Abstract: A technique is disclosed for reducing interference in a communication system including a plurality of wireless devices. A first device transmits an RTS-TRN frame including a Request to Send (RTS) portion and a first beam training sequence to determine whether a communication medium is available to communicate with a second device. If the communication medium is available, the second device transmits a CTS-TRN frame including a Clear to Send (CTS) portion and a second beam training sequence. One or more neighboring devices that receive the RTS-TRN frame and/or the CTS-TRN frame configure their respective antennas to generate one or more nulls aimed at the first and second devices when transmitting signals, as long as the first and second devices are communicating based on a duration field in the RTS-TRN frame and/or CTS-TRN frame. This reduces interference at the first and/or second devices.

Abstract: Described are a method and a system for localization of a vehicle. The method includes the acquisition of SPR images of a subsurface region along a vehicle track. Acquired SPR images are compared to SPR images previously acquired for a subsurface region that at least partially overlaps the subsurface region along the vehicle track. In some embodiments, the comparison includes an image correlation procedure. Location data for the vehicle are determined based in part on location data for the SPR images previously acquired for the second subsurface region. Location data can be used to guide the vehicle along a desired path. The relatively static nature of features in the subsurface region provides the method with advantages over other sensor-based navigation systems that may be adversely affected by weather conditions, dynamic features and time-varying illumination. The method can be used in a variety of applications, including self-driving automobiles and autonomous platforms.

Abstract: A multi-band low-profile, low-volume two-way mobile panel array antenna system is described. Operation of the antenna may automatically switch between bands based on various user-entered parameters.

Abstract: Energy harvesting devices provide power to devices of emergency equipment stations (e.g., fire extinguisher station, fire alarm pull station, defibrillator station, etc.) distributed throughout a facility to monitor one or more internal or external conditions (e.g., identifiable objects detected near the station, presence of an obstruction restricting access to the station, etc.) and relay information about the monitored conditions to a central station.

Abstract: An angle-only tracking filter includes: a target angle discriminant unit configured to receive sensor signal outputs and form angle only observations of a target relative to an ownship; an ownship navigation filter configured to receive and filter ownship inertial navigation measurements; a model analyzer configured to receive and analyze the ownship inertial navigation measurements and select the order of target kinematics to be determined; and a target kinematics generator coupled to the angle discriminant unit, the navigation filter unit, and the model analyzation unit, including: a first-order filter unit configured to generate a target position from the target angle measurements and the ownship inertial navigation information; a second-order filter unit configured to generate a target velocity from the target angle measurements and the ownship inertial navigation information; and a third-order filter unit configured to generate a target acceleration from the target angle measurements and the ownship iner

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building, creating, or otherwise specifying an airport ground taxi navigation route for an aircraft from an input of the route is disclosed. The apparatus includes a keypad, voice recognition device, or other entry device, a processor, a display screen, and a navigation map database. A crewmember on the aircraft uses the entry device to enter all or part of the ground navigation taxi route. The entry device converts the received route information into an input text string, either with or without delimiters. The system parses the input text string by extracting characters or substrings from the input text string. A database lookup component searches the map database to find a route component that matches the character or substring. If the system finds a matching route component, it determines if the matching route component is continuous with the taxi route. The system adds the matching route component to the taxi route and displays any discontinuity.

Abstract: A method for rapid convergence of radar target state includes the steps of using range acceleration to estimate perpendicular velocity and jump-starting a Cartesian state filter with the estimated perpendicular velocity. The improved estimate in the Cartesian state filter allows improved coasting of the range-state.

Abstract: A method and a system for sensing a boosting target missile, estimate position and velocity and boost acceleration parameters of the target missile, and control an interceptor missile to the target missile. A boost-phase missile target state estimator estimates at least acceleration, velocity, and position using an acceleration template for the target vehicle. The nominal template is incorporated into an extended Kalman filter which corrects the nominal template acceleration with the filter states to predict future thrust acceleration, velocity and position. The correction can compensate for motor burn variations and missile energy management (lofted/depressed trajectory).

Abstract: A broadcast receiver for receiving airwaves by a directional switching antenna capable of switching directivity in a plurality of directions, includes a control unit for performing signal return processing for making a return to a normal reception state when it becomes impossible to receive the airwaves by the antenna. The signal return processing includes a plurality of signal return processings of different kinds. When impossibility of reception occurs, the control unit selects optimum signal return processing from among the plurality of signal return processings according to predetermined conditions and executes the selected signal return processing.

Abstract: Embodiments pertain to methods of improving the performance of a frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) radar system and improving the value of the information provided the FMCW system. In an embodiment, the IF level is monitored while sweeping the frequency of the system through at least a portion of the frequency range of the system and the frequency is set to produce the minimum IF level. Embodiments expedite the adaptation of the comb filter to the signal when the system is turned on. In an embodiment, a method of quickly determining the largest peaks in the RDM is implemented. Embodiments relate to a method for processing a radar signal that classifies two or more targets. An embodiment classifies a human target or other target(s) using amplitude values in time-consecutive range-Doppler maps. An embodiment processes a radar signal for improving the performance of FMCW detection, tracking, and classification algorithms.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a smart antenna, a tuner for extracting a signal of a predetermined channel from airwaves received by the smart antenna, a signal processing unit for processing the signal extracted by this tuner, and a control unit for controlling the smart antenna. The control unit detects a receivable direction by performing automatic scanning for each of the channels with respect to each of the directions of the smart antenna, and when the receivable direction is first detected during execution of automatic scanning for a certain channel, the automatic scanning is stopped at a point in time of the detection and transition to automatic scanning for the next channel is made.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing and conducting communications within a network. The discloses systems and methods may include determining a scheduled time period for communications between a first communication node and a second communication node. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include determining a direction of transmission for transmitting data from the first communication node to the second transmission node and receiving data transmitted from the second transmission node and determining a direction of transmission for receiving data from the first communication node and transmitting data from the second transmission node to the first transmission node. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include establishing communications between the first communication node and the second communication node.

Abstract: A device for measuring the received signal strength at an Earth station antenna has the capability to provide an accurate pointing indication when the frequency bands and other key characteristics of the satellite signals are not uniform over the coverage area. The device has an input port, a plurality of passive or active signal filters, a filter selector and an output port. The device may further contain a signal amplifier with automatic or manual gain control. A plurality of filters is provided which may be coupled singularly or in combination between the input port and the output port. Each filter or combination of filters is associated with a particular geographic area and capable of allowing the satellite signal assigned to that geographic area to pass while attenuating or blocking other signals, noise and interference. The filter selector is used to connect the appropriate filter or combination of filters between the input port and the output port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system using dynamic beam forming for wireless communication signals in a wireless network. Base stations and/or UEs are provided with antenna systems having a range of beam forming selections. Relative base station and UE locations are one type of criteria used to make beam forming decisions.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of a space-based Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) magnetic field detector in conjunction with ground-based network of ELF magnetic field detectors. In particular, a space based ELF detection system can be used to perform a wide area search and find precursor earthquake signals in both known and unknown earthquake zones, and a ground-based network of ELF detectors can be used to verify that the signals are indeed earthquake generated signals. The use of this invention will minimize cost and manpower necessary to effectuate an accurate and reliable earthquake detection system.

Abstract: An airborne radar antenna system for detecting a target in a volume includes a tethered aerostat and an antenna that is supported above ground by the aerostat. The aerostat-based antenna is used for transmitting and receiving a radar beam into the volume to detect the target. Additionally, the system includes a ground-based transmitter that generates a beacon signal which monitors the antenna configuration at the aerostat. A computer then evaluates the beacon signal to create an error signal which is used to maintain a predetermined configuration for the antenna. The system also includes mechanisms for orienting the radar beam along preselected beam paths between the antenna and the volume.

Abstract: In a mobile object position detecting system for detecting a position of a mobile object having a transmitter, an elongated antenna system is provided for receiving a radio wave signal from the transmitter and outputting first and second electrical signals from first and second ends of the antenna system, respectively. A position detector calculates the position of the mobile object in accordance with a difference in time between the first and second electrical signals.

Abstract: There is provided a rocket trajectory estimating method comprising the steps of: measuring a GLOS angle of a flying rocket a tracking system; passing the GLOS angle data through a batch filter to reduce noises; estimating a rocket trajectory on the basis of the GLOS angle data, the noises of which have been reduced; passing the resulting rocket trajectory data through a Kalman filter to reduce biases; and estimating the rocket trajectory again on the basis of the corrected GLOS angle data and the positional information of the tracking system. Thus, there is provide a rocket trajectory estimating method capable of reducing observation errors (noises and biases) of a tracking system of a passive ranging system, which does not have need of any laser range finders, to enhance the accuracy of rocket trajectory estimation.

Abstract: A first projectile is fired from an airborne platform aimed at a sensor point on the surface of the earth. At first projectile impact, acoustic energy is released instigating a shock wave which propagates along the earth's surface around the sensor point. Optical sensors on the airborne platform detect surface movement due to the propagating shock wave, and process the detected movement to locate and perhaps identify buried objects. Also at impact with the surface of the earth, the first projectile injects wide-band electromagnetic radiation into the earth in the form of waves propagating through the earth surface around the sensor point. Electromagnetic sensors on the airborne platform detect reflections of the propagating electromagnetic radiation, and process the received reflections to locate and perhaps identify buried objects. Once a buried object has been located, the airborne platform fires a second, explosive, projectile at the determined location to neutralize the found buried object.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring a satellite with an antenna using a computing portion which determines the variation between the actual orientation of the antenna and an optimum orientation to acquire a satellite. The deviation is computed by: determining the actual orientation of the antenna with respect to true North and producing a first signal indicative thereof; determining the location of the antenna on the Earth and producing a second signal indicative thereof; determining the elevation of the satellite with respect to the location of the antenna and producing a third signal indicative thereof; determining the azimuth of the satellite with respect to the location of the antenna and producing a fourth signal indicative thereof; and using log data for the satellite along with the first, second, third, and fourth signals to compute the position of the satellite relative to the antenna and produce a signal indicative of the deviation.

Abstract: A receiving antenna apparatus for receiving broadcast by satellite and adapted for mounting on a mobile body in which radio wave interruption tends to occur by obstacles, attains high-speed automatic tracking function capable of catching the satellite again in a short time just after cutting off of radio waves. In the receiving antenna apparatus, an incoming direction of radio waves is roughly detected to limit a search area and then a gain of the tuners is reduced to a value in the tracking control capable of detecting a peak and confirming a main lobe in accordance with power level of the received signal, so that a narrow and fine search may be made only in the limited search area. The antenna apparatus includes a gain setting device for varying gains of AGC of the tuners.

Abstract: This invention comprises the use of integral pulse frequency modulation (IPFM) reaction jet controllers for multi-axis precision tracking of moving objects with flexible spacecraft, and vibration suppression. Two sets of position, rate and accelertion command profiles for multi-axis tracking are disclosed: one for a payload initially facing the zenith and the commands based on a pitch-roll sequence; the other for a payload facing the nadir and the commands based on a roll-pitch sequence. The procedure for designing an IPFM controller for tracking a given, inertial acceleration command profile is disclosed. Important elastic modes of a spacecraft are identified according to their spontaneous attitude and rate response to the minimum impulse bit of the thrusters. The stability of the control-structure interaction is shown to be governed by the ratio of the moments of inertia of the flexible to the rigid portions of the spacecraft.