A method of direction finding (DF) positioning involving main lobe and grating lobe identification in a wireless communication network is proposed. A receiver performs DF algorithm on radio signals associated with multiple antennas over a first channel frequency and estimates a first set of DF solutions. The receiver performs DF algorithm on radio signals associated with multiple antennas over a second channel frequency and estimates a second set of DF solutions. The receiver then identifies the correct DF solution (e.g., the main lobe direction) by comparing the first set of DF solutions and the second set of DF solutions.

The present disclosure provides a computer implemented method of providing an indicator useful for piloting an aircraft. The aircraft comprises an antenna configured to communicate with a transceiver. The method comprises: obtaining an antenna envelope characterizing directions relative to the aircraft for which a directive gain of the antenna exceeds a predetermined threshold; determining a direction of the transceiver relative to the aircraft; calculating a maneuvering range of the aircraft by comparing the antenna envelope and the transceiver direction, wherein the maneuvering range is indicative of eligible orientations of the aircraft for maintaining the transceiver within the antenna envelope; and outputting data indicative of the maneuvering range.

The present disclosure provides a computer implemented method of providing an indicator useful for piloting an aircraft. The aircraft comprises an antenna configured to communicate with a transceiver. The method comprises: obtaining an antenna envelope characterizing directions relative to the aircraft for which a directive gain of the antenna exceeds a predetermined threshold; determining a direction of the transceiver relative to the aircraft; calculating a maneuvering range of the aircraft by comparing the antenna envelope and the transceiver direction, wherein the maneuvering range is indicative of eligible orientations of the aircraft for maintaining the transceiver within the antenna envelope; and outputting data indicative of the maneuvering range.

The disclosure provides a method for estimating a direction of arrival of an L-type coprime array based on coupled tensor decomposition. The method includes: constructing an L-type coprime array with separated sub-arrays and modeling a received signal; deriving a fourth-order covariance tensor of the received signal of the L-type coprime array; deriving a fourth-order virtual domain signal corresponding to an augmented virtual uniform cross array; dividing the virtual uniform cross array by translation; constructing a coupled virtual domain tensor by stacking a translation virtual domain signal; and obtaining a direction of arrival estimation result by coupled virtual domain tensor decomposition. The present invention makes full use of the spatial correlation property of the virtual domain tensor statistics of the constructed L-type coprime array with the separated sub-arrays, and realizes high-precision two-dimensional direction of arrival estimation by coupling the virtual domain tensor processing, which can be used for target positioning.

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.

An antenna apparatus for use in a wireless network and method of operating such an antenna apparatus are provided. A wireless network controller provides a configuration of such an antenna apparatus, a method of operating such a wireless network controller, and a resulting wireless network. The antenna apparatus comprises a directional antenna and a uniform circular antenna array. The directional antenna can be rotatably positioned about an axis with respect to a fixed mounting portion of the apparatus in dependence on wireless signals received by the antenna array. The antenna array allows the antenna apparatus to receive wireless signals isotropically and thus to accurately monitor the wireless signal environment in which it finds itself. The antenna apparatus can thus monitor and characterise incoming signals, both from external interference sources and from other network nodes, and the directional antenna can then be positioned in rotation to improve the network throughput.

A direction finding system is provided. It serves the purpose of finding a direction of an electromagnetic signal. The direction finding system comprises an antenna system for receiving the electromagnetic signal and a direction finder for determining the direction of the electromagnetic signal. The direction finder comprises a direction determiner, adapted to determine a number of possible directions, and a direction evaluator, adapted to evaluate the possible directions and determine the direction of the electromagnetic signal therefrom.

A direction finding system is provided. It serves the purpose of finding a direction of an electromagnetic signal. The direction finding system comprises an antenna system for receiving the electromagnetic signal and a direction finder for determining the direction of the electromagnetic signal. The direction finder comprises a direction determiner, adapted to determine a number of possible directions, and a direction evaluator, adapted to evaluate the possible directions and determine the direction of the electromagnetic signal therefrom.

The present invention relates to a method for automatically assisting with the landing of an aircraft on a runway from a return point (A) to a completion point (D), at which the aircraft touches the runway, by means of a data-processing device on-board said aircraft, which device is configured to be connected to an altimeter and a deviation meter, the method including: a return-navigation assistance phase including guidance of the aircraft, on the basis of measurements of the azimuth deviation of the aircraft relative to a reference direction linking said return point (A) and the position of the deviation meter (E) transmitted by said deviation meter, from the return point (A) towards the position of the deviation meter (E), determination of the position of the aircraft at a predetermined capture point (B) that is aligned with the return point (A) and the position of the deviation meter (E), and guidance of the aircraft along a predetermined path from the capture point (B) to a predetermined holding point (C), which is approximately aligned with the axis of the runway, on the basis of altitude data provided by the altimeter and heading and speed data relating to the aircraft, a landing assistance phase including guidance from the holding point (C) to the completion point (D).

A rotatable antenna apparatus has a fixed unit for attachment of the apparatus to an external structure, and a rotatable unit mounted on the fixed unit and comprising an antenna assembly and processing circuitry coupled to the antenna assembly for signal processing. An interface unit, coupled to both the fixed unit and the rotatable unit, routes a cable to provide a wired connection from the fixed unit to the processing circuitry. The interface unit includes a cable housing within which a coiled length of the cable is enclosed. A control mechanism coupled to the interface unit constrains the amount to which the length of cable is wound and unwound within the cable housing to inhibit application of a stretching stress on the cable during rotatable unit rotation. This provides a very efficient, cost effective mechanism for providing a wired connection to the processing circuitry included within the rotatable unit.