Scott M Stephens

US Patent:

6430418, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Jun 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/596344

Inventors:

Dennis A. Nivens - Hermosa Beach CA
David A. Wright - Hermosa Beach CA
Michael S. Munoz - Redondo Beach CA
Gregory S. Caso - Hermosa Beach CA
Scott A. Stephens - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

H04B 700

US Classification:

455522, 455 69, 455 121, 455427, 370321, 370326

Abstract:

A method and system for controlling uplink power in a satellite communication system using error leveling is provided. The uplink power control system for a satellite communication system of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a communication satellite ( ) and at least one UET ( ). The communication satellite ( ) includes an error detector ( ) and a comparator ( ). The UET ( ) includes a receiver ( ) for receiving an error indicator signal from the comparator ( ), and a power profile processor ( ) for controlling the transmit power level of the particular chanslot being used by the UET in response to the error indicator. A preferred method for controlling the transmit power level of a particular chanslot assigned to a UET in a satellite communication system in accordance with the present invention includes determining an error count for an uplink data signal received from the UET in the chanslot ( ), and comparing the error count to a predetermined error threshold ( ). The method further includes generating an error indicator signal for the chanslot in response to the comparison ( ), and controlling the transmit power level of the particular chanslot in response to the error indicator ( ).

US Patent:

7026992, Apr 11, 2006

Filed:

Mar 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/096001

Inventors:

Kenneth Edward Hunt - Rock Hill SC, US
Mark Alvin Schmidt - Charlotte NC, US
David Roy Holm - Oconomowoc WI, US
Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

G01S 3/02

US Classification:

342465, 342463

Abstract:

A method for configuring a local positioning system comprises orienting a survey antenna coextensively with a primary beacon associated with a work area. A transmitter or transceiver transmits a first transmission signal from the survey antenna. A receiver or transceiver receives the first transmission at one or more secondary beacons associated with the work area. A data processor determines first elapsed times from the transmission time of the first transmission signal to at least the arrival time at respective corresponding secondary beacons. Each of the first elapsed times falls within a filtering time window, or satisfies an edge timing criteria of the coded signal, or both to reduce multi-path error. The first elapsed times are converted into a first position in at least two spatial dimensions for the primary beacon.

US Patent:

7062381, Jun 13, 2006

Filed:

Aug 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/217020

Inventors:

Andrew Karl Wilhelm Rekow - Cedar Falls IA, US
Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Deere & Company - Moline IL

International Classification:

G05D 1/02

US Classification:

701300, 342126, 342133, 367127, 367129, 367907, 367909

Abstract:

A primary transceiver of a primary vehicle transmits a first transmission signal to a first transponder and a second transponder associated with a secondary vehicle. A first transponder antenna and a second transponder antenna are associated with secondary vehicular reference points. Upon receipt of the first transmission signal, the first transponder transmits a second transmission signal to a first beacon of the primary vehicle and the primary transceiver. A transmitter antenna and the first beacon antenna are associated with primary vehicle reference points. Upon receipt of the first transmission signal, the second transponder transmits a third transmission signal to the first beacon and the primary transceiver. A data processor or estimator determines propagation times associated with the first transmission signal, the second transmission signal, and the third transmission signal. The data processor or an estimator estimates a relative position of the primary vehicle with respect to the secondary vehicle based on the primary vehicular reference points, the secondary vehicular reference points, and the determined propagation times.

US Patent:

7250901, Jul 31, 2007

Filed:

Jul 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/614097

Inventors:

Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

NavCom Technology Inc. - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G01S 13/08
H01Q 15/00

US Classification:

342146, 342 5, 342126

Abstract:

A positioning system includes a passive, isotropic reflecting landmark at a fixed position and a device. The device transmits an electromagnetic pulse having a circular polarization and receives a return signal over a period of time. The return signal includes a reflected pulse from the reflecting landmark. The processes the return signal to isolate the reflected pulse from the return signal and to determine a range from the device to the reflecting landmark. The reflecting landmark includes a first passive reflector, a second passive reflector, and a static structure configured to statically position the second passive reflector at an angle relative to the first passive reflector. The device optionally moves in a particular direction while receiving the return signal, detects a Doppler shift in the reflected pulse portion of the return signal, and determines an angle between the particular direction and a straight line between the device and the landmark.

US Patent:

7286624, Oct 23, 2007

Filed:

Jul 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/614098

Inventors:

Andrea Woo, legal representative - Orange CA, US
Russell Woo, legal representative - Palo Alto CA, US
Mark Lindsay Rentz - Torrance CA, US
Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US
Mark Phillip Kaplan - Culver City CA, US

Assignee:

Navcom Technology Inc. - Torrance CA

International Classification:

H04L 7/00
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

375356, 375358, 4554561

Abstract:

A positioning system includes a plurality of devices configured to exchange RF signals with one another. A first device periodically receives a message from each other device during time slots assigned them. The received message includes information representing a time of arrival at the other device of a respective message transmitted by the first device. A time of arrival of the message from each of the other devices is determined by the first device. The first device periodically transmits messages to the other devices, each transmitted message including information representing the determined time of arrival for at least one of the other devices. A range from the first device to each of a plurality of the other devices is determined as function of the determined time of arrival of the message from the other device and the time of arrival information in the message from the other device.

US Patent:

7315275, Jan 1, 2008

Filed:

Apr 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/103950

Inventors:

Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Navcom Technology, Inc. - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G01S 13/08
H01Q 15/00

US Classification:

342146, 342 5, 342126, 342188

Abstract:

A positioning system includes a device, having an antenna and a reflector with a known position proximate to the antenna, that transmits at least an electromagnetic pulse having a carrier signal frequency. The device receives a return signal over a period of time, wherein the return signal includes a return pulse from an object within a radar detection area of the device and at least one multi-path pulse. The device processes the return signal so as to isolate the return pulse and the at least one multi-path pulse from the return signal. The device determines a range from the device to the object and the position of the device relative to the object. The range is determined in accordance with a time of arrival of the return pulse and the position is determined in accordance with a time of arrival of the at least one multi-path pulse.

US Patent:

7385551, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Feb 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/064562

Inventors:

Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Navcom Technology, Inc. - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G01S 13/08
H01Q 15/00

US Classification:

342146, 342 5, 342126, 342188

Abstract:

A positioning system includes a passive, isotropic reflecting landmark at a fixed position and a device. The device transmits an electromagnetic pulse having a circular polarization and receives a return signal over a period of time. The return signal includes a reflected pulse from the reflecting landmark. The processes the return signal to isolate the reflected pulse from the return signal and to determine a range from the device to the reflecting landmark. The reflecting landmark includes a first passive reflector, a second passive reflector, and a static structure configured to statically position the second passive reflector at an angle relative to the first passive reflector. The device optionally moves in a particular direction while receiving the return signal, detects a Doppler shift in the reflected pulse portion of the return signal, and determines an angle between the particular direction and a straight line between the device and the landmark.

US Patent:

7427945, Sep 23, 2008

Filed:

Apr 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/103962

Inventors:

Scott Adam Stephens - Phoenix AZ, US

Assignee:

Navcom Technology, Inc. - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G01S 13/08
H01Q 15/00

US Classification:

342146, 342 5, 342126, 342188

Abstract:

A local positioning system using co-polarized and cross-polarized radar mapping is provided. In one embodiment of the method, at least a first electromagnetic pulse having a first polarization is transmitted. A first return signal preferentially having the first polarization is received over a respective period of time. The first return signal is processed so as to isolate a first return pulse corresponding to an object within a radar detection area of the positioning system. At least a second electromagnetic pulse having the first polarization is also transmitted. A second return signal preferentially having a second polarization is received over a respective period of time. The second return signal is processed so as to isolate a second return pulse corresponding to the object. A characteristic of the object is determined in accordance with a relative signal strength of the first return pulse and the second return pulse.