Abstract: A method for detecting lock slip using inertial information is provided. The method involves an epoch comparison of a predicted delta phase range with a measured delta phase range. The predicted delta phase range is calculated by subtracting a previous inertial solution from a current inertial solution. The measured delta phase range is calculated by subtracting a previous carrier phase measurement from a current carrier phase measurement. If a difference between the predicted delta phase range and the measured delta phase range is greater than a threshold amount, a lock slip is declared. The method allows for lock slip detection in Global Positioning System (GPS) attitude determinations without relying on a lock slip notification from the GPS.

Abstract: A system and method for central association and tracking for PCL applications is disclosed. Detection reports are received at a target tracking processing system. The detection reports include measurements correlating to line tracks associated with target echoes in earlier processing operations. In addition, other information, such as parameters and observables, are received by the target track processing system. The target track processing system performs a line track association function and a track filtering function on the line tracks according to the measurements within the detection reports. These operations also predict and estimate target parameters for tracking. Target parameters are extrapolated from the propagated and updated target tracks, and fed to a display for a user, or back into the PCL system for further processing.

Abstract: A method for determining positioning relative to utility lines. A first step involves providing a global positioning apparatus. A second step involves providing a processing unit with a display. The processing unit has stored in memory at least one geographical map depicting positioning of at least one utility line. A third step involves transferring data received from the global positioning apparatus to the processing unit and displaying on the display the positioning of the mobile machine relative to the at least one utility line on the at least one geographical map.

Abstract: A system for utilizing two positioning and navigation systems in a single unit which may be used within sight of earth-orbiting GNSS satellites as well as behind a line-of-sight barrier obstructing the earth-orbiting satellites. A mobile receiver/processor includes a GNSS receiver which receives and develops navigation and position information from the signals transmitted by the system of earth-orbiting satellites. The receiver/processor also includes a TM-UWB receiver capable of receiving transmissions from a group of at least three ground-based beacons stationed at precise known locations, each of which independently transmits a distinct TM-UWB signal, including location information. The receiver/processor is provided with programmable memory which holds coordinates of the space where the receiver/processor will be moveable which is behind the line-of-sight barrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measurement processing of Satellite Positioning System (SPS) signals. A plurality of SPS signals from a corresponding plurality of SPS satellites are received in an SPS receiver. The signal environment corresponding to the location in which the SPS receiver is located is characterized to produce signal environment data. In one exemplary embodiment, an information source, such as a cellular network based database, is searched to retrieve the signal environment data given an approximate location of the GPS receiver. This approximate location may be specified by a location of a cell site which is in cellular radio communication with a cellular communication device which is co-located with the GPS receiver. One or more parameters related to signal characteristics of the satellite signals are defined. Threshold values for the parameters are determined using the signal environment data.

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: An information system for providing services including traffic and navigation services, as well as other information services to a driver. One versions of the system makes use of existing components of a wireless telephone system, for example, by using the input and output capabilities of a telephone handset. Another version is a portable system that includes multiple switches for initiating access to a remote server in one of a number of operating modes. For instance the system has switches for initiating traffic information, roadside assistance, personal information, or emergency modes. The system includes a positioning system for generating position data related to a geographic location of the system, and a wireless communication device. The system also includes an audio output device, such as a speaker for presenting the received information. The system can also include a storage for a unique identification of the information system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam forming network of an active antenna with deployable sub-arrays. According to the invention, the network receives information on deformation of the relative position of two panels. Establishing the coherence of the signals takes account of this information to restore the received signals. The invention also provides a spacecraft including the above kind of network and further provides a beam forming method. The invention also provides a system including a craft of the above kind and at least one beacon transmitter station.

Abstract: A method of guiding a vehicle in adjacent swaths across terrain that may slope comprising the steps of: (1) determining the tilt of the vehicle with respect to Earth due to a slope of the terrain; (2) determining the position with respect to Earth of a predetermined location that is fixed relative to the vehicle; and (3) using the tilt and position determinations to provide information for guiding the vehicle to prevent gaps and overlaps between adjacent swaths as the slope changes.

Abstract: An antenna array includes two pairs of linear polarized antennas mounted to a perimeter portion of an airframe with one pair having a polarization normal to the airframe and the other pair having a polarization tangential to the airframe. The antenna array eliminates the cross-polarization problem of an electromagnetic wave incident upon the array when using linear polarized perimeter mounted antennas.

Abstract: A privacy enhancement device for electronic device such as a cellular telephone. The privacy enhancement device may include a jammer which may produces false information, e.g. false information indicative of pseudo ranges. In addition, the navigation information used on the position detecting device may be locally stored versions of dynamically changing information. The navigation operation may be carried out using a Web service.

Abstract: A system for tracking objects outdoors. Tags attached to objects such as trailers include GPS receivers. Tags transmit uncorrected position and satellite data to a base station, where differential corrections are applied, providing 2-5 meter accuracy of the position of the tag and object. Tags are on a low duty cycle. When a tag powers on, it receives accurate time and current satellite data from the base station, enabling the tags to acquire the satellite signal quickly and with minimum power consumption. When a tag is out of base station range, the tag periodically calculates and archives its position. The tag may also include Real Time Locating Systems technology, to enable tracking to continue when the tag moves indoors and becomes inaccessible to GPS satellite signals.

Abstract: An impulse radio system estimates a separation distance between an impulse radio transmitter and an impulse radio receiver. The system includes an impulse transmitter that transmits an impulse signal having an ultra-wideband frequency characteristic. An impulse receiver spaced from the transmitter receives the transmitted impulse signal and measures a signal strength of the received impulse signal. The receiver estimates the separation distance based on the measured signal strength. The receiver classifies a signal propagational/multipath environment using the received impulse signal, and then selects a radio propagation path loss model corresponding to a classified multipath environment. The receiver translates the measured signal strength to a separation distance based on the selected radio propagation path loss model.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) receiver (102) has a reference oscillator (114) for use in synthesizing signals for use in receiving and acquiring GPS satellite signals by a GPS downconverter (110). Upon manufacture of the receiver (204), the receiver is tested and a factory frequency offset of the oscillator is determined (206). It has been found that the heat used in reflowing the solder used to attach receiver components causes the operating frequency of oscillator devices, such as crystals, to shift considerably. In addition, during a brief period after manufacture of the receiver, the frequency of the oscillator shifts back towards its original operating frequency, and so much so that the narrow search window used to search for a GPS carrier is inadequate, and it is likely that the receiver would not locate the desired carrier signal.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the bearing of an incoming RF signal. The signal is received using a plurality of primary antenna element (5). Each antenna element feeds into a respective receiving channel (6) that downconverts the received RF signal to IF, preferably by mixing with a local oscillator signal. The local oscillator signal may be produced by diverting and combining portions of the received RF signals, by receiving the incoming RF signal using one or more auxiliary antennas (11), or by a tunable oscillator. Preferably, the local oscillator signal is conditioned and filtered before mixing. The IF signals are processed, either by analog or digital means, to infer the bearing of the incoming RF signal.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus (10) configured for removably coupling with and providing navigational capabilities to a portable, handheld computing device (12). The navigation apparatus (10) includes a navigation receiver (26) for receiving navigation signals from a plurality of sources; a processor (24) coupled with the navigation receiver (26) for determining a location of the navigation apparatus (10) as a function of the received navigation signals; and an interface/connector (44). The interface/connector (44) is either a Secure Digital slot connector or a Compact Flash slot connector. Location data stored in the navigation apparatus (10) and data representative of the location determined by the navigation apparatus (10) may be delivered from the processor (24) to the handheld computing device (12) so that it may be displayed and used by a user of the device (12).

Abstract: A wireless navigational system and process utilize multipath wireless signals normally discarded from the navigation solution to enhance navigational performance under a range of operational scenarios. A relationship between the receiver's location and one or more multipath signals is established, facilitating subsequent navigation using the multipath signal(s).

Abstract: In a method of co-operative radio direction-finding in transmission in a system of radio direction-finding for a radiocommunications system comprising one or more transmission sources or transmitters, the transmitted signal comprises a reference sequence formed by a sequence of symbols {Sk}, the receiver comprising at least one array of several sensors coupled to a radio direction-finder. The method comprises the following steps: a) determining the reference signal or signals di(t) associated with a transmitter m from the reference symbols {Sk} and from the modulation defined by the format of the signals; b) defining the instant of arrival tk of one or more reference signals; c) from the signal x(t) received at the sensors, the instants of arrival tk and the reference signal or signals di(t) derived from the step a), determining the value or values of incidence of the signals for a given transmitter. The method can be applied to GSM or UMTS signals.

Abstract: The GPS-receiver with emergency communication channel, intended for message passing about emergency situations, containing the known design of the radio navigational receiver working in the GPS system, into which the unit of determination of deviation of a signal frequency of the base generator from a nominal value is in addition entered, whose first input is connected to an output of the base generator, the second input is connected by the signal bus to the appropriate output of the unit of transmission and reception of the messages on communication channel, and output—with means of data storage about deviation of a signal frequency of the base generator from a nominal value in the memory unit of the navigational processor for control of the signal processor and unit of correlation processing in searching for signals.

Abstract: In a system for determining a precise orbit of a satellite, a satellite control system includes a tracking, telemetry and command module for receiving telemetry data from the satellite, tracking the satellite, and performing link to the satellite; a satellite operations sub module for extracting L1 carrier phase data by processing the telemetry data, monitoring the satellite, generating telecommand data, and controlling the satellite; and a mission analysis and planning subsystem for determining the precise orbit of the satellite using the L1 carrier phase data collected by a satellite, L1/L2 carrier phase data of the reference ground stations of the GPS satellites collected by an IGS, and a path error caused by the ionosphere of data, and analyzing and planning a mission of the satellite.