Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining an integrity indicating parameter (e.g. an integrity risk IR or a protection level PL) indicating the integrity of positioning information determined from positioning information signals disseminated from a plurality of space vehicles SAT1, SAT2, SAT3 of a global positioning system. An input parameter (e.g. an alert limit AL or an integrity risk IR) is provided, a plurality of integrity information parameters (?SISA, ?SISMA or equivalent, ?X, kX) are received, and the integrity indicating parameter (IR; PL) is determined on the basis of the input parameter (AL; IR) and on the basis of a first relation between the integrity indicating parameter (IR; PL) and the input parameter (AL; IR) and the plurality of integrity information parameters (?SISA, ?SISMA or equivalent, ?X, kX).

Abstract: A location-information discrimination method and device are provided that can accurately discriminate between locations of a mobile terminal in keeping with an actual environment. A discrimination value calculator calculates a discrimination value that is dependent on the amount of a change, from a predetermined value, in the received power of a radio signal received by a mobile terminal from a base station and on the duration of that change in the received power. The determination section compares the discrimination value with a predetermined value, thereby determining whether the mobile terminal is located indoors or outdoors.

Abstract: Method for determining navigation parameters of an aircraft, characterized in that it consists at least in determining the geographic speed {right arrow over (V)}, expressed in a given local fixed coordinate system {{right arrow over (i)}, {right arrow over (j)}, {right arrow over (k)}}, based on the measurements m, of carrier phase increments ??i of the radio navigation signals originating from a plurality of radio navigation satellites in sight of said aircraft, each of said measurements mi constituting an estimate of the relative speed of said aircraft relative to said satellite projected onto the sight axis linking the aircraft to the satellite, each of said measurements m, being compensated by the apparent radial speed of the satellite.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for using location-based information to determine whether to perform a ranging procedure. A change in location of a device is identified. The identified change in location represents the distance the device has moved during an interval between ranging procedures. The identified change in location is analyzed to determine whether the change exceeds a threshold distance. If the change in location does not satisfy the threshold distance, a change in a signal quality metric of the device from the location associated with the previously performed ranging procedure to the current location is identified. The identified change in signal quality metric is analyzed to determine whether the change exceeds a threshold value. If the change in location of the device is less than the threshold distance and the change in the signal quality metric is less than the threshold value, the next scheduled ranging procedure is bypassed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring spatial movements of plant structures, such as pipes, due for example to movement of the ground in presence of landslide phenomena, subsidence, collapse, or differential settling. The measuring apparatus includes at least one ground station that communicates with at least one corresponding signal-sending satellite station, the ground station being connected in a movable manner to a support constrainable in a fixed manner to the plant structure, the ground structure having an initial azimuthal orientation and an initial azimuthal height. The ground station is moved with respect to the support via a mechanism for adjusting the orientation and height of the same to compensate for an instantaneous orientation and height that are different from the initial orientation and height.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.

Abstract: At a current position, a measurement packet is determined by a mobile terminal device at a measurement time. The measurement packet includes transmitter identifications of radio transmitters receivable at the current position of the mobile terminal device at the measurement time. By means of reference measurement packets provided to the mobile terminal device, the mobile terminal device itself can determine its current position. Additionally, a deviation of the determined transmitter identifications of the measurement packet from reference transmitter identifications of the reference measurement packets is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods that may be implemented to determine the location of an emitter of electromagnetic radiation having an unknown location, using a cooperative TDOA-based location methodology. The cooperative TDOA-based location methodology (e.g., such as TDOA/TDOA, TDOA/FDOA, etc.) may be implemented using at least one cooperative transmitter that transmits a cooperative electromagnetic (EM) signal from a known location that is received at multiple different EM sensing platforms that are also each of known location. The known geolocation of the cooperative transmitter may be used to resolve the signal arrival timing relationships between the different sensing platforms that is utilized to determine the location of another EM transmitter of unknown location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a satellite-based navigation signal receiver to support multiple types of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). A legacy GNSS receiver can support a plurality of GNSS types by software upgrade and with a new/modified radio frequency (RF) chip. There is no need to completely redesign a navigation host chip to support the multiple GNSS types. This invention offers a cost-efficient multi-GNSS solution without sacrificing the navigation performance. A GNSS baseband controller controls synchronization of measurement time for digitized data along a first signal processing path for a legacy GNSS signal and a second signal processing path for a non-legacy GNSS signal.

Abstract: An RFID localization system includes RFID tags positioned at known locations in a local frame of reference. Each RFID tag generates an RF signal indicative of its unique identity. RF antennas are mounted on a mobile vehicle at known positions/orientations relative to a reference point thereon. Each antenna has a range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith and detects each RF signal generated by any of the RFID tags within its range-bounded field-of-view. A processor coupled to the antennas stores information to include (i) each of the known locations of the RFID tags along with their unique identification, (ii) each known position and orientation of the antennas, and (iii) each range-bounded field-of-view associated with each antenna. The processor implements an evolutionary optimization scheme using the stored information based on each RF signal so-detected in order to determine a position and orientation of the mobile vehicle in the local frame of reference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from signals of GNSS satellites observed at reference station receivers, the data representing code observations and carrier observations on each of at least two carriers over multiple epochs, comprising: obtaining an orbit start vector comprising: a time sequence of predicted positions and predicted velocities for each satellite over a first interval, and the partial derivatives of the predicted positions and predicted velocities with respect to initial positions, initial velocities, force model parameters and Earth orientation parameters, obtaining ionospheric-free linear combinations of the code observations and the carrier observations for each satellite at multiple reference stations, and iteratively correcting the orbit start vector using at each epoch the ionospheric-free linear combinations and predicted Earth orientation parameters, as soon as the ionospheric-free linear combinations of the epoch are available, to ob

Abstract: Navigation system receiver, and test circuits and methods for determining drift profile of a receiver clock in the navigation system receiver are disclosed. In an embodiment, the navigation system receiver includes a clock source configured to generate a receiver clock for the navigation system receiver and a test circuit. The test circuit is configured to facilitate determination of a drift profile associated with the receiver clock based on detection and tracking of a test signal received by the test circuit, where the test signal comprises at least one continuous wave (CW) signal.

Abstract: A method is presented to extend a frequency lock range of a received RF signal in a satellite receiver. One step in the method includes analyzing data information of a preamble associated with the received satellite RF signal. Another step includes determining an estimated frequency value that is a function of the analyzed data information that further includes at least a portion of the frequency error formed therein. A further step includes comparing the determined estimated frequency value to a predetermined threshold value. Another step includes using the determined estimated frequency value when the determined frequency value is greater than the predetermined threshold value to operatively control tracking mode electronic circuitry disposed in the satellite receiver to attain frequency lock on the received satellite RF signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for increasing the reliability of location data received from a container monitoring unit. According to a first embodiment, the system includes a GPS mesh network device to communicate with existing GPS devices and a remote monitoring station which receives data from unit devices applying back-end analysis for determining the most accurate and robust geo-location for each unit. The present invention provides a method to coordinate analysis of data to improve determination of the exact location and status of assets. This increased visibility will enable the customer to pinpoint the real time location of a single box more. This level of real time asset management translates into greater operational efficiency and performance, cost reductions, and improved safety and security.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for merging detection information produced by various sensors of a detection system formed by a passive radar system including various bistatic bases and by an external sensor. The method includes two processing phases. During the first phase, for each bistatic base of the passive radar bistatic plots produced by that bistatic base are first merged with bistatic plots produced on the basis of plots transmitted by the external sensor and projected into the bistatic base concerned. Then, by associating all the bistatic bases, bistatic tracking is applied to the merged bistatic plots and unmerged bistatic plots coming from the external sensor. During the second phase a cartesian tracking is generated on the basis of bistatic plots that contributed to forming the bistatic tracks.

Abstract: A satellite navigation receiver and method for enhancing time to first fix are provided. The receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) translator, correlator blocks, and a navigation data processor. The RF translator conditions navigation signals over carrier frequencies. The correlator blocks comprise a predetermined number of correlator channels configured for the carrier frequencies. The predetermined number of correlator channels is divided for parallel collection of sub-frames of navigation data across one or more operation service codes. The sub-frames of navigation data are collected across one or more operation service codes and on one of the carrier frequencies. The sub-frames of navigation data are collected across the carrier frequencies and on one of the operation service codes. The sub-frames of navigation data are collected across the carrier frequencies and across the operation service codes.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position obtaining unit obtaining position information by receiving a GPS signal, a second position obtaining unit obtaining position information based on information obtained from a plurality of peripheral base stations, a position information obtainment determining unit determining whether or not the first position obtaining unit obtains position information, a movement detection unit detecting a movement of the first position obtaining unit, a first ON and OFF state control unit controlling ON and OFF states of the first position obtaining unit, a second ON and OFF state control unit controlling ON and OFF states of the second position obtaining unit, a monitor cycle control unit controlling a monitor cycle that the first position obtaining unit obtains position information, and an output unit selecting and outputting one piece of position information obtained by the first position obtaining unit and the second position obtaining unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a die with through-silicon vias and radio frequency integrated circuit capabilities and it is vertically integrated with a phased-array antenna substrate. The through-silicon via and a radio frequency integrated circuit is coupled to a plurality of antenna elements disposed on the phased-array antenna substrate where each of the plurality of antenna elements is coupled to the through-silicon vias and radio frequency integrated circuit through a plurality of through-silicon vias. A process of assembling the through-silicon vias and radio frequency integrated circuit to the phased-array antenna substrate includes testing the apparatus.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement, a system, and method are provided for implementing a wireless communication module capable of performing adaptive beam forming, with a small antenna sail area. The antenna has a large horizontal to vertical aspect ratio. The antenna module is designed to include very few, or potentially a single radiating element in the vertical direction, and many elements in the horizontal direction, in order to create narrow beam in the azimuth plane, while maintaining a small sail area. The novel form factor advantageously provides for reduced wind loading, and for less conspicuous installations on buildings or towers, for example. The module is anticipated to find widespread applications in LOS and NLOS backhaul applications, and other wireless links between stationary nodes.

Abstract: A satellite radio receiver includes: an acquisition unit for setting one reception frequency in turn at a first frequency interval over a first frequency range, allowing a processor to acquire a signal having the reception frequency as digital data having a first bit number, and detecting the satellite signals based on a result of predetermined processes with the digital data; and a specifying unit for, in response to detection of satellite signals by the acquisition unit, concurrently setting predetermined number of reception frequencies in turn at a second frequency interval narrower than the first frequency interval, allowing the processor to acquire the respective signals having the reception frequencies as digital data having a second bit number smaller than the first bit number, and specifying reception frequencies of the satellite signals based on the result of the predetermined processes concurrently executed with the predetermined number of digital data.