Abstract: A system for locating of objects in a three-dimensional space comprises: (a) an impulse radio network including at least three reference impulse radio units and at least one mobile position indicating apparatus; position information relating the impulse radio units is recorded by at least one indicating impulse radio unit; the impulse radio units are in communication; and (b) an affixing structure for affixing a respective mobile position indicating apparatus with a respective object. A respective mobile position indicating apparatus transmits an impulse radio identifying signal that is received by a receiving impulse radio unit. An indicating impulse radio unit cooperates with the receiving impulse radio unit in using the identifying signal for developing coordinate information for locating the respective mobile position indicating apparatus.

Abstract: Global Position System (GPS) receiver for receiving and processing GPS signals includes cicuitry for receiving and processing Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) signals. To realize simultaneous processing of both DAB and GPS signals, the receiver is provided with a receiver front-end, a mixer stage, filter, and analog-to-digital converter coupled to digital DAB and GPS signal paths. The receiver further includes a DAB signal eliminating device for selectively eliminating DAB signals from the digital GPS signal path.

Abstract: Recently, a smart antenna, i.e., a blind adaptive antenna array, has attracted much attention to suppress multiple access interference (MAI) and multipath signals to improve the capacity of a code division multiple access (CDMA) wireless communications system. Most of the smart antenna algorithms either need matrix computation or complex calculations. In this invented direction-of-arrival (DOA) tracking algorithm only 2M complex multiplications are required per snapshot. Further more the DOA tracking algorithm is not sensitive to the mixer phase distortions. Hence the system complexity is reduced since a separate phase calibration is not required for the DOA tracking algorithm. Also the equivalent DOA tracking error due to the mixer phase distortions is derived. Simulation results show that the DOA tracking algorithm in the present invention works effectively under additive white Gaussian (AWGN) as well as Rayleigh fading environments.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the digital samples associated with each of the array elements arranged along a plurality of parallel lines are shifted by a distinct predetermined number of positions along each of said lines, and the digital samples of each line are added separately. Thereafter, each sum thus obtained is multiplied by a distinct phase coefficient. The signals thus obtained for each beam are all in phase. The lines of array elements that are electronically scanned can be oriented along any direction, and advantageously along one or a plurality of diagonals of the array and the electronic scanning of the array elements can be made separately along odd alternate diagonals and along even alternate diagonals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving data via the intermittent use of a port. One embodiment of the preset invention may first access a signal from a location determining device. Responsive to the signal, a communication port may be automatically activated by system resources. Location information may then be received via the communication port and stored into memory in a format that can be unique to the location determining device. Responsive to the reception of the information, the communication port may be automatically deactivated. Optionally, the data or location information can be translated into a general format readable by all applications that recognize the universal data format, e.g., XML. Application programs that have registered or requested location information may be notified of the receipt of location information.

Abstract: A domed divergent microwave lens includes a plurality of waveguides with various lengths, the greatest length being that on the axis of the lens and the length being shorter for waveguides far from the axis. The axes of the waveguides are all parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the lens, for example.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system may include a substrate and a plurality of phased array antenna elements carried thereby, and a plurality of subarray controllers for controlling respective groups of phased array antenna elements. The phased array antenna system may further include a central controller for generating priority beam control commands and non-priority beam control commands for the subarray controllers, and a communications bus connecting the subarray controllers to the central controller. The central controller may send the priority beam control commands to the subarray controllers via the communications bus on a substantially real time basis with time gaps therebetween. Further, the central controller may also send the non-priority beam control commands to the subarray controllers via the communications bus during the time gaps.

Abstract: A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. In one mode, the cellular telephone operates in its normal mode, whereby its position can be detected by either wap techniques or by GPS techniques. In a second mode of operation, the wap/GPS operation is overridden, so that the position cannot be detected.

Abstract: A navigation system comprises a cell-phone, a base cellular telephone site, and a webserver. Each is paired with a GPS receiver. The GPS receiver associated with the cell-phone is aided with information received from the cell-site and webserver that help reduce satellite search uncertainty. Time difference and/or frequency difference measurements are taken with data collected from what the cell-phone and its GPS receiver assume to be accurate time and frequency. Correction information is used in post-processing of the velocity solutions computed by the cell-phone to arrive at more precise determinations for the system.

Abstract: An integrated split-spectrum pseudolite/satellite base station (SS-PL)/SBS transmitter comprising a satellite base station and a split-spectrum pseudolite (SS-PL) transmitter co-located with the satellite base station. The satellite base station provides a timing synchronization signal. The satellite base station also provides a self-surveying capability for the split-spectrum pseudolite (SS-PL). The split-spectrum pseudolite (SS-PL) generates a split-spectrum sideband signal that minimizes interference with the reception of at least one satellite signal by the satellite base station.

Abstract: A technique of accurately determining the relative position between two points using carrier phase information from receivers capable of making code and carrier phase measurements on signals transmitted from GPS satellites as well as signals transmitted from WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS or other Wide Area Augmentation System satellites (hereafter referred to simply as WAAS satellites). These signals are processed by a receiving system to determine relative position, for the purpose of surveying or otherwise, with the accuracy of carrier phase measurements being obtained. Signal processing similar to that used in existing GPS carrier phase based relative positioning receivers is used with WAAS signals as well. Benefits include faster and more reliable integer ambiguity resolution, protection from cycle slips and loss of sufficient satellites, and possibility of extending the operating range by allowing increased separation of reference and base receivers by incorporating ionospheric models provided by WAAS.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and corresponding method for measuring a pseudorange from a ranging receiver to a beacon (such as a GPS satellite). It determines the time of transmission of a target ranging signal fragment (for which the difference in time between transmission and reception is essentially the pseudorange) even in poor signal conditions when the navigation data of the ranging signal cannot be accurately decoded by the ranging receiver. It is based on making either an estimate of the start time for the particular information element of the ranging signal (usually a navigation data bit) beginning just before the target ranging signal fragment (if the quality of the ranging signal allows such an estimate to be made), or (in any case) based on making an estimate of the time corresponding to the start of the code epoch of the ranging signal that just precedes the target ranging signal fragment.

Abstract: A bi-static radar configuration measures the time-of-flight of an RF burst using differentially-configured sampling receivers. A precise differential measurement is made by simultaneously sampling a reference signal line and a free-space time-of-flight RF burst signal using separate sampling receivers having common sample timing. Two alternative sample timing systems may be used with the sampling receivers: (1) a swept delay using a delay locked loop (DLL), or (2) two precision oscillators slightly offset in frequency from each other. The receiver outputs are processed into a PWM signal to indicate antenna-to-antenna time-of-flight range or to indicate material properties. Applications include robotics, safety, material thickness measurement, material dielectric constant measurement, such as for fuel or grain moisture measurement, and through-tank fill-level measurement.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus (and corresponding innate method) comprises an array of antenna elements each having a phase center. An “observable signal” that contains a low-frequency component and a high-frequency component is generated. The high-frequency component is summed with the signal received by each antenna element near its phase center, forming a plurality of sum signals. These are fed into a signal processing arrangement that processes these signals with the low frequency component of the observable signal, including analog to digital conversion to (i) remove the high frequency component of the observable signal, (ii) normalize the effects of the signal transfer characteristics on the digital sum signals, (iii) synchronously re-sample the digital sum signals, and (iv) differentially time-reference each digital sum signal to the phase center of the corresponding antenna element. The thusly, processed digital signals are combined into a single composite signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods, apparatuses, and systems for eliminating auto- and cross-correlation in weak signal CDMA systems, such as GPS systems. The invention uses parallel data paths that allow standard correlation of signals in parallel with verification of the lock signal to determine whether the system has locked onto the proper signal within the scanned signal window. The invention can be made with multiple CPUs, a single CPU with dual input modes, on multiple IC chips, or as a single IC chip solution for small, low cost reception, downconversion, correlation, and verification systems.

Abstract: A first global position signal receiver (GPS receiver), at an undefined location, receives first global position signal data (GPS Data) from global position satellites, in orbit above the earth. The first signal data defines a first location for the first receiver, however, the location defined is inaccurate, with respect to the actual location of the first receiver. A second GPS receiver, spaced from the first GPS receiver, at a second undefined location, receives second GPS Data from the satellites. The second GPS Data defines a second location for the second GPS receiver, the location defined being inaccurate with respect to the actual location of the second receiver. The first GPS Data and the second GPS Data are applied to a computer programmed to combine both signal data mathematically and to calculate the difference between the two GPS Data. The difference between the two data defines a distance and a direction between the first defined location and the second defined location.

Abstract: A method and a system for an array antenna calibration are disclosed. The method and system provide a sensor system presenting a sensor device at each antenna element, which sensor devices include digital receivers. Each digital receiver produces a complex base-band I/Q-signal. The outputs of the digital receivers are fed to a Digital Signal Processing device for adding them up to obtain a resulting signal which when converted to a DC signal presents a maximum if all individual signals have the same phase. The search for a maximum of this DC voltage is then used by the Digital Signal Processor for creating source signal phase control signals. By adjusting source signal phases for obtaining maximum added DC voltage derived from the sensor system the phases at the antenna elements will be calibrated.

Abstract: In order to find the position of a communications device, this communications device receives position data (2-7) together with associated position accuracies (8). In order to determine optimum positions (3, 5, 7), the communications device stores a number of such most recently received. position data items whose position accuracy (8) is better than a predetermined position accuracy. It is thus possible, for example in the event of an emergency, to find the location of the communications device more exactly, and define the rescue route more exactly.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for providing GPS users with a high level of confidence in the integrity and accuracy of received GPS signals. A first GPS satellite broadcasts a GPS navigation message to GPS users in view of the satellite. The first GPS satellite also sends a copy of the GPS navigation message to a second GPS satellite via an RF or optical crosslink. The second GPS satellite then determines the position and time of the first GPS satellite relative to the second GPS satellite based on the contents of the received GPS navigation message. The second GPS satellite compares this relative position and time to satellite position and time data stored in the second GPS satellite, such as ephemeris/almanac data received from a ground station or Autonav data. The second GPS satellite thereby checks whether the GPS navigation message received from the first GPS satellite has integrity. The second GPS satellite then sends an integrity message back to the first GPS satellite via a crosslink.

Abstract: A signal transmission system comprising a transmitter, a rotating transmitting antenna connected to the transmitter, a receiver, and a receiving antenna connected to the receiver. A controller connected to the transmitter is adapted to control the transmitter based upon a location of the receiving antenna relative to the transmitting antenna. The controller is also adapted to limit a transmission of signals from the transmitter to when a predetermined beam pattern of the transmitting antenna is at least partially aligned with the receiving antenna.