Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods and user interfaces for establishing communications.

Abstract: An electronic relative directional indicator includes a microcontroller in electronic communication with an electronic compass, an electronic motion-detecting module and at least one light source that is controllably illuminable. A battery life of the electronic relative directional indicator is managed by monitoring the electronic motion-detecting module for motion within pre-defined time periods and reducing power to electronic components accordingly. The electronic relative directional indicator can be placed on the face shield portion of a self-contained breathing apparatus face mask to provide a constant source of orientation for firefighters in reduced- or zero-visibility environments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that includes a sensor having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a three-dimensional array. None of the plurality of antenna elements is configured as a loop antenna element. Each of the plurality of antenna elements are configured to provide a sensor output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic field having predetermined characteristics. A processing circuit is coupled to the sensor, the processing circuit being configured to obtain a directional vector to a source of the incident electromagnetic field from the plurality of sensor output signals. The sensor output signals correspond to a plurality of field components of the incident electromagnetic field at a point. The plurality of field components include differential values such that the plurality of field components providing at least nine (9) degrees of freedom (DOFs).

Abstract: An antenna system comprising a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a parasitic element, wherein the parasitic element is arranged with regard to the first antenna element and the second antenna element such that a greatest difference in gain between respective antenna patterns of the first and second antenna elements occurs at a null of the pattern of the first antenna element.

Abstract: A direction-finding co-linear antenna is provided by collinearly aligning an exposed reference antenna with a primary antenna that is surrounded by a dielectric sleeve with a predetermined thickness and the reference and primary antennas are separated by a ground plane. The direction-finding co-linear antenna provides a simple, light-weight and inexpensive arrangement with fewer antennas and reduced antenna spacing that avoids unwanted detection because of a smaller electronic footprint that consists of the area of a single antenna plus a few inches of dielectric material in the sleeves rather than four widely spaced antennas positioned in an array. The direction-finding co-linear antenna apparatus also requires less electronic processing because the antenna only needs to address the RF from two antennas rather than from four or five antennas in a conventional array arrangement.

Abstract: A navigation device at least includes a CPU and a detector generating a detection signal for determining whether a main device is used inside a vehicle or not. If determining, based on the detection signal from the detector, that the main device is used inside the vehicle, the CPU operates in on-vehicle mode to carry out first navigation (present position estimation and route search) suitable for use in the vehicle. Otherwise, the CPU operates in off-vehicle mode to carry out second navigation (present position estimation and route search) suitable for use outside of the vehicle. Thus, the navigation device can automatically switch its operation mode between on-vehicle mode and off-vehicle mode.

Abstract: In a method for the precise angle determination of targets by means of a multiple unit antenna radar system, individual antenna patterns are generated in separate directions by at least three feeds (F−1, F0, F1) which are spatially offset with respect to one another and which illuminate a joint collimator (R). By simultaneous and phase-correct excitation of several of the feeds, at least two combination antenna diagrams are generated, by means of which the angle determination takes place. The intersecting points of the combination antenna diagrams, are situated in angle ranges in which the exact angle determination is desired.

Abstract: An electronic direction finder (10), having a housing (11) with a major axis (18), has a GPS receiver (28) and directional (31) and omnidirectional (30) antennas and provides an electrical signal (angle A) indicative of the direction of the housing axis (18) with respect to a predetermined compass heading (North). The electrical signal (angle A) is provided by using determined positions of the GPS receiver (28) and one GPS satellite to calculate a compass bearing from the receiver (28) to the one satellite and using the directional antenna (31) to determine the orientation of the housing axis (18) with respect to the satellite. This eliminates using electrical output terrestrial magnetism sensing devices to sense direction finder/receiver orientation with respect to compass direction, and therefore avoids the inaccuracies and costs associated with such magnetism sensing devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for a digital averaging filter, particularly suited for use with an aeronautical navigation receiver, for reducing oscillatory deviation errors that appear in a course deviation voltage produced by the receiver and occur as the result of reflected incoming radio-navigation signals and/or interfering signals as described. In essence, this apparatus first amplifies, filters and repetitively samples the course deviation voltage to provide digital representations thereof. Each digital representation is then converted by a digital to pulse count converter into a series of pulses wherein the value of each digital representation is encoded into the number of pulses in the series. Thereafter, these pulses are totalized over a pre-defined interval. The resulting totalized count is then divided to produce an average value, which at the end of the pre-defined interval accurately reflects the average course deviation error.