Abstract: An antenna assembly configured to transmit terrestrial positioning signals from a relay platform having a frame of reference, the transmit being in at least a first mode with a radiating pattern having at least a main lobe having a narrow aperture in a plane and a wide aperture in a plane. A relay platform comprising a receiver of a synchronization signal, a transmitter of positioning signals to an area of service comprising a number of rovers, and an antenna assembly configured to produce a radiating pattern adapted to transmit the positioning signals as a function of the environment of the relay platform and the rovers. In a number of embodiments the relay platforms may be organized in a network of platforms, possibly of masters and slaves that receive feed-back from the rovers in the AoS so as to optimize the configuration of the antenna elements dynamically to optimize the QoS of positioning based on a number of selected quality indexes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foldable/deployable structure (1) comprising: —a mast (4) which can be deployed along a longitudinal deployment axis, the mast being designed to be placed either in a folded state requiring little axial installation space, or in a deployed state having a predetermined shape, —a base (10) upon which the deployable mast (4) is rested, the structure (1, 2) further comprising a bracing device, the bracing device: —having at least three points for attachment to the base (10) and at least three points for attachment to the mast (4), the bracing device connecting the base to the mast; —being designed to limit the transverse movements of the mast relative to the base (10) at least when the mast (4) is in a deployed state, and; —comprising at least one connecting member (22, 42, 60) chosen from the group formed by fabrics, non-woven fabrics and ties, the ties being chosen from the group formed by monofilaments, cables, bundles and strips; the structure (1, 2) being characterised in that it c

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for locating an object on a surface waveguide. The surface waveguide is made of one or more 1D wires and/or 2D waveguides comprising conductive elements arranged in patterns. Emitters with known positions can couple with receivers coupled with the surface waveguide. The position of receivers can be determined, for example by multilateration or signal strength indication. Conductive elements can be sprayed or sewed or otherwise deposited onto surfaces such as a ground floor, a sidewalk or a road lane. Described developments comprise the use of absorbers, protective layers, unidirectional emitters, contactless coupling, and various arrangements comprising frequency-selective layers, arrangements in lattices, trellis or anisotropic surfaces. Signal processing aspects and software embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An add-on device configured to reduce the power level of reflected paths of GNSS signals reaching a GNSS receiver's antenna, the associated GNSS receiver set, some equipment embedding the add-on device, and the associated method to reduce the power level of reflected GNSS signals are provided. The GNSS signals are transmitted according to a first polarization, and the add-on device comprises a material configured to be transparent to the first polarization and to reflect GNSS signals polarized according to a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.

Abstract: The invention discloses a positioning device configured to acquire its own GNSS position, the GNSS positions of rovers in an area around the positioning device and the relative positions of the positioning device to the rovers. The positioning device is configured to calculate a best-fit position based on this data and their confidence indexes. The positioning devices may communicate directly or through a navigation assistance centre. The best-fit position may be provided with indexes of confidence, availability and integrity. In some embodiments, the positioning device of the invention may be robust enough to generate commands to the driving controls of an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for locating an object on a surface waveguide. The surface waveguide is made of one or more 1D wires and/or 2D waveguides comprising conductive elements arranged in patterns. Emitters with known positions can couple with receivers coupled with the surface waveguide. The position of receivers can be determined, for example by multilateration or signal strength indication. Conductive elements can be sprayed or sewed or otherwise deposited onto surfaces such as a ground floor, a sidewalk or a road lane. Described developments comprise the use of absorbers, protective layers, unidirectional emitters, contactless coupling, and various arrangements comprising frequency-selective layers, arrangements in lattices, trellis or anisotropic surfaces. Signal processing aspects and software embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multilayer electromagnetic waveguide that includes a plurality of layers forming guide channels for an electromagnetic wave, and at least one transition device including at least one dielectric layer between two guide channels, referred to as coupled guide channels, extending as an extension. Each transition device includes at least one adaptation channel extending in a longitudinal direction, and each adaptation channel is defined by two electrically conductive walls. At least one wall extends along the dielectric spacer layer from one end of the coupled guide channel, over a length suitable for optimizing the transmission of an electromagnetic wave between the two coupled guide channels.

Abstract: An antenna assembly configured to transmit terrestrial positioning signals from a relay platform having a frame of reference, the transmit being in at least a first mode with a radiating pattern having at least a main lobe having a narrow aperture in a plane and a wide aperture in a plane. A relay platform comprising a receiver of a synchronization signal, a transmitter of positioning signals to an area of service comprising a number of rovers, and an antenna assembly configured to produce a radiating pattern adapted to transmit the positioning signals as a function of the environment of the relay platform and the rovers. In a number of embodiments the relay platforms may be organized in a network of platforms, possibly of masters and slaves that receive feed-back from the rovers in the AoS so as to optimize the configuration of the antenna elements dynamically to optimize the QoS of positioning based on a number of selected quality indexes.

Abstract: An add-on device configured to reduce the power level of reflected paths of GNSS signals reaching a GNSS receiver's antenna, the associated GNSS receiver set, some equipment embedding the add-on device, and the associated method to reduce the power level of reflected GNSS signals are provided. The GNSS signals are transmitted according to a first polarization, and the add-on device comprises a material configured to be transparent to the first polarization and to reflect GNSS signals polarized according to a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver, and an associated method are presented for calculating a position from positioning signals transmitted by a plurality of GNSS transmitters. For example the receiver compsises a first and a second signal acquisition elements having different polarizations, the receiver being configured to process the signals received on the first signal acquisition element to calculate first pseudo range measurements, and the signals received on the second signal acquisition element to calculate second pseudo range measurements and associated quality indicators. The receiver further comprises a calculation circuit configured to select at least one of the second pseudo range measurements depending on the quality indicators, and compare it with the corresponding first pseudo range measurement, and select at least three first pseudo range measurements based on the comparison results to calculate a position.

Abstract: The invention discloses an antenna assembly comprising one or more sensors, possibly a fish-eye camera which produces images of the sky above the antenna, said images being processed to identify open sky and occulted sky areas, said identification being used to generate an antenna gain pattern shape wherein null zones are placed on the occulted sky areas, so as to eliminate the GNSS signals which are affected by multipath reflection. The antenna assembly of the invention may be used with any GNSS receiver of the prior art. No specific data on the location of the receiver or its orientation is needed to perform the method of the invention, while in some embodiments, it may be useful to send some information on the number of satellites in view in the open sky.

Abstract: The invention discloses a constellation of relay vehicles comprising a receiver of navigation signals and a transmitter of positioning signals to an area of service where a number of rovers manoeuver, wherein the position of the relay vehicle may be adjusted to optimize one or more of an SNR or a DOP index of the positioning signals. In some embodiments, the optimal configuration of the constellation of relay vehicles may be further defined based on priority indexes allocated to the rovers. The invention is applicable to terrestrial or underwater rovers, respectively serviced by aerial or nautical relay vehicles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a multilayer electromagnetic waveguide that includes a plurality of layers forming guide channels for an electromagnetic wave, and at least one transition device including at least one dielectric layer between two guide channels, referred to as coupled guide channels, extending as an extension. Each transition device includes at least one adaptation channel extending in a longitudinal direction, and each adaptation channel is defined by two electrically conductive walls. At least one wall extends along the dielectric spacer layer from one end of the coupled guide channel, over a length suitable for optimizing the transmission of an electromagnetic wave between the two coupled guide channels.

Abstract: A process and a device for measuring intermodulation products by wave reflection on a non-linear object (20), including two electromagnetic sources (24, 25) of distinct focal points emitting fundamental components, and a receiver (28), the process includes a step in which the measuring device is in a configuration so that the receiver (28) produces a signal for a first composition of the enriched wave (23), and a second step in which the measuring device is in a second configuration so that the receiver (28) produces a measuring signal for a second composition of the enriched wave (23).

Abstract: The invention discloses a constellation of relay vehicles comprising a receiver of navigation signals and a transmitter of positioning signals to an area of service where a number of rovers manoeuver, wherein the position of the relay vehicle may be adjusted to optimize one or more of an SNR or a DOP index of the positioning signals. In some embodiments, the optimal configuration of the constellation of relay vehicles may be further defined based on priority indexes allocated to the rovers. The invention is applicable to terrestrial or underwater rovers, respectively serviced by aerial or nautical relay vehicles.

Abstract: The invention refers to a GNSS receiver, and associated method, for calculating a position from positioning signals transmitted by a plurality of GNSS transmitters, said receiver comprising a first and a second signal acquisition elements (301) having different polarizations, the receiver being configured to process the signals received on said first signal acquisition element to calculate first pseudo range measurements (203), and the signals received on said second signal acquisition element to calculate second pseudo range measurements (303) and associated quality indicators (304), said receiver comprising a calculation circuit (306) configured to: select at least one of the second pseudo range measurements depending on the quality indicators, and compare it with the corresponding first pseudo range measurement, and select at least three first pseudo range measurements based on the comparison results to calculate a position (204).

Abstract: The invention discloses an antenna assembly that may be connected to a standard GNSS receiver. The antenna assembly comprises antenna elements that are configured to shape a radiating pattern which is directional in a direction of movement of the GNSS receiver and which has a FOV above the receiver that may be limited. The signals received in LOS will then have a much better C/N0 than the Non-LOS signals. In some embodiments, the FOV may be twisted leftwards or rightwards depending on a configuration of a vehicle carrying the receiver. In some embodiments, the antenna assembly is capable of operating in a plurality of modes that will differ notably by the FOV of the radiating pattern above the receiver. Switching between modes may be triggered manually or automatically and may be based on a determination of the prevalence and/or type of multipath reflections in the area where the rover moves.

Abstract: The invention discloses a positioning device configured to acquire its own GNSS position, the GNSS positions of rovers in an area around the positioning device and the relative positions of the positioning device to the rovers. The positioning device is configured to calculate a best-fit position based on this data and their confidence indexes. The positioning devices may communicate directly or through a navigation assistance centre. The best-fit position may be provided with indexes of confidence, availability and integrity. In some embodiments, the positioning device of the invention may be robust enough to generate commands to the driving controls of an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: The invention discloses an antenna assembly comprising one or more sensors, possibly a fish-eye camera which produces images of the sky above the antenna, said images being processed to identify open sky and occulted sky areas, said identification being used to generate an antenna gain pattern shape wherein null zones are placed on the occulted sky areas, so as to eliminate the GNSS signals which are affected by multi-path reflection. The antenna assembly of the invention may be used with any GNSS receiver of the prior art. No specific data on the location of the receiver or its orientation is needed to perform the method of the invention, while in some embodiments, it may be useful to send some information on the number of satellites in view in the open sky.

Abstract: A process and a device for measuring intermodulation products by wave reflection on a non-linear object (20), including two electromagnetic sources (24, 25) of distinct focal points emitting fundamental components, and a receiver (28), the process includes a step in which the measuring device is in a configuration so that the receiver (28) produces a signal for a first composition of the enriched wave (23), and a second step in which the measuring device is in a second configuration so that the receiver (28) produces a measuring signal for a second composition of the enriched wave (23).