Fixed Course Or Bearing Indicating Patents (Class 342/407)
  • Patent number: 11846717
    Abstract: Systems and methods for angle of arrival determination in wireless devices include one or more processors which determine a first angle of arrival (AoA) and a first distance between a user device and an anchor device at a first time instance, according to first measurements between a single ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna of the user device and a plurality of UWB antennas of the anchor device. The processor(s) may determine a second AoA and a second distance between the user device and the anchor device at a second time instance, according to second measurements between the single UWB antenna of the user device and the plurality of UWB antennas of the anchor device. The processor(s) may determine a direction of movement of the user device relative to the anchor device, according to the first AoA, the first distance, the second AoA, and the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Horacio Aldana, Ardavan Maleki Tehrani
  • Patent number: 11521158
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first device of a transportation provider, a device ID of a particular device of a user and purchase information regarding a purchase, by the user, of one or more goods or services. The method includes sending, by the first device, the device ID of the particular user device to a central server. The method includes receiving, by the first device from the central server, information regarding the particular user device. The method includes determining, by the first device, a selected transportation vehicle based on the purchase information and the information regarding the particular user device. The method includes sending, by the first device, a vehicle ID of the selected transportation vehicle to the central server. The method includes providing a transportation service to the user using the particular user device and the selected transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donna K. Byron, Carmine M. DiMascio, Benjamin L. Johnson, Jacquelyn A. Martino, Florian Pinel
  • Patent number: 11323975
    Abstract: An operation method of a first UE in a communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting to a second UE a an SL-SSB in an omni-directional scheme and transmitting the SL-SSB in a beamforming scheme when a response message for the SL-SSB transmitted in the omni-directional scheme is not received from the second UE. Additionally, sidelink communication with the second UE according to the beamforming scheme when a response message for the SL-SSB transmitted in the beamforming scheme is received from the second UE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Su Han Choi, Gene Beck Hahn
  • Patent number: 11144869
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a first device of a transportation provider, a device ID of a particular device of a user and purchase information regarding a purchase, by the user, of one or more goods or services. The method includes sending, by the first device, the device ID of the particular user device to a central server. The method includes receiving, by the first device from the central server, information regarding the particular user device. The method includes determining, by the first device, a selected transportation vehicle based on the purchase information and the information regarding the particular user device. The method includes sending, by the first device, a vehicle ID of the selected transportation vehicle to the central server. The method includes providing a transportation service to the user using the particular user device and the selected transportation vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donna K. Byron, Carmine M. DiMascio, Benjamin L. Johnson, Jacquelyn A. Martino, Florian Pinel
  • Patent number: 11093888
    Abstract: Delivery area guidance may be provided to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivering a package to a customer. For example, a UAV may be programmed to fly to a delivery area. When the UAV approaches the delivery area, the UAV may send a signal that it has a package for the customer. A delivery area guidance (DAG) device associated with the customer may receive the signal and project a visible landing marker to guide the UAV to a designated delivery location. The DAG device may monitor motion near the designated delivery location, indicate existence of obstacles, and/or notify inhabitance of the approach of the UAV and/or receipt of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Daniel Sibon
  • Patent number: 11030868
    Abstract: A mat includes a receiving surface, a transceiver, and a computer. The computer is programmed to cause the transceiver to transmit a beacon, including one or both of a mat identifier and location, upon detecting an approaching delivery vehicle. The computer is programmed to, upon detecting placement of an object on the receiving surface, transmit a confirmation message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette L. Huebner, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • Patent number: 10913532
    Abstract: A precision landing system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a beacon is provided. A processor of the UAV controls a flight system of the UAV to fly the UAV. The processor detects, via a sensor of the UAV, a signal emitted by a beacon. The processor controls the flight system of the UAV to land on or near the beacon. The processor also energizes one or more electromagnets on a cradle of the UAV to retrieve the beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Carthew, Aditya Singh
  • Patent number: 10727586
    Abstract: A communicate device includes transmitters and a receiver. The first transmitter is coupled to a first 90° phase shifter that is also coupled to a first antenna, and to a second 90° phase shifter that is also coupled to a first node. The second transmitter is coupled to a third 90° phase shifter that is also coupled to a second antenna, and to a fourth 90° phase shifter that is also coupled to the first node. The receiver is coupled to a fifth 90° phase shifter that is also coupled to the first antenna, and to a sixth 90° phase shifter that is also coupled to the second antenna. A non-reciprocal element, coupled between the receiver and the first node, provides a 90° phase shift from the receiver to the first node and a ?90° phase shift from the first node to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Parham Porsandeh Khial, Seyed Mohammadreza Fatemi, Alexander D. White, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Patent number: 10396859
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for wirelessly transmitting power characterized by confirming the location of a receiver and transmitting wireless power to the confirmed location. More particularly, the apparatus for wirelessly transmitting power includes a beamformer configured to form beams with a first width and sequentially transmit the formed beams with the first width to different spaces that are physically separated from each other and at least partially overlap; a reception part configured to receive reception power values corresponding to the transmitted beams with the first width; a calculator configured to calculate a phase of the receiver using a plurality of high reception power values based on magnitudes of the received reception power values; and an estimator configured to estimate a location of the receiver based on the calculated receiver phase, wherein wireless power is transmitted to the estimated receiver location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Een Kee Hong, Jae Wan Park
  • Patent number: 10341160
    Abstract: The embodiments of the disclosure introduce a novel receiver having a smart listening mode for reducing the current consumption of a receiver while waiting for a data packet. In the smart listening mode, the receiver temporarily disables one signal path of a quadrature signal (e.g., I or Q path) until the receiver detects an arrival of data packet via a second signal path of the quadrature signal. The receiver continuously monitors the enabled signal path for the incoming data packet via in-channel energy. After the incoming data packet is detected, it is further determined whether the incoming data packet is a valid data packet. If not, one of the signal paths would be disabled again. As a result, the current consumption of the receiver is reduced while waiting for an incoming data packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ALi Corporation
    Inventor: Fabio Epifano
  • Patent number: 10256849
    Abstract: A communication unit includes the following elements. A first transmit circuit outputs a first signal or a second signal from a first input signal. A first amplifier amplifies the first signal and outputs a first amplified signal. A first signal generating circuit generates a third signal having a frequency higher than a frequency of the second signal, based on the second signal and a first reference signal. A first filter circuit receives the third signal and allows one of a frequency component representing a sum of the frequency of the second signal and a frequency of the first reference signal and a frequency component representing a difference therebetween to pass through the first filter circuit and attenuates the other one of the frequency components. A second amplifier amplifies the third signal output from the first filter circuit and outputs a second amplified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Kazuo Watanabe, Tetsuaki Adachi, Masahito Numanami, Yasuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9791562
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems and methods for providing an ATC Overlay data link. Through embodiments of the present invention, existing ATC (or other) modulated signals using existing standard frequencies may be utilized to transmit (e.g., from an aircraft transponder) additional information in a manner that does not render the transmitted signal unrecognizable by legacy ATC equipment. Legacy equipment will be able to demodulate and decode information that was encoded in the transmitted signal in accordance with preexisting standard modulation formats, and updated equipment can also extract the additional information that was overlaid on transmitted signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory T. Stayton
  • Patent number: 9168645
    Abstract: A hand-operated pressing tool, which is suitable in particular for producing pipe connections, for pressing cable lugs, and/or for actuating cutting jaws, comprises a drive device arranged in a housing. The drive device is connected to an energy source. Furthermore, a start button, a display device, and a diagnostic connector are provided. The start button as well as the display device are arranged under a transparent housing cover. Preferably, the housing cover can be opened in order to reach the diagnostic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Novopress GmbH Pressen Und Presswerkzeuge & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hedwig Wassenhoven, Jennifer Hausmann
  • Patent number: 8633855
    Abstract: In a technique for communication with a station on a wireless network, the technique includes forming a plurality of narrow-band beams, each having a different angular direction from an antenna of a base station and collectively distributed over a beamspace to form a pseudo-omni-directional beam pattern. That beamspace may span an entire spherical region or a portion thereof, for example, when the narrow-band beams are broadcast over a sector of an entire spherical region. The technique may assign each of the plurality of narrow-band beams to a different frequency band (such as a different channel band or sub-channel) on the wireless network. The technique may simultaneously broadcast the plurality of narrow-band beams in a time-varying manner such that the angular direction of each of the plurality of narrow-band beams varies with time, where that variation may be random or ordered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Marvll World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungwon Lee, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Patent number: 8239077
    Abstract: A method and a device for an aircraft for detecting noise in a signal of LOC type. A first step includes estimating a first lateral speed of the aircraft according to a first set of parameters. Concurrently, at least one second lateral speed of the aircraft is estimated according to at least one second set of parameters, among which at least one parameter is of different nature from each parameter of the first set of parameters. A second step includes comparing the first lateral speed and the at least one second lateral speed according to a threshold. If the difference between the first lateral speed and the at least one second lateral speed is greater than the threshold, the presence of noise in the signal of LOC type is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Alexandre Colomer
  • Patent number: 8164521
    Abstract: In a technique for communication with a station on a wireless network, the technique includes forming a plurality of narrow-band beams, each having a different angular direction from an antenna of a base station and collectively distributed over a beamspace to form a pseudo-omni-directional beam pattern. That beamspace may span an entire spherical region or a portion thereof, for example, when the narrow-band beams are broadcast over a sector of an entire spherical region. The technique may assign each of the plurality of narrow-band beams to a different frequency band (such as a different channel band or sub-channel) on the wireless network. The technique may simultaneously broadcast the plurality of narrow-band beams in a time-varying manner such that the angular direction of each of the plurality of narrow-band beams varies with time, where that variation may be random or ordered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungwon Lee, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Publication number: 20110050487
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking a remote source and monitoring and controlling the angular orientation of an antenna array, including a first antenna portion and a second antenna portion, are provided, including a sum-difference structure coupled to a first output of the first antenna portion and a second output of the second antenna portion, where the sum-difference structure provides both a sum power signal and a difference power signal, and where both the sum power signal and the difference power signal have associated RSSI values generated by an RSSI circuit. Systems and methods provided herein further include a sum-delta processor configured to utilize the RSSI values to generate an off-bore-sight angle of the antenna array relative to a position of a transmitting radiofrequency signal source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Arsen Melconian, Steven Gregory Ow, Daniel Lawrence Cordell, Amedeo Antonio Mazzilli
  • Patent number: 7817065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system with a device for determining the current position of the aircraft, a display device displaying, on a viewing screen an airport map, wherewith is associated a symbol illustrating the current position of the aircraft, an interface device enabling the display of the display device to be operated by an operator, a storage device storing a plurality of airport maps, a device for determining a reference point for each airport, whereof the map is stored in the storage device, and a selecting device which selects an airport map stored in the storage device so as to transmit same to the display device so that it can be displayed, and which comprises a device enabling an airport map to be automatically selected, based on the current position of the aircraft and as airport reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Fabien Fetzmann, Pierre Coldefy, Thierry Malaval
  • Patent number: 7626544
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a navigation system. A process includes providing a plurality of transmitters distributed throughout a desired coverage area; locking the plurality of transmitters to a common timing reference; transmitting a signal from each of the plurality of transmitters. An apparatus includes a plurality of transmitters distributed throughout a desired coverage area; wherein each of the plurality of transmitters comprises a packet generator; and wherein the plurality of transmitters are locked to a common timing reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Smith, James A. Moore
  • Patent number: 7599678
    Abstract: A receiver includes an RF bridge and a processor coupled to the RF bridge to receive an information signal from the RF bridge. The processor includes a clock source and a processor front end. The processor front end includes first and second frequency sources, a processor down converter and an analog to digital converter. The first frequency source generates a reference signal based on a signal from the clock source. The reference signal is coupled to the RF bridge. The second frequency source generates a first local oscillator signal based on the signal from the clock source. The processor down converter heterodynes the first local oscillator signal and the information signal. The analog to digital converter is coupled to the processor down converter and provides a digitized down converted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel E. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7576693
    Abstract: Methods and systems to determine the position of objects indoors or in confined areas are disclosed. A multitude of broadcast stations are transmitting an omni-directional reference signal and directional signals having each a phase-shift depending upon their specific direction. The objects whose positions are to be identified have a transponder and a means to measure the phase-shift between the omni-directional reference signal and a directional signal received. The measured time-difference indicating the relative direction to the broadcast station, which has sent the directional signal, is sent back to the broadcast station. The absolute position of the object can be determined by the results of an angular measurement of a second broadcast station. The broadcast stations can communicate amongst each other. A post-processing unit can initiate actions according to the position of an object identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Free Alliance SDN BHD
    Inventor: Martin Morris
  • Patent number: 6901329
    Abstract: An electronic guide system is described that includes a fixed-location beacon located adjacent to a location which is associated with a plurality of landmarks to transmit electronic signals containing descriptive information of each of the landmarks. The guide system also includes a client device physically separated from the beacon to receive the electronic signals containing the descriptive information of each of the landmarks when placed by a user within a transmission range of the beacon. A viewing direction sensor is provided to determine viewing direction of the user to cause the client device to provide the user with the descriptive information of one of the landmarks at which the user is looking. An electronic guide system that includes a movable beacon is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Bernard Burg, Craig P. Sayers
  • Patent number: 6847327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base station for a radio communications network. In order to be able to enhance the resolution for a direction of arrival estimation, the base station comprises: a first phasing network (31) for forming beams (B1-B4) for fixed reception angles; a second phasing network (33) for co-phasing and summing the signals of at least two neighbouring beams (B2, B3), thus forming a beam (B2-3) for a reception angle in-between at least those two neighbouring beams (B2, B3), and for scaling each resulting beam (B2-3) with a predetermined factor; and means for estimating the direction of arrival in the uplink from the beams (B1-B4, B2-3) provided by the first and the second phasing network (31, 33). The invention equally relates to a corresponding method and to a base station module comprising such a first and second phasing network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Juha Ylitalo
  • Patent number: 5922031
    Abstract: In a method for the piloting of an aircraft, enabling low-altitude flight by setting up a tangent with the relief to be overflown, the aircraft pilot determines the goals to be attained on a cartographic screen. This is done in enabling a computer, using altimetrical data, to define a ground profile and then a set of straight lines at a tangent to said ground profile. A method of this kind has the advantage of enabling an optimized flight plan to be reconfigured directly, when the pilot comes up against a threat that makes it necessary to change the pre-set flight plan. Application to military transport aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Sextant Avionique
    Inventor: Bertrand Larrieu
  • Patent number: 5689273
    Abstract: A surface guidance system for guiding aircraft equipped with Instrument Landing Systems along taxiways which utilizes two inductive loops (14,16) installed around the right half and the left half of the taxiways. Audio amplifiers (18,20) drive one loop (14) with an 90 Hz signal and the other loop (16) at 150 Hz. A sensor (22) mounted on the aircraft detects the composite magnetic field induced by the surface loops (14,16). The detected signal is conditioned and supplied to the ILS system to provide left/right lateral guidance to the pilot. Longitudinal aircraft position is determined by using dipole marker antennas (52) embedded near the taxiway center line. Each marker antenna (52) has a unique code identifier. Existing ILS equipped aircraft can sense the marker signal and transmit the aircraft position to the ATC facility. Additional pairs of loops (14,16) and marker antennas (52) are used for different taxiway or runway sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Gary Bailey, John Edward Hieber
  • Patent number: 5526000
    Abstract: The so-called flight path of an aircraft is defined in the form of a set of successive target points (B.sub.i -1, B.sub.i, B.sub.i +1) with a target circle (CB.sub.i) associated with each target point. A navigation envelope (DN) is determined in she direction to this target, and a guidance envelope (DH) is determined in the direction of the next target, for each target point. Normally, the aircraft is in the navigation envelope, and reenters the guidance envelope, then the target circle (B.sub.i) after which it heads in the direction of the navigation envelope associated with the next target. In the contrary case, a mandatory switching envelope (DCF) determines the instant when the aircraft is to orient itself on the next target (B.sub.i +1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Electronique Serge Dassault
    Inventors: Xavier Chazelle, Jean-Pierre Desvigne
  • Patent number: 5250955
    Abstract: A beacon system wherein a beacon station is placed at a landmark such as a state line adjacent a major highway to broadcast information-containing alternating directional signals. In addition, each vehicle may be equipped with a radio receiver, a receiving decoder and a data analysis processor for receiving data signals from the beacon station. The beacon station includes an information encoder for generating first and second alternating but distinct location signals, first and second directional antennas disposed to radiate in opposite directions along the path of travel, the directional antennas having a significant back attenuation, a radio frequency transmitter for broadcasting the two location signals, preferably as data packets, to vehicle-mounted receivers along the path of travel, and an r.f. switcher for switching signal output of the transmitter between the two antennas in synchronization with the two location signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Lockheed Information Services Company
    Inventors: Harvey W. Major, James C. Beffa, Frank D. Butscher, Bruce A. Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 5218360
    Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method, for generating navigational data to aid a pilot in landing or taxiing an aircraft in poor visibility conditions. Radio-frequency (rf) beacons at predetermined locations around an airport runway or taxiway are separately modulated to render them uniquely identifiable from the aircraft. A fixed array of receiving antennas on the aircraft has multiple, angularly spaced antenna beams that substantially overlap each other in coverage, such that a signal received from one of the beacons will in most cases be received in more than one adjacent receive beam. Signals received in each beam are processed by a fast Fourier transform module to separate signal components from the various beacons; then an interpolation process determines the arrival angles of the signals by comparing the amplitudes received in adjacent receive beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Allan C. Goetz, Ronald K. Ching, Lee L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5014067
    Abstract: An integrated landing system interleaves signals encoded in a first format such as the microwave landing system that (MLS) format with signals encoded in a second format such as the precision tactical approach guidance (PTAG) format to permit approach guidance information to be transmitted to aircraft having either MLS receivers or PTAG receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Chisholm
  • Patent number: 4990921
    Abstract: A guidance system for landing an aircraft is described which uses a source of signals identifiable with the aircraft and a ground station which is linked to the aircraft. Specifically, the ground station includes a receiver which is connected to one or more pairs of antennas having a fixed, overlapping, directional sensitive pattern symmetically located relative to the center of the landing path, a receiver and a processor for measuring the relative sensitivity of the signals received at the antennas and for using the relative signal intensity to determine the location of the aircraft relative to the center of the landing path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Chisholm
  • Patent number: 4893127
    Abstract: A low cost electronic navigation system including a Loran receiver and a marine radar unit adapted to receive vessel position information from the Loran. A computer within the radar unit uses successive Loran outputs to display vessel heading and the bearing of objects of interest such as other vessels or waypoints in graphic and numeric form. The navigator may accurately determine the bearing of such objects of interest in magnetic or true form. Other modes are of particular use when the navigator is interested in using the system to maintain a desired course, to avoid obstacles, or to determine if and by how much he must change his present course to return to the desired course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stanley L. Clark, Carsten H. Peters, Jack R. Trommer
  • Patent number: 4811022
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to reduce the adverse effects of reflected electromagnetic radiation on the measurement threshold of a scanning beam. It has particular application to the time reference scanning beam of the international microwave landing system (MLS). In the present MLS configuration, the reflection induced errors during the "TO" scan are additive to those of the "FRO" scan. This invention describes a method and apparatus for compensating errors by reversing the phase of the reflections during the "FRO" scan, by displacing the phase center of the transmitantenna during that scan. System performance is enhanced by the errors compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Cafarelli, Glen D. Adams
  • Patent number: 4789864
    Abstract: A guidance system for aircraft wherein a radio antenna on the ground transmits a beam that sweeps across an aircraft and the aircraft receives the beam and utilizes its amplitude waveform in determining the location of the aircraft from the station. At low elevation angles of the aircraft the portion of received waveform that includes significant amounts of signal reflected from the ground is used in only a preliminary manner. The more reliable, directly radiated, portions of the waveform are utilized to compute by least squares error, the median of a Gaussian beam shape. That median serves as an estimate of the time that the transmitting antenna was pointing directly at the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Craig T. Aarseth
  • Patent number: 4646097
    Abstract: A precision distance measuring equipment (DME/P) receiver for detecting an RF signal including at least one interrogation pulse is described. The DME/P receiver includes first and second signal processing channels. The first processing channel includes a wideband filter, of bandwidth BW1, for receiving the processed RF signal and in response thereto generating a wideband (FA) mode signal proportional to the logarithm thereof. The second signal processing channel includes a narrowband filter, of bandwidth BW2, for receiving the processed RF signal and in response thereto generating a narrowband (IA) mode signal proportional to the logarithm thereof, the bandwidth BW2 of the narrowband filter being within the bandwidth BW1 of the wideband filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: E-Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis D. King
  • Patent number: 4642646
    Abstract: An improved aircraft marker beacon receiving and indicating system is provided, which automatically responds to the amplitude of the received signals to provide reduced sensitivity and muting of audio output after initial sensing and indication of proximity to the beacon and during a timed period of passing over the beacon in closest proximity thereto. The improved system employs an electrically controllable radio frequency attenuator between the antenna and the input of the receiver. The attenuator is controlled by a control voltage of predetermined duration from a trigger actuated, timed control signal generator. The control signal generator is triggered by direct current trigger pulse signals from an audio frequency peak detector. The peak detector derives its input from an operational amplifier coupled to receive audio frequency signals from the demodulator output of the tuner portion of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventor: Noel A. Rogers