Abstract: A system for controlling a ground speed of an agricultural sprayer includes a boom and a nozzle mounted on the boom. The nozzle, in turn, is configured to dispense a fan of an agricultural fluid as the agricultural sprayer travels across a field. Additionally, the system includes a sensor configured to capture data indicative of a spray quality parameter associated with the dispensed fan of the agricultural fluid. Furthermore, the system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor. As such, the controller is configured to receive the captured data from the sensor as the agricultural sprayer travels across the field. Moreover, the controller is configured to determine the spray quality parameter based on the received data. In addition, the controller is configured to control a ground speed of the agricultural sprayer based on the determined spray quality parameter.

Abstract: A method for image-guided agriculture includes receiving images; processing the images to generate reflectance maps respectively corresponding to spectral bands; synthesizing the reflectance maps to generate a multispectral image including vegetation index information of a target area; receiving crop information in regions of the target area; and assessing crop conditions for the regions based on the identified crop information and the vegetation index information.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are described for generating and using a sound localization model. A described technique includes obtaining for a building a sound sensor map indicating locations of first and second sound sensor devices in respective first and second rooms of the building; causing an autonomous device to navigate to the first room and to emit, during a time window, sound patterns at one or more frequencies within the first room; receiving sound data including first and second sound data respectively from the first and second sound sensor devices that are observed during the time window; and generating and storing a sound localization model based on the sound sensor map, autonomous device location information, and the received sound data, the model being configured to compensate for how sounds travels among rooms in at least a portion of the building such that an origin room of a sound source is identifiable.

Abstract: A control method implemented by a communication device. The control method includes: acquiring a current location and current capacities of a drone; selecting a destination point that can be reached by the drone according to the location and capacities thereof, the destination point being located in the coverage area of a point of access to a mobile communication network; and providing the drone with instructions specifying the destination point towards which the drone is to travel and communication operations to be carried out in connection with the mobile communication network. Once the instructions are obtained, the drone moves towards the destination point and performs the communication operation as soon as it reaches the destination point or as soon as the connection quality reaches a satisfying level.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for situation-dependent storage of data of a system, in which data of the system is detected, is amalgamated in at least one data block and is stored in a volatile memory, and in which, in response to the occurrence of at least one predefined trigger event in the at least one data block, amalgamated data are transferred from the volatile memory into a read-only memory, and in which a time window, in which the data for the at least one data block is captured, is selected automatically and dynamically according to the at least one trigger event.

Abstract: The application relates to an aircraft, a method, an apparatus and a computer readable storage medium for controlling the aircraft with at least one sensor arranged thereon, the method including detecting a motor state of the aircraft, acquiring at least one sensing data of the at least one sensor, and controlling the aircraft to perform a startup operation or a shutdown operation according to the motor state and the at least one sensing data, so that the aircraft can be autonomously controlled to perform the startup operation or the shutdown operation, and the user experience is improved.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an accumulation unit that accumulates history information regarding a flight history of an aircraft. A specification unit, based on the history information accumulated by the accumulation unit, specifies a candidate to be an operation assistant who assists an operation planned by an assisted operator. An output unit outputs information regarding the candidate to be the operation assistant specified by the specification unit.

Abstract: A system for automated flight correction is an electric aircraft that includes an input control configured to receive a user input and generate a control datum as a function of the user input, at least a sensor connected to the electric aircraft that is configured to detect a status datum and transmit the status datum to a flight controller, a flight controller communicatively connected to the input control and the at least a sensor configured to receive the control datum from the input control, receive the status datum from the flight controller and determine a command datum as a function of the control datum and status datum, and an actuator connected to the flight controller configured to receive the command datum from the flight controller and command at least a flight component as a function of the command datum.

Abstract: A system for an aircraft includes an optical sensor, at least one aircraft sensor, and a controller. The optical sensor is configured to emit a laser outside the aircraft, and the at least one aircraft sensor is configured to sense at least one aircraft condition. The controller is configured to determine a first operational state of the aircraft based upon the at least one aircraft condition and determine a second operational state of the aircraft based on the at least one aircraft condition, and operate the optical sensor to emit the laser at a first intensity during the first operational state and a second intensity during the second operational state, wherein the second intensity is greater than the first intensity.

Abstract: A control system for an aircraft cabin includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor. The first and second sensors are configured to detect communicative gestures of a subject and are oriented to detect the communicative gestures in first and second cabin volumes, respectively. The second cabin volume at least partially overlaps the first cabin volume. The processor is configured to: identify a control volume defined by an overlap between the first and second cabin volumes; define a task envelope as a sub-set of the control volume in which the subject may perform the communicative gestures; disregard communicative gestures outside of the task envelope; compare an identified gesture of the communicative gestures performed inside the task envelope with a plurality of stored gestures; and generate a control task to command cabin devices in response to a match between the identified gesture one of the stored gestures.

Abstract: A method for controlling the application of aircraft wheel brakes including: controlling the application of a first wheel brake of an aircraft and a second wheel brake of the aircraft in dependence upon a determined relationship to control the time taken for the first wheel brake and the second wheel brake to reach respective specified temperatures. The relationship is determined between a first cooling characteristic of the first wheel brake, according to which the first wheel brake cools when in a first retracted position within the aircraft, and a second cooling characteristic of the second wheel brake, according to which the second wheel brake cools when in a second retracted position within the aircraft.

Abstract: An architecture to provision one-stop parking, charging, storage, and/or maintenance facilities and/or functionalities for drone equipment. A method can comprise identifying a drone entering a defined airspace monitored by the network equipment; in response to establishing a communication channel with the drone, receiving data representing a physical dimension associated with the drone; based on the physical dimension associated with the drone, allocating a space within a defined area to which the drone is to navigate and then cease moving; and sending, to the drone via the communication channel, notification data that notifies the drone to navigate to the space.

Abstract: An approach is provided for generating delivery data models for aerial package delivery. The approach involves determining at least one delivery surface data object to represent one or more delivery surfaces of at least one delivery location, wherein the one or more delivery surfaces represents at least one surface upon which to deliver at least one package. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, a creation of at least one complete delivery data model based, at least in part, on the at least one delivery surface data object to represent the at least one delivery location. The approach further involves causing, at least in part, an encoding of at least one geographic address in the at least one complete delivery data model to cause, at least in part, an association of the at least one complete delivery data model with at least one geographic location.

Abstract: A method of automatic configuration of a communications interface of an unknown data network, the method comprising connecting an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) to the unknown data network, attempting to open communication ports, in response to attempting to open communication ports, receiving data from the unknown data network, determining, by a controller module, if the selected communications interface can interpret the received data, and operating the communications interface of the EFB in accordance with the selected communications interface.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for determining a flight plan for an aircraft, including: determining one or more regions that intersect an initial flight path and comprise at least one terrain feature having an elevation greater than an elevation threshold; for each respective region: determining a flight area based on the initial flight path and an elevation threshold line; determining one or more segments of the initial flight path that comprise one or more terrain features having an elevation greater than the elevation threshold; and determining a modified flight path for each respective segment by: determining a plurality of descent gradients along the respective segment; and moving the respective segment of the initial flight path in the safe descent direction if any of the plurality of descent gradients would collide with any of the one or more terrain features.

Abstract: A system and method for actuating a critical aircraft system via a virtual guarded switch includes a touchscreen-based Virtual Guarded Switch (VGS) used to replace physical guarded switches. Aircraft systems display the VGS on traditional touch screen displays either via pilot selection or automatically as a result of an abnormal condition. The VGS maintains protection against inadvertent touchscreen activation while remaining familiar, quick, and easy to understand and use.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes generating a visual environment for interactive development of a machine learning (ML) model. The method includes accessing observations of data each of which includes values of independent variables and a dependent variable, and performing an interactive exploratory data analysis (EDA) of the values of a set of the independent variables. The method includes performing a feature construction and selection based on the interactive EDA, and in which select independent variables are selected as or transformed into a set of features for use in building a ML model to predict the dependent variable. The method includes building the ML model using a ML algorithm, the set of features, and a training set produced from the set of features and observations of the data. And the method includes outputting the ML model for deployment to predict the dependent variable for additional observations of the data.

Abstract: An electronic vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) multicopter which includes a communications interface configured to establish a communication channel between a site local server and the eVTOL multicopter and send a vehicle identifier and vehicle state information from the eVTOL multicopter to the site local server. The eVTOL multicopter also includes a processor configured to perform a management operation received from the site local server, wherein the site local server is configured to determine the management operation based at least in part on the vehicle identifier and the vehicle state information.

Abstract: An example system for flying to a target location is provided, comprising a parent aerial vehicle and at least one child vehicle releasably coupled to the parent vehicle. The parent vehicle is configured to transport the at least one child aerial vehicle to a region containing a target location, uncouple from the at least one child aerial vehicle, and transmit information to the at least one child aerial vehicle relevant to operation of the child aerial vehicle. The child aerial vehicle comprises at least one sensor for surveillance at the target location.

Abstract: A drone for replacing a removeable device can include a drone body with at least three lift-generating rotors spaced apart from the drone body and operating in concert that provide lift sufficient to propel the drone in at least six directions. The drone can include a first bay attached to the drone body, the first bay comprising a first mounting mechanism to dismount a first removeable device from a device receptacle and to securely stow the first removeable device. The drone can also include a second bay attached to the drone body comprising a second mounting mechanism to stow a second removeable device and to mount the second removeable device on the device receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatuses, storage media and methods associated with computer assisted driving (CAD), are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an autopilot engine to automatically pilot the vehicle out of a potential emergency situation, including to automatically pilot the vehicle for a period of time in view of a plurality of operational guardrails determined in real time for each of a plurality of timing windows; and a mitigation unit to conditionally activate the autopilot engine, including to activate the autopilot engine in response to analysis results indicative of the vehicle being potentially operated into the emergency situation manually. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for enhancing aircraft maintenance are disclosed. An exemplary method for improving dataloading in an airplane includes retrieving, from an in-flight entertainment connectivity (IFEC) system, at least one avionics software, the IFEC system comprising a mass storage device comprising a first storage segment and a second storage segment, the first storage segment being a secure storage segment configured to store the at least one avionics software, and the second storage segment being configured to store media content, and loading, using a wireless network converter coupled to a wired legacy port, the at least one avionics software onto a target avionics system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for exchanging real-time data between vehicle systems by receiving, at a first source system, a request for data from a requestor and, based on determining that the first source system does not have all requested data, querying an operations center for missing data. Then, based on determining that the operations center does not have all missing data, the operations center is queried for a list comprising candidate source systems. Upon identifying a next source system from the list, the next source system is queried for missing data, and the next source system is removed from the list. Based on whether the next source system has all missing data, either all missing data is transmitted to the requestor, or, the process of finding and querying for the missing data is iteratively performed until all missing data is received or the list is empty.

Abstract: A method and component for determining a spectrum for wireless in-cabin communication between a user equipment and a network node which are within an aircraft. The method comprises obtaining flight information indicating a position of the aircraft; determining one or more available spectrums based on a regulation on an allowed spectrum corresponding to the flight information at the position; and sending, to at least one of the user equipment and the network node, an instruction to use the one or more available spectrums for the wireless in-cabin communication.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for determining a location of an unmanned system (UMS) can include: receiving data from a plurality of data sources, wherein the data sources include a geolocation sensor and at least one of an RF receiver, a RADAR system, a LIDAR system, a SONAR system, an infrared camera, a Simultaneous Location and Mapping Algorithm (SLAM) system, an inertial sensor, or an acoustic sensor; determining a reliability of one or more of the data sources based on the received data; assigning weights to the data sources based at least in part on the determination of the reliability of the one or more data sources; and determining the location of the UMS using the received data and the assigned weights.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a computing system, a first authenticated signal that (i) identifies a first position of a first aircraft relative to a host aircraft on which the computing system is located and (ii) includes a first identifier of the first aircraft, receiving, at a subsequent time, a second signal that is an ADS-B signal that identifies a second position, a velocity, and an aircraft type, where the second signal includes a second identifier, based on matching the first identifier and the second identifier such that the second signal corresponds to the first aircraft, using the first position and the aircraft type to confirm that it is possible that the first aircraft is located at the second position moving at the velocity at the subsequent time, and based on a confirmation that it is possible, providing an indication that the second signal is authentic.

Abstract: An information processing system includes a vehicle and an information processing apparatus. The vehicle that includes an image capturing device and that delivers a package. The information processing apparatus that includes a processor configured to determine, in a case where a recipient is not present at a delivery destination of the package, reception of the package by a substitute person present at a residence different from that of the recipient. The vehicle captures the substitute person receiving the package, with the image capturing device. The processor is configured to transmit, in a case where reception of the package by the substitute person is completed, captured data of the image capturing device to a user terminal associated with the recipient. The vehicle is an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: In a method, historic delivery information is kept, which is associated with multiple deliveries of shipments, and the historic delivery information for each of the deliveries of shipments associated with the delivery information represents details pertaining to a delivery route, pertaining to an energy requirement, and pertaining to a vehicle configuration. In the method, shipment delivery information is obtained for multiple shipments to be delivered. The shipment delivery information represents a detail pertaining to the delivery position for the delivery of the respective shipment. A delivery route for delivering the shipments and a vehicle configuration is determined based on the shipment delivery information and the historical delivery information. In particular, the expected energy requirement for the delivery of the shipments is determined.

Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for managing a Quality of Experience (QoE) level experienced by a connected vehicle. In some embodiments, a method for the connected vehicle includes receiving a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) message that includes a management decision for the connected vehicle. The management decision is made based at least on a QoE status in a geographic location of the connected vehicle. The method includes modifying an operation of a vehicle control system of the connected vehicle to implement the management decision so that a QoE level experienced by the connected vehicle is improved.

Abstract: A portable computerized device for an aircraft control system includes an input system for inputting commands, a device display for displaying information on the computerized device, a processor, a wireless communication module, and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions configured to cause the processor to perform a method. The method can include detecting whether the portable computerized device is in a cockpit state such that the portable computerized device is in and/or docked to an aircraft cockpit or if the portable computerized device is in a remote state such that the portable computerized device is not in an aircraft cockpit or is not docked to an aircraft cockpit. If the portable computerized device is determined to be in a remote state, the method includes operating the remote device in a remote mode.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method for a solar cell array is provided, the method includes emitting a communication message from the solar cell array by reverse biasing the solar cell array so as to cause at least a portion of the solar array to emit a detectable amount of radiation corresponding to the communication message. In one embodiment a solar cell array circuit is provided including a solar string comprising a plurality of solar cells coupled together, a charge storage device coupled to a power bus, and a bidirectional boost-buck converter having a first and second pair of MOSFETs connected in series between positive and negative rails of the power bus with an inductor coupled from between the first and second paired MOSFETs to a charging output of the solar string.

Abstract: A method of operating a moving object on which a drone is mounted includes detecting, by the moving object, occurrence of an event; determining whether to use the drone, on the basis of the detected event; and determining an operation mode, among a first operation mode and a second operation mode, of the drone when the drone is used.

Abstract: A communication system includes a vehicle communication assembly connected to a vehicle, including a transmitter and a receiver, and configured to wirelessly communicate with a remote entity, and a processing device and a memory coupled to the processing device. The memory includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to receive a wireless signal including a speech communication from the remote entity at the receiver, analyze the wireless signal by a speech recognition module to identify the speech communication, and recognize a known directive within the speech communication based on stored contextual information.

Abstract: A method and a device resets an inertial unit of a transport on the basis of information delivered by a viewfinder of the transport. According to one embodiment: a horizontal velocity vector of the transport and coordinates of the transport are obtained from the inertial unit, a horizontal line of sight of the viewfinder is obtained on at least one landmark, coordinates of at least one landmark are obtained, an angle between the horizontal velocity vector and the horizontal line of sight is computed, the drift of the computed angle is computed, an error is computed on the basis of the obtained coordinates, the computed angle and its computed drift, and the computed error is transferred to a Kalman filter for filtering the error and resetting the inertial unit.

Abstract: Described is a system comprising (a) a UAS registry including a plurality of UAS accounts, (b) a plurality of UAS registration computing systems operable to create UAS accounts for the UAS registry, (c) a plurality of USS computing systems that each provide service to one of a plurality of service areas within an airspace, wherein each USS computing system is operable to: (i) receive, from UAS operators, operation data for UASs operating in the service area served by the USS computing system, (ii) receive, from the other USS computing systems for the airspace, operation data for UASs operating in the other service areas served the other USS computing systems, (iii) combine the operation data received from the UAS operators, with the operation data received from the other USS computing systems, to maintain an airspace-wide UAS database, and (iv) provide a publicly accessible application interface based on the UAS database.

Abstract: A recomposer allows connecting a plurality of designation peripherals to the same central unit of a computer system. The recomposer includes inputs for exchanging, with each of the designation peripherals, data normally exchanged with the central unit; includes an output for exchanging data with the central unit; includes digital processing means to transform the data received by the recomposer into emitted data. The data emitted are compliant in content and in structure to data which would be emitted by a designation peripheral with a single active surface, and correspond individually, on the single active surface, to the actions carried out with the designation peripherals. Several designation peripherals connected to a recomposer constitute an assembly which is connected to a central unit of a computer system and seen as a single designation peripheral.

Abstract: A system is delineated comprising a processor, a transceiver coupled to the processor, and memory including instructions for execution by the processor to send with the transceiver meteorological data, 4-D position data, velocity data, and time and configuration data to a provided ATC ground station.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) associated with flight response measures. The flight response measure may be generated by assessing one or more flight-restriction strips, assessing at least one of a location or a movement characteristic of the UAV relative to the one or more flight-restriction strips, and directing, with aid of one or more processors, the UAV to take one or more flight response measures based on at least one of the location or movement characteristic of the UAV relative to the one or more flight-restriction strips.

Abstract: Method and device for determining trajectory to optimal position of a follower aircraft with respect to vortices generated by a leader aircraft. The method includes controlling trajectory of a follower aircraft to an optimal position where the follower aircraft benefits from effects of at least one of the vortices of a leader aircraft. A first section control step controls flight of the follower aircraft using current measurements of flight parameters, from a safety position to a search position, along an approach section passing through an approach zone. A second section control step controls flight of the follower aircraft using current measurements of flight parameters, from the search position to a precision position, along a search section passing through a search zone, and a third section control step controls flight of the follower aircraft, from the precision position to the optimal position, along an optimization section passing through an optimization zone.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for coupling and controlling transport of cargo using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided, comprising coupling at least one electronically-controllable attachment device positioned on an underside of the UAV to a sling cable, the sling cable being secured to the cargo. The UAV flies to a predetermined area above the cargo, and responsive to determining that the UAV is positioned within the predetermined area, the UAV elevates above the initial operating height to lift the cargo and navigates to a target location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for performing one or more validity checks on potential trajectories for a device, such as an autonomous vehicle, to navigate. In some examples, a potential trajectory may be validated based on whether it is consistent with a current trajectory the vehicle is navigating such that the potential and current trajectories are not too different, whether the vehicle can feasibly or kinematically navigate to the potential trajectory from a current state, whether the potential trajectory was punctual or received within a time period of a prior trajectory, and/or whether the potential trajectory passes a staleness check, such that it was created within a certain time period. In some examples, determining whether a potential trajectory is feasibly may include updating a set of feasibility limits based on one or more operational characteristics of statuses of subsystems of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cascaded power system including master power management circuitry and slave power management circuitry. The master circuitry includes a master power regulator, comparator circuitry, and control circuitry. The power regulator provides a supply voltage during a normal mode and discharges the supply voltage during a low power mode. The slave circuitry provides a core voltage when enabled and otherwise discharges the core voltage. The comparator circuitry monitors the voltage levels of the supply and core voltages and the control circuitry performs handshaking with the slave circuitry based partly on the voltages to ensure smooth transitioning between the normal and low power modes. The control circuitry asserts a low power good signal when the supply and core voltages are discharged, and de-asserts the low power good signal when the supply and core voltages are fully charged. A processor may rely on the low power mode signal for transitioning between power modes.

Abstract: A flight deck system for an aircraft includes a processor, a graphical interface for displaying flight-related information in the form of selectable items, a control interface for receiving a selection of the selectable items, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for storing electronic representations of charts. The selectable items correspond to the electronic representations of charts, and the electronic representations of charts describe minima and associated conditional criteria for operating the aircraft (e.g., proximate to an airport). The processor is configured to arrange the selectable items, receive a selection of the selectable items, identify a corresponding one of the electronic representations of charts, receive a condition associated with the aircraft, compare the condition to the conditional criteria for operating the aircraft to identify an applicable one of the plurality of minima, and display the applicable one of the plurality of minima on the graphical interface.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to a light electric vehicle. More specifically, this disclosure describes how to limit or restrict access to a light electric vehicle based on determined or anticipated environmental conditions. The disclosure also describes how to change one or more capabilities or operating parameters of the light electric vehicle based on determined and/or anticipated environmental conditions.

Abstract: There is disclosed in one example a flight control computer for a rotary aircraft, including: a first interface to communicatively couple to a flight control input; a second interface to communicatively couple to flight geometry actuators; a data source; a multi-dimensional lookup table including a data structure to correlate flight control inputs to flight geometry actuator outputs according to a third-factor; and circuitry and logic instructions to: receive an input via the first interface; query the data source for the third-factor; query the multi-dimensional lookup table for a control input modifier according to the flight control input and the third-factor; and compute and send via a third interface a flight geometry output according to the control input modifier.

Abstract: A method, device and system for managing collaboration amongst robots is disclosed. The method may include assigning a color tag from a set of predefined color tags to each of a plurality of robots, based on associated functional capabilities. The method may further include dynamically creating a plurality of groups for a plurality of tasks based on at least one attribute associated with each of the plurality of tasks and functional capabilities associated with the plurality of robots. The method may include electing a plurality of chief robots for the plurality of groups based on a first predefined logic. The method may include selecting a prime robot from the plurality of chief robots based on a second predefined logic and the selected prime robot may be configured to monitor activity of each of the plurality of groups and each robot in each of the plurality of groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically determining a characteristic of a crop using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes operating the UAV at an elevation above a ground surface of a field and collecting first data that indicates an elevation of the UAV with a barometric pressure based altimeter of the UAV. Second data is collected with a SONAR sensor of the UAV that indicates a distance to a nearest object on the ground surface. The SONAR sensor has a SONAR sensor range and the elevation above the ground surface is less than the SONAR sensor range. The method further includes receiving the first data and the second data on a processor, and determining a height of the nearest object above the ground surface with the processor based on the first data and second data. Output data that indicates the height of the nearest object is presented on a display.

Abstract: A method of generating a UAV migration trajectory includes: obtaining a drawn path on a map and preprocessing the drawn path to generate a first path; determining a candidate region of interest and sample viewpoints in a three-dimensional space according to sample points of the first path; determining a local candidate according to the candidate region of interest and the sample viewpoints, and obtaining a local candidate cost function; generating a local migration trajectory according to a path between different local candidates, and obtaining a local migration trajectory cost function of the local migration trajectory; and constructing a set travelling salesman problem according to the local candidate cost function and the local migration trajectory cost function, and solving the set travelling salesman problem to obtain a global migration trajectory.

Abstract: A beamforming control module including processing circuitry may be configured to receive fixed position information indicative of a fixed geographic location of a base station, receive dynamic position information indicative of a three dimensional position of at least one mobile communication station, determine an expected relative position of a first network node relative to a second network node based on the fixed position information and the dynamic position information, and provide instructions to direct formation of a steerable beam from an antenna array of the second network node based on the expected relative position.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a method for reacquiring a communication link between a first communication device and a second communication device. The method includes using one or more processors of the first communication device to receive historical data related to the first communication device and an environment surrounding the first communication device. The one or more processors are then used to determine one or more trends in the historical data related to fading of the communication link. Based on the one or more trends, the one or more processors are used to determine a starting time and an initial search direction for a search for the communication link. The one or more processors then execute the search at the starting time from the initial search direction.