Abstract:
An improved GPS or GNSS receiver can operate at low signal levels and in the presence of RF interference including multipath. Three separate technologies known in the prior art are integrated: a) vector tracking of multiple parameters in a multi-dimensional state space; b) fast correlation processing (107) of GPS or GNSS signals; and c) multiple signal characterization based on eigenvalue/eigenvector analysis of correlation matrices.
Abstract:
A method for launch of an airship includes connecting a cargo airship to a deflated second airship, launching the cargo airship, inflating the second airship with lifting gas carried by the cargo airship while aloft; and releasing the second airship from the cargo airship. A high-altitude airship launch system is also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention uses selected network management data transmitted within VDL/4 RF subnetworks, or information derived from network management data transmitted within VDL/4 subnetworks, to efficiently manage a separate RF subnetwork or set of subnetworks. The present invention uses a VDL Mode 4 RF network as a primary transmission path for data transmitted from aircraft to ground stations, and one or more separate RF network(s) as a primary transmission path for data transmitted from ground stations to aircraft. The unique characteristics of each network provide for cost-effective two-way aeronautical networking.
Abstract:
A networking architecture for air/ground data communications implements a single network-layer protocol between a customer aircraft network interface and a customer ground system network interface, routes data between customer aircraft and associated customer ground systems, and eliminates the need for network-layer protocol conversion by service provider ground systems. To provide a transition to the new networking architecture, a transition method and a hybrid radio are provided.
Abstract:
A space transportation system which contemplates the use of multiple spacecraft or space-based base of operation, made up of at least two classes of objects which have the potential for repeated use: a) a relatively massive class of objects (Az, Ax, Ay) (man-made such as space stations and man-altered naturally occurring objects such as asteroids or comets); and b) a relatively less massive class of objects (spacecraft such as the shuttle orbiter or lunar or deep-space vehicles).
Abstract:
In one example, a long endurance airship system includes a payload airship (210) and a first logistics airship (260) mechanically joined to the payload airship to form a first combined airship, the payload airship and the logistics airship having design capabilities differing by at least a factor of two with regard to at least one of: power generation capability, propulsion capability, endurance capability, and lift capability, in which the first combined airship is free flying, lighter-than-air, and configured to maintain aloft for greater than 30 days without physical connection to the ground. Illustrative methods for long endurance airship operations are also provided.
Abstract:
Antenna diversity and antenna reuse are provided by a system comprising two or more multi-channel radios, which may optionally contain embedded GNSS user receiving equipment, with a cooperative sharing strategy among the multi-channel radios, to aeronautical packet data communications and other communications. It offers the following benefit: enhanced data communications performance in a fading environment; enhanced data communications performance at a long range; enhanced data communications performance in the presence of cochannel interference; extendable to an arbitrary number of cooperating peer radios; no single point of failure; no increase in pilot workload or change in operational procedures. If the two or more multi-channel radios contain embedded GNSS user receiving equipment, the shared data can be used to enhance the performance of the embedded GNSS user receiving equipment.
Abstract:
A space transportation system which contemplates the use of multiple spacecraft or space-based base of operation, made up of at least two classes of objects which have the potential for repeated use: a) a relatively massive class of objects (Az, Ax, Ay) (man-made such as space stations and man-altered naturally occurring objects such as asteroids or comets); and b) a relatively less massive class of objects (spacecraft such as the shuttle orbiter or lunar or deep-space vehicles).