phase changing unit (4) for changing the excitation phases of element antennas (2-1n) to (2-8n) by controlling phase shifters (3-1n) to (3-8n) dependently on preset phase values is disposed, and every time the excitation phases are changed by the excitation phase changing unit (4), a radiation pattern forming unit (12) shifts the phases of a sum signal and a difference signal, and forms a monopulse sum pattern by time-integrating the sum signal after phase shift and also forms a monopulse difference pattern by time-integrating the difference signal after phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Matsuki, Kazunari Kihira, Masataka Otsuka
  • Patent number: 9915736
    Abstract: A navigation satellite system, one or more NSS reference station is set out for providing information to one or more rover receivers. The NSS reference station comprises a processing unit configured to determine one or more first range intervals representing first ambiguity windows based on estimated atmospheric effects, and determine one or more second range intervals representing a second ambiguity window smaller than each of the first ambiguity windows based on uncertainties of range measurements within a predetermined previous period. The NSS reference station further comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the NSS rover receivers, first messages each comprising a modulo a first ambiguity window, and transmission of two first messages, to range measurement transmit between the NSS rover receiver, a plurality of second messages, each second message comprising a range measurement modulo one of the second ambiguity windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventor: Kendall Ferguson
  • Patent number: 9917363
    Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for dynamically adjusting an angular orientation of cross-polarized antenna array elements to optimize select radio-frequency (RF) parameters. RF uplink signals are received from a plurality of mobile devices, and the signals are analyzed to determine parameters associated with signal strength and/or signal quality. Based on the determination, a first set of cross-polarized antenna array elements are deactivated and a second set of cross-polarized antenna array elements are activated, where the second set of antenna array elements has a different angular orientation relative to the first set of antenna array elements. Activation enables the second set of antenna array elements to transmit and receive communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Maneesh Gauba, Stephen R. Bales, Greg T. Nohalty, Matthew J Masters
  • Patent number: 9912074
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for forming an antenna array are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves determining at least one coprime moduli set based upon a differential phase gain requirement and a differential phase range requirement for the antenna array. The method further involves producing at least one configuration for relative spacing of antenna elements of the antenna array by using at least one coprime moduli set. Also, the method involves choosing one of configurations for the antenna array to employ by evaluating a resultant gain and an unambiguous angle of arrival (AOA) for each of the configurations. Further, the method involves determining the absolute spacing of the antenna elements of the antenna array for the chosen configuration for the antenna array according to a wavelength requirement for the antenna array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gary Ray
  • Patent number: 9910132
    Abstract: A signal processing system is provided. The signal processing system includes a transmission architecture configured to transmit first and second signals, and a receiver architecture including an antenna configured to receive the signals, and a coherent signal fusion processing device communicatively coupled to the antenna. The processing device is configured to generate a broadband analog signal that contains the first and second signals, digitize the broadband analog signal, isolate first and second signals of interest, estimate, relative to a reference template, at least one of a time difference of arrival and a frequency difference of arrival for at least one of the first and second signals of interest, and determine a location of at least one of the transmission architecture and the receiver architecture based on the estimated at least one of a time difference of arrival and a frequency difference of arrival.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gary A. Ray
  • Patent number: 9899746
    Abstract: An electronically steerable helical or spiral antenna includes a monopole antenna element disposed within at least one helical or spiral antenna element. The antenna can be electronically steered, i.e., its radiation pattern can be altered, such that the antenna radiates in a desired direction, without mechanically changing a direction in which the antenna is aimed and without mechanically changing orientation of any of the antenna's elements, by adjusting amplitude and phase of a signal fed to the monopole antenna element, relative to a signal fed to the at least one helical or spiral antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Grandfield, Phillip Hulse, Matthew Shea, Michael P. Abban
  • Patent number: 9891306
    Abstract: A method for improving geolocation accuracy in a passive radar warning receiver, using synchronized data curve-fit and interpolation to asynchronous and noisy receiver and navigation measurements over observation periods that are extended to reduce inaccuracies caused by noise. The present disclosure yields synchronized data samples at intervals short enough that constant-rate equations are valid, even though the actual motions over the observation interval may be more complex and have higher-order dynamics. It reduces noise, synchronizes data samples, and is readily adapted to motions with variable acceleration. The method generates rate samples short enough to satisfy constant rate assumptions, yet fit data over intervals long enough to enhances measurement accuracy by reducing measurement noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William H. Wellman, Lee M. Savage, John T. Broad
  • Patent number: 9885774
    Abstract: An approach to localization in an indoor environment makes use of a multiple antenna receiver (e.g., in a smartphone, tablet, camera) and knowledge of locations of one or more radio transmitters, which may be part of a data communication infrastructure providing data communication services to devices in the environment. Successive measurements of transmissions from the transmitters are recorded at the receiver as the device is translated and rotated in the environment. Rotation related measurements are also made at the device. The radio frequency and rotation related measurements are used to infer the location and orientation, together referred to as the pose, of the device. Phase synchronization of the transmitters and the receiver are not required. In general, accuracy of the pose estimate far exceeds that achievable using radio frequency measurements without taking into consideration motion of the device, and far exceeds that achievable using the inertial measurements alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Swarun Suresh Kumar, Stephanie Gil, Dina Katabi, Daniela Rus
  • Patent number: 9869749
    Abstract: A system and method to generate a three-dimensional mapping of an arrangement of tubular components are described. The tubular components include one or more straight pipes and one or more bent segments connected at interfaces. The system includes a plurality of electronically readable identifiers, each electronically readable identifier being disposed in proximity to one of the interfaces of two of the tubular components and each side of the interface comprising at least one RFID chip. The system also includes a reader to receive a signal from each of the plurality of electronically readable identifiers in turn and a processor to process a position of the reader and each of the signals to generate the three-dimensional mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Roland Illerhaus
  • Patent number: 9860695
    Abstract: Techniques for supporting periodic and other location services with Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) and other location architectures are described. The techniques can provide position estimates for a SUPL enabled terminal (SET) to a SUPL agent periodically and/or based on trigger events. A Home SUPL Location Platform (H-SLP) receives from the SUPL agent a request for position estimates for the SET. The H-SLP starts a SUPL location session with the SET. For each of at least one reporting event during the location session, the H-SLP obtains a position estimate for the SET and sends the position estimate to the SUPL agent. The position estimate may be derived by the SET and sent to the H-SLP. Alternatively, the position estimate may be derived by the H-SLP based on measurements from the SET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Andreas Wachter, Stephen William Edge, Kirk Allan Burroughs