Weather Modeling System and Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for weather modeling. The method includes performing data exchange in an infrastructure network, receiving a navigation satellite system signal (5) from a navigation satellite (2) of a global positioning satellite system at infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and controlling the operation of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the received navigation satellite system signal (5). The method further includes determining an atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5), and calculating an amount of atmosphere between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for weather modeling, and more specifically, to the system according to the preamble of claim 1. The present invention relates to a method for weather modeling, and more specifically, to the method according to the preamble of claim 22.

Background Art

[0002] Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) meteorology is a concept used to calculate the GNSS signal delay between navigation satellites and GNSS receivers and derive atmospheric quantities. In a typical case, water vapor causes the largest variation in such signal delay. Also, variations in temperature and pressure contribute to the variation in GNSS signal delay. GNSS meteorology is called GPS meteorology when the GPS satellite navigation system is applied.

[0003] In the prior art, based on navigation satellite system signals from navigation satellites, meteorological calculations of atmospheric quantities such as atmospheric refractive index, humidity, temperature, or pressure are usually performed at GPS / GNSS ground stations or dedicated meteorological base stations or other global positioning satellite system (GNSS) reference networks with a very limited scope. These GNSS receiver networks receive the raw data of navigation satellite system signals. Since GNSS receivers are becoming increasingly affordable and ubiquitous, much of the potential raw signal data of navigation satellite systems is not currently being utilized much and is generally not even being saved. In a typical case, while navigation output messages containing time and position data are saved and used, the raw data of the satellite system containing more detailed information about GNSS signals is only used as intermediate data in the GNSS receiver for the more processed navigation output messages and is then discarded immediately. By saving and utilizing detailed signal data from the raw data, the global positioning satellite system can be used for meteorology in addition to its original purposes of positioning and timing. Measurements of the code and carrier phase of signals from specific navigation satellites can be used in combination with external correction data to evaluate details of meteorological parameters such as atmospheric refractive index and water vapor, temperature, pressure, etc.

[0004] One of the problems related to the prior art is that in meteorological predictions generally performed using numerical weather prediction models, in addition to signals from navigation satellite systems, a large amount of meteorological data from a number of local meteorological sensors and atmospheric weather sondes is required to generate sufficient skill meteorological predictions. The meteorological data obtained from current GNSS meteorology is insufficient to determine 3D weather models or forecasts, and due to its limited geographical scope, it is also insufficient to perform local forecasts efficiently and accurately. In other words, GNSS meteorology is one input among many other measurement data, and thus its advantages are currently limited. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by a meteorological modeling system that solves or at least alleviates the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by a weather modeling system as described in independent claim 1. The object of the present invention is further achieved by a meteorological modeling method as described in independent claim 22.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0008] The present invention is based on the idea of providing a weather modeling system. The system includes a global positioning satellite system comprising the following. A space segment having navigation satellites, A control segment having ground satellite stations, A client segment having a plurality of navigation satellite signal receiving client nodes.

[0009] The client segment includes an infrastructure network having a plurality of separate infrastructure network nodes provided across a geographical area. The infrastructure network nodes An infrastructure network communication module that performs data exchange in the infrastructure network, A navigation satellite system module having a navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals from the navigation satellites of the global positioning satellite system, An infrastructure network control module that controls data exchange via the infrastructure network communication module and controls the operation of the infrastructure network nodes based on the received navigation satellite system signals.

[0010] The system further includes a weather modeling module. The weather modeling module Determine the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node, Calculate the amount of atmosphere in the direction between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node.

[0011] In the present application, the atmospheric delay includes ionospheric delay, tropospheric delay, or both ionospheric delay and tropospheric delay.

[0012] In the present application, the tropospheric delay includes both tropospheric delay and stratospheric lower layer delay caused by dry gas, water vapor, and clouds.

[0013] The lower stratospheric delay is much smaller than the tropospheric delay.

[0014] It should be noted that the present invention is not directed to the calculation of atmospheric delay, tropospheric delay, ionospheric delay, and / or stratospheric delay itself. The delay calculation is known.

[0015] The present invention enables the provision of three-dimensional local weather forecasting and measurement by utilizing a navigation satellite system and an infrastructure network.

[0016] In some embodiments, the system includes two or more different navigation satellite systems, and the navigation satellite system module includes a multi-system navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals from the navigation satellites of the two or more navigation satellite systems.

[0017] In some other embodiments, the system includes two or more different navigation satellite systems, and the navigation satellite system module includes a first navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals from the navigation satellites of the first navigation satellite system and a second navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals from the navigation satellites of the second navigation satellite system.

[0018] By using two or more different navigation satellite systems, a better coverage rate can be achieved.

[0019] In some embodiments, the infrastructure network is a fixed infrastructure network that includes fixed infrastructure network nodes at fixed geographical locations.

[0020] The fixed infrastructure network enables accurate local prediction.

[0021] In some embodiments, the infrastructure network is a fixed communication network that includes a communication network base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location.

[0022] In some other embodiments, the infrastructure network is a mobile communication network that includes a mobile communication network base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location.

[0023] In some further embodiments, the infrastructure network is a 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, or 7G communication network that includes a communication network base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location.

[0024] The communication network provides wide-area coverage, similar to a high-density network with a large number of infrastructure nodes or base stations.

[0025] In some embodiments, the infrastructure network is an energy infrastructure network including an energy control base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location, or a road or railway infrastructure network including a road control base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location, or a lighting infrastructure network including a lighting control base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location.

[0026] In some embodiments, the infrastructure network is a mobile client infrastructure network including mobile infrastructure network nodes, or a vehicle infrastructure network including vehicle infrastructure network nodes.

[0027] The mobile client infrastructure network also provides a variable coverage rate in a graphical area without a fixed infrastructure network.

[0028] In some embodiments, the infrastructure network is a multi-client infrastructure network including fixed infrastructure network nodes at fixed geographical locations and mobile infrastructure network nodes.

[0029] The multi-client infrastructure network enables the use of both fixed infrastructure nodes and mobile infrastructure nodes.

[0030] In some embodiments, the navigation satellite system receiver is a single-frequency navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals from navigation satellites at one frequency.

[0031] In some other embodiments, the navigation satellite system receiver is a dual-frequency navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals having a first frequency and navigation satellite system signals having a second frequency.

[0032] In some further embodiments, the navigation satellite system receiver is a multi-frequency navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals at a plurality of different frequencies.

[0033] In some still further embodiments, the navigation satellite system module includes a navigation satellite system receiver of a first frequency that receives navigation satellite system signals having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system receiver of a second frequency that receives navigation satellite system signals having a second frequency.

[0034] By utilizing two or more frequencies, theoretical calculations of the ionospheric delay that depends on the signal frequency become possible.

[0035] The ionospheric delay is closely related to the electron count of the cosmic plasma in the ionosphere. By determining the electron number through the processing of the ionospheric delay, the ionospheric delay can be used for monitoring space weather.

[0036] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite signal having a first frequency and the navigation satellite system signal having a second frequency.

[0037] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on navigation satellite system signals having different frequencies.

[0038] In some embodiments, the timing of the infrastructure network nodes in the infrastructure network, or synchronization, or the infrastructure network control module that controls timing and synchronization, is based on the received navigation satellite system signal.

[0039] In some other embodiments, the navigation satellite system receiver generates a navigation output message, and the infrastructure network control module controls the timing, or synchronization, or timing and synchronization of the infrastructure network nodes in the infrastructure network based on the generated navigation output message generated by the navigation satellite system receiver.

[0040] Accordingly, the infrastructure network utilizes the time and position information provided by the signals of the navigation satellite system.

[0041] In some embodiments, the navigation satellite system receiver generates a signal characteristic output message, and the weather modeling module calculates the atmospheric delay based on the signal characteristic output message generated by the navigation satellite system receiver.

[0042] Accordingly, the weather modeling module utilizes the signal characteristics or raw data of the navigation satellite system signal.

[0043] Accordingly, the infrastructure network and the weather modeling module utilize different elements of the navigation satellite system signal, or different output messages or output data of the navigation satellite system receiver.

[0044] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module is provided to the infrastructure network nodes.

[0045] In some other embodiments, the system comprises an external weather modeling server disposed at a data exchange connection with an infrastructure network node of the infrastructure network, and the weather modeling module is provided to the external weather modeling server.

[0046] In some further embodiments, the system is provided as a distributed system, and the weather modeling module and its operations are distributed between infrastructure network nodes and an external weather modeling server disposed at a data exchange connection with an infrastructure network node of the infrastructure network.

[0047] In some further embodiments, the weather modeling module is distributed among infrastructure network nodes in such a way that the GNSS signal delay of interest is calculated at the infrastructure network nodes and the atmospheric quantity or atmospheric quantities are derived or calculated at the external weather modeling module.

[0048] The ionosphere is a dispersive medium for electromagnetic radiation of relevant frequencies. Different GNSS signal frequencies experience different signal delays according to well-known frequency-dependent formulas. Thus, when a GNSS receiver, which is part of a navigation satellite system module, receives GNSS signals at two or more frequencies, the ionospheric delay can be computationally removed. Thereby, the GNSS signal delay in the troposphere can be calculated. These delays are called tropospheric delays. The zenith tropospheric delay is the delay that a GNSS signal experiences from a navigation satellite at the zenith above the GNSS receiver. On the other hand, slant delays are the delays of GNSS signals where the signal path between the navigation satellite and the GNSS receiver is oblique.

[0049] GNSS tomography or Global Navigation Satellite System tomography refers to a method that uses multiple slant delays in an algorithm for deriving a three-dimensional field of one or more atmospheric quantities. Usually, a mathematical inverse analysis is applied in such an algorithm. The region of the atmosphere of interest (whether geographically limited or global) can be divided, for example, into a grid, and if sufficient slant delays are known, the atmospheric refractive index at each grid point can be derived by means of a mathematical inverse function method. Such a method usually employs a certain kind of optimization. Since water vapor causes the largest temporal variation of GNSS signal delay, a common method is to use meteorological surface data obtained from measurements or modeling, assume a standard atmosphere with respect to air pressure and humidity, and use the refractive index field obtained from GNSS tomography to derive a water vapor field. This is called the so-called Tropospheric Wet Delay and may include components of liquid and / or solid water (ice). When looking at the contribution of water vapor to the delay of the zenith signal, it is called the Zenith Wet Delay. Liquid water and ice can be resolved in the algorithm by using, in combination with the GNSS tomography algorithm, data from radar, satellites, or radiosondes, etc. Also, by applying some more measurement data and / or assumptions, a three-dimensional temperature distribution and air pressure distribution can be derived, and the wind can be derived by tracking the movement of the temporal features seen in the derived atmospheric refractive index, water vapor, temperature, and air pressure fields.

[0050] In a typical application, the zenith tropospheric delay is derived from multiple slant delays by a dedicated algorithm. This is usually due to the fact that there is no navigation satellite directly above the zenith of the GNSS receiver. Therefore, it is necessary to use multiple slant delays to calculate the zenith tropospheric delay. This is the delay calculated for a virtual satellite that is at the zenith of the GNSS receiver at a certain point in time.

[0051] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite signal received by the navigation satellite system module.

[0052] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal between two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite system signal received by the navigation satellite system module.

[0053] In some further embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite signal received by the navigation satellite system module, and further determines the wet delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the determined tropospheric delay.

[0054] In some still other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal between two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite system signal received by the navigation satellite system module, and further determines the wet delay of the navigation satellite system signal between two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node based on the determined tropospheric delay.

[0055] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the signal delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node using radio occultation based on the navigation satellite signal received by the navigation satellite system module during the movement of the navigation satellite with respect to one or more infrastructure network nodes. Radio occultation can be utilized by high-altitude mobile infrastructure nodes such as, for example, an aircraft. Also, radio occultation can be utilized by fixed infrastructure nodes installed at high altitudes with good horizontal visibility, such as, for example, mountainous areas, high-rise buildings, coastal areas, etc. In some embodiments, the weather modeling module performs global positioning satellite system tomography between two or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes based on the navigation satellite system signals received at the one or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0056] In some alternative embodiments, the weather modeling module performs global positioning satellite system tomography between two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite system signals received at the one or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0057] In some embodiments, global positioning satellite system tomography includes determining the atmospheric delay between two or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes, and calculating one or more atmospheric quantities between two or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay.

[0058] In some other embodiments, global positioning satellite system tomography includes determining the atmospheric delay between two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node, and calculating one or more atmospheric quantities between two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node based on the determined atmospheric delay.

[0059] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on navigation satellite system signals received by the navigation satellite system module of one or more infrastructure network nodes from two or more navigation satellites by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0060] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on navigation satellite system signals received by the navigation satellite system module of an infrastructure network node from two or more navigation satellites by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0061] In some embodiments, the infrastructure network is a fixed communication network including a communication network base station as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location, and the weather modeling module determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on navigation satellite system signals received by the navigation satellite system module of the fixed infrastructure network node from two or more navigation satellites by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0062] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the three-dimensional water vapor distribution in the atmosphere based on navigation satellite system signals received by the navigation satellite system module from two or more navigation satellites by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0063] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the three-dimensional atmospheric refractive index distribution in the atmosphere based on the determined slope delay of navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0064] In some embodiments, the system comprises one or more atmospheric sensors arranged to communicate with a weather modeling module. The weather modeling module receives atmospheric measurement data from the one or more atmospheric sensors. The weather modeling module further determines a three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signals and the atmospheric measurement data from the one or more atmospheric sensors.

[0065] In some further embodiments, the weather modeling module determines a three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities, including atmospheric refractivity, water vapor, liquid water, ice, temperature, pressure, and wind, based on the determined slant delay of the navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0066] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines a three-dimensional water vapor distribution in the atmosphere based on the determined tropospheric delay or wet delay of the navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0067] In some embodiments, the atmospheric quantity is one or more of water vapor, liquid water, atmospheric refractivity, ice, temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind.

[0068] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between a navigation satellite and two or more infrastructure network nodes, and calculates the atmospheric quantity between the navigation satellite and the two or more infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between the navigation satellite and the two or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0069] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes, and calculates the amount of atmosphere between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes.

[0070] In some further embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and two or more infrastructure network nodes, and calculates the amount of atmosphere between two or more navigation satellites and two or more infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between two or more navigation satellites and two or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0071] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between one or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes located in a predetermined geographic area, and calculates the amount of atmosphere between one or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes located in a predetermined geographic area based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between one or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0072] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between one or more navigation satellites and one or more fixed infrastructure network nodes located in a predetermined geographic area, and calculates the amount of atmosphere between one or more navigation satellites and one or more fixed infrastructure network nodes located in a predetermined geographic area based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signals between one or more navigation satellites and one or more fixed infrastructure network nodes.

[0073] In some embodiments, the atmospheric delay consists of the ionospheric delay and the tropospheric delay.

[0074] In some other embodiments, the atmospheric delay consists of only the tropospheric delay.

[0075] In some further embodiments, the atmospheric delay consists of only the ionospheric delay.

[0076] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module calculates a theoretical ionospheric delay based on a navigation satellite system signal having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system signal having a second frequency received at an infrastructure network node from the navigation satellite.

[0077] In some other embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the overall atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node, calculates a theoretical ionospheric delay based on a navigation satellite system signal having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system signal having a second frequency received at an infrastructure network node from the navigation satellite, subtracts the theoretical ionospheric delay from the overall atmospheric delay to generate a navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay, and determines the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal based on the navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay.

[0078] In some further embodiments, the weather modeling module determines the overall atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node, calculates a theoretical ionospheric delay based on a navigation satellite system signal having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system signal having a second frequency received at an infrastructure network node from the navigation satellite, subtracts the theoretical ionospheric delay from the overall atmospheric delay to generate a navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay, determines the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal based on the navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay, and subtracts the tropospheric delay determined from the overall atmospheric delay to determine an effective ionospheric delay.

[0079] The present invention further provides a method for meteorological modeling, which is characterized by being executed in relation to an infrastructure network including a plurality of separate infrastructure network nodes provided over a geographical area. The method includes exchanging data in the infrastructure network, and receiving a navigation satellite system signal from a navigation satellite of a global positioning satellite system at an infrastructure network node, and controlling the operation of the infrastructure network node based on the received navigation satellite system signal. The method further includes determining an atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the received navigation satellite system signal, and calculating an amount of atmosphere between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a navigation satellite system signal from each of two or more navigation satellites at an infrastructure network node, or In some other embodiments, the method includes receiving a navigation satellite system signal from one navigation satellite at each of two or more infrastructure network nodes, or In some further embodiments, the method includes receiving a navigation satellite system signal from each of two or more navigation satellites at two or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0081] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a navigation satellite system signal from each of two or more navigation satellites of a global positioning satellite system at an infrastructure network node.

[0082] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a navigation satellite system signal from navigation satellites at at least two different frequencies.

[0083] In some embodiments, the method includes determining a tropospheric delay of a navigation satellite signal between a navigation satellite and an infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite system signal received at the infrastructure network node.

[0084] In some other embodiments, the method includes determining a tropospheric delay of a navigation satellite system signal between two or more navigation satellites and an infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite system signal received at the infrastructure network node, or In some further embodiments, the method includes determining a tropospheric delay of a navigation satellite signal between a navigation satellite and an infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite signal received at the infrastructure network node, and further includes testing a wet delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite and the infrastructure network node based on the determined tropospheric delay, or In some still further embodiments, the method includes determining a tropospheric delay of a navigation satellite system signal between two or more navigation satellites and an infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite system signal received at the infrastructure network node, and further includes determining a wet delay of the navigation satellite system signal between the two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network node based on the determined tropospheric delay.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method includes determining a three-dimensional water vapor distribution in the atmosphere based on a navigation satellite system signal received at an infrastructure network node from two or more navigation satellites by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0086] In some other embodiments, the method includes determining a three-dimensional water vapor distribution in the atmosphere based on a determined tropospheric delay or wet delay of a satellite navigation system signal between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0087] In some embodiments, the method includes determining an atmospheric delay of a satellite navigation system signal between a navigation satellite and two or more infrastructure network nodes, and calculating an amount of atmosphere between the navigation satellite and the two or more infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay of the satellite navigation system signal between the navigation satellite and the two or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0088] In some other embodiments, the method includes determining an atmospheric delay of a satellite navigation system signal between two or more navigation satellites and infrastructure network nodes, and calculating an amount of atmosphere between the two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay of the satellite navigation system signal between the two or more navigation satellites and the infrastructure network nodes.

[0089] In some further embodiments, the method includes determining an atmospheric delay of a satellite navigation system signal between two or more navigation satellites and two or more infrastructure network nodes, and calculating an amount of atmosphere between the two or more navigation satellites and the two or more infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay of the satellite navigation system signal between the two or more navigation satellites and the two or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0090] In some embodiments, the method includes determining an atmospheric delay of a navigation satellite system signal between one or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes located in a predetermined geographic region, and calculating an amount of atmosphere between one or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes located in the predetermined geographic region based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal between the one or more navigation satellites and the one or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0091] In some other embodiments, the method includes determining an atmospheric delay of a navigation satellite system signal between one or more navigation satellites and one or more fixed infrastructure network nodes located in a predetermined geographic region, and calculating an amount of atmosphere between one or more navigation satellites and one or more fixed infrastructure network nodes located in the predetermined geographic region based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal between the one or more navigation satellites and the one or more fixed infrastructure network nodes.

[0092] In some embodiments, the method includes performing Global Positioning System tomography between two or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes based on a navigation satellite system signal received at the one or more infrastructure network nodes.

[0093] In some other embodiments, the method includes performing Global Positioning System tomography, which includes determining an atmospheric delay between two or more navigation satellites and one or more infrastructure network nodes, and calculating one or more amounts of atmosphere between the two or more navigation satellites and the one or more infrastructure network nodes based on the determined atmospheric delay, or In some further embodiments, the method includes determining a three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on satellite navigation system signals received at a satellite navigation system module of one or more infrastructure network nodes from two or more navigation satellites by global positioning satellite system tomography.

[0094] In some embodiments, the method is performed by a system as disclosed above. Accordingly, the operation of the system is interchangeable with the method and its method steps.

[0095] Advantages of the system and method of the present invention are that the accuracy of numerical weather prediction and forecasting, as well as global-scale weather analysis, is very likely to be significantly improved. When infrastructure network nodes with GNSS receivers for major network control purposes are utilized in GNSS meteorology, the coverage rate and effectiveness of the atmospheric data collected from the GNSS receivers are significantly improved. The improvement in the coverage rate and effectiveness has a great impact on weather forecasting and climate monitoring, especially in all regions covered by the infrastructure network, particularly communication networks such as 5G and future communication networks. By thus significantly improving the coverage rate and effectiveness, ultra-local weather forecasting in all regions where GNSS meteorological measurements are available via the infrastructure network and its nodes becomes possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0097] The present invention will be described in detail by way of specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0098] The systems and methods described in the context of this application include and utilize the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for meteorological modeling and calculations. In the context of this application, GNSS may be known GNSS such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the European Satellite Navigation System (Galileo), Inmarsat, the Chinese Navigation Satellite System (BeiDou), the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), the Japanese Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), the Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System (MTSAT or MSAS), as well as Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) and regional satellite systems. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented using existing and future GNSS.

[0099] Figure 1 schematically shows a general GNSS architecture. The GNSS architecture includes three main components: a space segment, a control segment, and a client segment.

[0100] The client segment may be referred to as the user segment. Also, different navigation satellite systems may be referred to as different navigation satellite constellations.

[0101] The space segment includes Global Positioning System satellites (GNSS satellites) 2 orbiting approximately 20,000 km above the Earth's surface. Each GNSS satellite broadcasts a Global Positioning System signal (GNSS signal) 5.

[0102] The control segment includes a ground network of master control stations 6, data upload stations 8, and monitoring stations 4. For example, in the case of GPS, the system includes two master control stations 6, four data upload stations 8, and sixteen monitoring stations 4 located around the world.

[0103] In each GNSS system, the master control station 6 adjusts the orbital parameters of the satellite 2 and the high-precision clock carried thereon if necessary to maintain accuracy.

[0104] The monitoring stations 4 are usually installed over a wide geographical area, monitor the signals and status of the satellites 2, and transmit this information to the master control station 6. The master control station 6 analyzes the signals and transmits orbit and time corrections to the satellites 2 through the data upload stations 8.

[0105] The client segment includes devices, apparatuses, and systems 10, 20, 22, 24, 26 that process the navigation satellite system signal 5 received from GNSS satellite 2 and are used to derive and apply position information and time information. The devices, apparatuses, and systems include portable devices and handheld devices 10 such as smartphones that include GNSS receivers. The devices, apparatuses, and systems further include vehicles such as aircraft 22, automobiles 24, and ships 26 equipped with GNSS receivers. The devices, apparatuses, and systems further include a fixed terrestrial base infrastructure network 20 that includes infrastructure network nodes equipped with GNSS receivers. The fixed terrestrial base infrastructure network 20 includes, for example, communication networks, power and electrical networks, road and railway infrastructure networks, lighting networks, district heating and cooling networks, and the like.

[0106] Both the fixed infrastructure network 20 and the mobile or movable devices and apparatuses 10, 22, 24, 26 provide an infrastructure network that includes infrastructure network nodes equipped with a navigation satellite system module having a navigation satellite system receiver. The infrastructure network node further includes an infrastructure network communication module that performs data exchange within the infrastructure network.

[0107] Figure 2 schematically shows a fixed communication network that includes a communication network base station 20 as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location. The communication network base station 20 has GNSS coordinates associated with the fixed geographical location. Thus, the geographical location of the fixed communication network base station 20 in the GNSS system is known.

[0108] In some embodiments, the communication network is a mobile communication network that includes a mobile communication network base station 20 as an infrastructure network node at a fixed geographical location.

[0109] The communication network can also be a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a local area network (LAN), or other fixed communication network including interconnected fixed infrastructure network nodes.

[0110] The communication network base station 20 includes a node element 100 that operates the communication network base station 20. The node element 100 receives the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite, performs data exchange and communication 7 within the communication network and between base stations 20, and controls the operation of the communication network and base station 20 based on the received navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0111] FIG. 3 schematically shows a fixed power network including power network stations 21, 23, 25 as infrastructure network nodes at fixed geographical locations. The power network stations can include a power plant, a power grid station 23, and a power user station 25 connected to each other by power lines 9. The power network stations 21, 23, 25 have GNSS coordinates associated with the fixed geographical locations. Thus, the geographical locations of the fixed power network stations 21, 23, 25 in the GNSS system are known.

[0112] The power network stations 21, 23, 25 include a fixed power network and a node element 100 that operates or controls the power network stations 21, 23, 25. The node element 100 receives the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite, performs data exchange and communication within the power network and between the power network stations 21, 23, 25, and controls the operation of the power network and the power network stations 21, 23, 25 based on the received navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0113] In addition, the node element 100 can be connected to the communication network 7 and the communication network base station 20, and can execute data exchange and communication within the power network and between the power network stations 21, 23, and 25.

[0114] The general structure of a fixed power network can also be applied to a district heating and cooling network having similar fixed infrastructure network nodes.

[0115] The general structure of a fixed power network can also be applied to road and railway infrastructure networks having fixed infrastructure network nodes such as sensors like cameras, temperature sensors, and motion sensors.

[0116] The general structure of a fixed power network can also be applied to a lighting network having a fixed lighting device as a fixed infrastructure network node.

[0117] FIG. 4 shows a vehicle infrastructure network including a vehicle infrastructure network node 24. The vehicle infrastructure node 24 is a mobile infrastructure node that does not have a fixed geographical location and GNSS coordinates. The vehicle infrastructure node 24 is provided as a vehicle. Therefore, the geographical location of the vehicle infrastructure node 24 changes, and the geographical location is determined and updated by using the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0118] The vehicle infrastructure node 24 may be an automobile as shown in FIG. 4, or may be a train, an aircraft 22, a ship 26, or the like. In some embodiments, the vehicle infrastructure network includes a fixed road node or a railway node.

[0119] The vehicle infrastructure node 24 includes a vehicle infrastructure network and a node element 100 that operates or controls the vehicle infrastructure node 24. The node element 100 receives a navigation satellite system signal 5 from a navigation satellite, executes data exchange and communication 6 within the vehicle infrastructure network and between the vehicle infrastructure nodes 24, and controls the operation of the vehicle infrastructure network and the vehicle infrastructure node 24 based on the received navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0120] The node element 100 may also be connected to a communication network 7 and its communication network base station 20 to execute data exchange and communication within the vehicle infrastructure network and between the vehicle infrastructure nodes 24.

[0121] Thus, in some embodiments, the infrastructure network is a fixed infrastructure network that includes fixed infrastructure network nodes at fixed geographical locations. In alternative embodiments, the infrastructure network is a mobile client infrastructure network that includes mobile infrastructure network nodes, or a vehicle infrastructure network that includes vehicle infrastructure network nodes. In still some other embodiments, the infrastructure network is a multi-client infrastructure network that includes both fixed infrastructure network nodes at fixed geographical locations and vehicle infrastructure network nodes.

[0122] FIG. 5 schematically shows the physical structure of the node element 100. The node element 100 includes an antenna device 150 that receives the navigation satellite system signal 5

[0123] In the embodiments described below, the antenna device 150 transmits and receives data within the infrastructure network and / or between the infrastructure network nodes.

[0124] The node element 100 includes an operating device 120. The operating device 120 is connected to the antenna device 150 for data exchange with the operating device and for receiving the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0125] The operating device 120 is further connected to a network core or a control center 130 at least in the communication network.

[0126] The node element 100 further includes a power supply device 140 connected to a power supply 142. The node element 100 also includes a battery connected to the power supply device 140 for backup. Also, the battery 144 may be omitted. The power supply device 140 is connected to the operating device 120 to supply power to the operating device 120.

[0127] The operating device 120 includes an infrastructure network communication module 122 for data exchange in the infrastructure network.

[0128] The infrastructure network communication module 122 includes, for example, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, 7G or higher cores, or any other telecommunications core that performs data exchange in the infrastructure network.

[0129] The operating device 120 includes a navigation satellite system module 124 having navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 for receiving the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite 2 of the global positioning satellite system.

[0130] The operating device 120 further includes an infrastructure network control module 123 that controls data exchange via the infrastructure network communication module 122 and controls the operations of the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the received navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0131] In an infrastructure network, the operations of infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 are usually required to be adjusted and controlled so that the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 operate together in an efficient and correct manner in the infrastructure network. Therefore, the timing and synchronization of infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 in the infrastructure network are required.

[0132] The infrastructure network control module 123 controls the timing and synchronization of infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 in the infrastructure network based on the navigation satellite system signal 5 with the navigation satellite system module 124.

[0133] GNSS satellites provide the receiver with x, y, z coordinates and accurate time information. The basis of the GNSS system is that the clocks of all satellites are synchronized to the accurate time. Navigation satellite 2 broadcasts the navigation satellite system signal 5 encoded with the accurate time, and the receivers 160, 162 estimate the accurate time it takes for each navigation satellite system signal 5 to travel from navigation satellite 2 to the receivers 160, 162. Then, the positions of the GNSS receivers 160, 162 are calculated as a function of the flight time of each navigation satellite system signal 5 from navigation satellite 2 to the receivers 160, 162. Therefore, the navigation satellite system signal 5 is used for the timing and synchronization of the operations of infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 in the infrastructure network. Therefore, the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 in the infrastructure network utilize the navigation satellite system signal 5 to efficiently operate the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and the infrastructure network so as to prevent errors.

[0134] FIG. 9 schematically shows GNSS receivers 160, 162. The GNNS receiver generates a navigation output message 30 which is position information and accurate time information. The infrastructure network control module 123 controls the timing, or synchronization, or timing and synchronization of infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 in the infrastructure network based on the navigation output message 30 generated by the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162. The navigation output message means navigation output data including position data and time data.

[0135] The navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 further generate a signal characteristic output message 32. The signal characteristic output message includes information on the navigation satellite signal 5 itself received from each navigation satellite at each frequency. The signal characteristic output message includes, for example, carrier phase information, code phase information, pseudo range information and pseudo range rate information. The weather modeling module 128 calculates the atmospheric delay based on the signal characteristic output message 32 generated by the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162. The signal characteristic output message means raw signal data of the navigation satellite system.

[0136] The system of the present invention further includes a weather modeling module 128. The weather modeling module 128 determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal 5 between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The weather modeling module 128 further calculates the amount of atmosphere in the direction between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 5, the weather modeling module 128 is provided to the node elements 100 of the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The weather modeling module 128 is arranged to receive the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite system module 124, or data indicating the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0138] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment in which the system comprises an external weather modeling server 129 that is communicatively connected to the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The weather modeling module 128 is provided to the external weather modeling server 129. The external weather modeling server 129 is connected to the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 via a communication network. The external weather modeling server 129 is connected to the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 via the infrastructure network communication module 122.

[0139] Accordingly, the external weather modeling server 129 is connected to the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 via a communication network and is arranged to receive the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite system module 124 of the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or data indicating the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0140] In a further alternative embodiment, the system is provided as a distributed system in which the weather modeling module 128 and its operation are distributed between the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and an external weather modeling server 129 arranged to data-exchange connect with the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 of the infrastructure network.

[0141] In one embodiment, the first sub-module of the weather modeling module 128 is provided to the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and executed at the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The first sub-module of the weather modeling module 128 determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal 5 between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0142] The second sub-module of the weather modeling module 128 is provided to the external weather modeling server 129 and executed at the external weather modeling server 129. The second sub-module of the weather modeling module 128 calculates the amount of atmosphere in the direction between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0143] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module 128 further generates a weather model based on the calculated amount of atmosphere. The weather model includes the calculated amount of atmosphere.

[0144] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module 128 further determines the geographical location of each of the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the navigation satellite signal 5 received at each of the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The weather modeling module 128 further associates the determined geographical locations of the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 with the calculated amount of atmosphere. The weather model includes the calculated amount of atmosphere and the geographical location information associated therewith. In this way, a weather model based on location information is generated.

[0145] In an alternative embodiment, the system includes one or more pre-determined weather models, and the weather modeling module 128 further updates one or more pre-determined weather models based on the calculated atmospheric quantities.

[0146] The geographical location information is associated with one or more pre-determined weather models and is also associated with the calculated atmospheric quantities such that location-based updates are performed.

[0147] The generation of the weather model or the update of one or more weather models is performed in the weather modeling module 128 within the operating device 120 of the node element 100, or in an external weather modeling server 129, or in a second sub-module of the weather modeling module 128.

[0148] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of a device implementing the operating device 120 of the node element 100. The device shown in FIG. 6 includes components from a central processing unit (CPU) 401 to an I / F 407. The CPU 401 directly or indirectly controls each device (such as a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), etc.) connected by an internal bus and executes programs and instructions for implementing the present invention. The basic input / output system (BIOS) is stored in the ROM 402.

[0149] The RAM 403 is used as a work area of the CPU 401 or as a temporary storage device for loading software modules for implementing the present invention. The hard disk drive (HDD) 404 stores an operating system (OS) which is basic software or a software module. An SSD (Solid State Drive) may be provided instead of the HDD 404.

[0150] The input device 405 inputs data from the antenna device 150 via the infrastructure network communication module 122 and the navigation satellite system module 124. The input device 405 includes an infrastructure network receiver and navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162. The output device 406 outputs data. The output device includes a transmission device of the infrastructure network or a transmission device of the communication network. The I / F is an interface that connects to the infrastructure network or the communication network. When the device is activated, the BIOS is executed by the CPU 401, the OS is loaded from the HDD 404 to the RAM 403, and the OS becomes executable. Also, according to the operation of the OS, the CPU 401 loads various software modules from the HDD 404 to the RAM 403 at any time to make them in an executable state. Various software modules are executed and operated by the CPU 401. Also, the I / F 407 is controlled by the CPU 401 according to the operation of the OS to realize communication with the infrastructure network and the communication network.

[0151] The software module includes at least the infrastructure network control module 123.

[0152] As disclosed above, in some embodiments, the software module includes at least the infrastructure network control module 123 and the weather modeling module 128 or its first sub-module.

[0153] The navigation satellite system signal 5 passes through space from the navigation satellite 2 to the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162. Most of space is nearly a vacuum. To calculate an accurate position, the receiver needs to know the length and straight path of the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite 2 to the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 and the infrastructure network nodes. Radio waves do not travel in a straight path. The navigation satellite system signal 5 moving from the navigation satellite 2 to the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 is bent when passing through different layers during movement. This bending affects and increases the time it takes for the navigation satellite system signal 5 to move from the navigation satellite to the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162.

[0154] By comparing the straight line of sight with the actual path along which the signal travels, it is possible to determine how much and which atmospheric variables different from the atmosphere affect the navigation satellite system signal 5. The weather modeling module 128 calculates the amount of water vapor, pressure, and temperature in the atmosphere using the characteristics of the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0155] Figure 8 shows a schematic configuration example of the weather modeling module 128. The weather modeling module 128 includes components from the input unit 101 to the output unit 107.

[0156] The input unit 101 receives the navigation satellite system signal 5 or data indicating the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0157] The zenith tropospheric delay unit 102 determines the zenith tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal 5 between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the navigation satellite system signal 5 received by the navigation satellite system module 124.

[0158] The zenith tropospheric delay unit 102 comprises a zenith tropospheric delay calculation algorithm that calculates the zenith tropospheric delay based on the navigation satellite system signal 5. The navigation satellite system signal 5 is input into the tropospheric delay calculation algorithm. The output of the zenith tropospheric delay calculation algorithm is the zenith tropospheric delay between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0159] In some embodiments, the zenith tropospheric delay unit 102 calculates the zenith wet delay of the navigation satellite system signal 5 between two or more navigation satellites 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the determined zenith tropospheric delay.

[0160] The navigation satellite system signal 5 is non-dispersively refracted by the atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere), and the signal delay at a specific elevation and azimuth angle is mapped to form the zenith tropospheric delay (ZTD). ZTD is caused by the hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic components of the atmosphere and is mapped to the zenith using separate mapping algorithms for hydrostatic pressure and moisture. Since the hydrostatic gas in the atmosphere is well mixed, the zenith hydrostatic delay (ZHD) can be accurately calculated using local surface pressure and temperature measurements. The additional delay caused by water vapor is the zenith wet delay (ZWD). Therefore, the zenith wet delay is calculated by subtracting the zenith hydrostatic delay from the zenith tropospheric delay.

[0161] FIG. 10 schematically shows the bending of the navigation satellite system signal 5 between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. The straight line 5’ indicates the straight line from the navigation satellite 2 to the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and the curve 5 indicates the actual path of the navigation satellite system signal 5.

[0162] The atmospheric quantity unit 104 calculates the atmospheric quantity in the direction between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0163] The atmospheric quantity unit 104 includes an atmospheric quantity calculation algorithm that calculates one or more atmospheric quantities based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0164] The atmospheric quantity is one or more of temperature, pressure, and humidity in the atmosphere.

[0165] The atmospheric quantity unit 104 includes an atmospheric temperature calculation algorithm that calculates atmospheric temperature. In another embodiment, the atmospheric quantity unit 104 includes an atmospheric pressure calculation algorithm that calculates atmospheric temperature. In a further embodiment, the atmospheric quantity unit 104 includes an atmospheric humidity calculation algorithm that calculates atmospheric humidity.

[0166] In yet another embodiment, the atmospheric quantity unit 104 includes an atmospheric quantity calculation algorithm that calculates one or more of atmospheric humidity, atmospheric temperature, atmospheric pressure, and atmospheric wind.

[0167] The determined atmospheric delay is input into the atmospheric quantity calculation algorithm. The output of the atmospheric quantity calculation algorithm indicates the atmospheric quantity in the atmosphere in the direction between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0168] In some embodiments, the atmospheric delay input into the atmospheric quantity calculation algorithm is the zenith wet delay or the zenith tropospheric delay. In some other embodiments, the atmospheric delay input into the atmospheric quantity calculation algorithm includes both the zenith wet delay and the zenith tropospheric delay.

[0169] The tomography unit 105 determines the three-dimensional water vapor distribution in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signals 5 received from two or more navigation satellites 2 by the navigation satellite system module 124.

[0170] The tomography unit 105 comprises a tomography calculation algorithm that calculates the atmospheric water vapor between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network node based on the navigation satellite signals 5 received at the infrastructure network node.

[0171] In some embodiments, the determined atmospheric delay is input into the tomography calculation algorithm. The output of the tomography calculation algorithm is a three-dimensional water vapor model showing the three-dimensional distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere.

[0172] In some embodiments, the atmospheric delay input into the tomography calculation algorithm is the zenith wet delay or the zenith tropospheric delay. In some further embodiments, the atmospheric delay input into the tomography calculation algorithm includes both the zenith wet delay and the zenith tropospheric delay.

[0173] In a further embodiment, the output of the atmospheric amount calculation algorithm is input into the tomography calculation algorithm. The output of the tomography calculation algorithm is a three-dimensional water vapor model showing the three-dimensional distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere. Thus, the input is a value indicating the amount of atmosphere in the atmosphere in the direction between the navigation satellite 2 and the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0174] The modeling unit 106 generates a weather model based on the calculated amount of atmosphere or updates a pre-determined weather model as described above. The weather model includes one or more of the calculated amounts of atmosphere. In some embodiments, the weather model includes one or more of the calculated amounts of atmosphere and / or a three-dimensional water vapor model showing the three-dimensional distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere based on the tomography unit 105.

[0175] The output unit 107 outputs the weather model generated by the weather modeling module 128.

[0176] The weather modeling module 128 includes a database 110.

[0177] The database 110 includes a navigation satellite system signal database 111 that stores the raw signal data received by the infrastructure network nodes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

[0178] The database 110 includes a process database 112 that stores the outputs of one or more of the zenith tropospheric delay unit 102, the atmospheric mass unit 104, and the tomography unit 105.

[0179] The database 110 is provided with a model database 113 that stores the weather model and / or a predetermined weather model.

[0180] The system of the present invention may include one or more different global positioning satellite systems. Accordingly, the navigation satellite system module 124 includes multi-system navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 that receive navigation satellite system signals 5 from the navigation satellites 2 of two or more global positioning satellite systems. Alternatively, the navigation satellite system module 124 includes a first navigation satellite system receiver 160 that receives a navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite 2 of the first global positioning satellite system, and a second navigation satellite system receiver 162 that receives a navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite 2 of the second global positioning satellite system.

[0181] The navigation satellite 2 transmits the navigation satellite system signal 5 at a plurality of different frequencies.

[0182] In some embodiments, the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 are single-frequency navigation satellite system receivers that receive the navigation satellite system signal 5 from the navigation satellite 2 at one frequency.

[0183] In some preferred embodiments, the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 are dual-frequency navigation satellite system receivers that receive navigation satellite system signals 5 having a first frequency and navigation satellite system signals 5 having a second frequency.

[0184] In some other preferred embodiments, the navigation satellite system receivers 160, 162 are multi-frequency navigation satellite system receivers that receive navigation satellite system signals 5 at a plurality of different frequencies.

[0185] In some other preferred embodiments, the navigation satellite system module 124 includes a first-frequency navigation satellite system receiver 160, 162 that receives navigation satellite system signals 5 having a first frequency and a second-frequency navigation satellite system receiver 160, 162 that receives navigation satellite system signals 5 having a second frequency.

[0186] In some embodiments, the global positioning satellite system module receives GPS signals, and the GPS signals have at least two of the frequency bands L1, L2, and L5.

[0187] In some other embodiments, the global positioning satellite system module receives GLONASS system signals, and the GLONASS system signals have at least two of the frequency bands G1, G2, and G3.

[0188] In some further embodiments, the global positioning satellite system module receives Galileo system signals, and the Galileo system signals have at least two of the frequency bands E1, E5a, E5b, and E6.

[0189] In a further embodiment, the global positioning satellite system module receives the frequency bands L1, L2, and L5.

[0190] In some other embodiments, the global positioning satellite system module receives Glonass system signals, and the Glonass system signals include at least two of the frequency bands G1, G2, G3, E1, E5a, E5b, E6, L1, L2, and L5.

[0191] In some other embodiments, the navigation satellite system module receives quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) system signals, and the QZSS system signals include at least two frequency bands L1 and L5.

[0192] The delay of the navigation satellite system signal usually includes an ionospheric part and a tropospheric part. Using a multi-frequency receiver, a two-frequency receiver, or two or more receivers can remove the ionospheric part of the delay. Since the ionospheric delay varies with frequency, it has different effects on various GNSS signals. By comparing the delays of two or more different frequencies, the ionospheric part of the delay can be removed. Therefore, the amount of the atmosphere can be calculated more accurately. In the context of this application, the amount of the atmosphere and the atmospheric delay are related to the amount of the troposphere and the tropospheric delay.

[0193] FIG. 11 schematically shows that each of the infrastructure network nodes 20 receives navigation satellite system signals 5 from a plurality of navigation satellites 2. Therefore, the amount of the atmosphere and meteorological modeling are performed in multiple directions from each of the infrastructure network nodes 20.

[0194] FIG. 12 further schematically shows a plurality of infrastructure network nodes 20 each receiving navigation satellite system signals 5 from a plurality of navigation satellites 2. Therefore, the three-dimensional distribution of the amount of the atmosphere is determined, and a three-dimensional weather model is generated.

[0195] FIG. 12 further discloses that the system includes one or more atmospheric sensors 200 disposed in communication connection with a weather modeling module 128. The sensors 200 may be sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, etc. The sensors 200 are connected to the weather modeling module 128, for example, via a communication network.

[0196] The weather modeling module 128 receives atmospheric measurement data from one or more atmospheric sensors 200 and determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signal 5 and the atmospheric measurement data from one or more atmospheric sensors 200.

[0197] In some embodiments, the weather modeling module 128 receives accurate orbit data, i.e., ephemeris, from an external ephemeris server such as IGS. The ephemeris server determines or calculates the accurate orbit data of the navigation satellite. There is a slight inaccuracy in the orbit data received together with the navigation satellite system signal that is removed by calculations performed by the ephemeris server. The weather modeling module 128 receives accurate orbit data from the ephemeris server and determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signal 5 and the ephemeris data, and also using the atmospheric measurement data from the sensors 200.

[0198] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. However, the present invention is by no means limited to the above embodiments and can vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system for meteorological modeling having a global positioning satellite system, comprising: a space segment having navigation satellites (2); a control segment having ground satellite stations (4, 6, 8); a client segment having a plurality of navigation satellite signal receiving client nodes (10, 20, 22, 24, 26), wherein the client segment includes an infrastructure network having a plurality of individual infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) provided over a geographical area, wherein the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) include an infrastructure network communication module (122) for performing data exchange in the infrastructure network, a navigation satellite system module (124) having a navigation satellite system receiver (160, 162) for receiving navigation satellite system signals (5) from the navigation satellites (2) of the global positioning satellite system, and an infrastructure network control module (123) for controlling data exchange via the infrastructure network communication module (122) and controlling the operation of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the received navigation satellite system signals (5), wherein the system further comprises a weather modeling module (128), wherein the weather modeling module (128) determines an atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and calculates an amount of atmosphere between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), system.

2. The system comprises two or more different global positioning satellite systems, wherein the navigation satellite system module (124) A multi-system navigation satellite system receiver (160, 162) that receives navigation satellite system signals (5) from the navigation satellites (2) of two or more global positioning satellite systems, or A first navigation satellite system receiver (160) that receives navigation satellite system signals (5) from the navigation satellites (2) of a first global positioning navigation satellite system, and A second navigation satellite system receiver (162) that receives navigation satellite system signals (5) from the navigation satellites (2) of a second global positioning navigation satellite system, Comprising The system according to claim 1.

3. The infrastructure network is a fixed infrastructure network including fixed infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at fixed geographical locations, The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The infrastructure network is A fixed communication network including a communication network base station as the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location, A mobile communication network including a mobile communication network base station as the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location, or A 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G or 7G communication network including a communication network base station as the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location, The system according to claim 3.

5. The infrastructure network is An energy infrastructure network including an energy control base station as the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location, or, A road or railway infrastructure network including a road control base station as the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location, or, A lighting infrastructure network including a lighting control base station as the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location The system of claim 3.

6. The infrastructure network is a mobile client infrastructure network including mobile infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or a vehicle infrastructure network including vehicle infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), The system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The infrastructure network is a fixed infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at a fixed geographical location, and mobile infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), a multi-client infrastructure network including The system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. The navigation satellite system receiver (160, 162) is a single-frequency navigation satellite system receiver that receives a navigation satellite system signal (5) from a navigation satellite (2) at one frequency, a dual-frequency navigation satellite system receiver that receives a navigation satellite system signal (5) having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system signal (5) having a second frequency, or a multi-frequency navigation satellite system receiver that receives navigation satellite system signals (5) at a plurality of different frequencies, or the navigation satellite system module (124) includes a navigation satellite system receiver (160, 162) of a first frequency that receives a navigation satellite system signal (5) having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system receiver (160, 162) of a second frequency that receives a navigation satellite system signal (5) having a second frequency, The system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

9. The weather modeling module (128) determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on a navigation satellite signal (5) having a first frequency and a navigation satellite system signal (5) having a second frequency, or The navigation satellite modeling module (128) determines the atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the navigation satellite system signals (5) having different frequencies. The system according to claim 8.

10. The infrastructure network control module (123) controls the timing, or synchronization, or timing and synchronization of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) within the infrastructure network based on the received navigation satellite system signal (5), or The navigation satellite system receivers (160, 162) generate a navigation output message (30), and the infrastructure network control module (123) controls the timing, or synchronization, or timing and synchronization of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) within the infrastructure network based on the navigation output message (30) generated by the navigation satellite system receivers (160, 162). The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The navigation satellite system receivers (160, 162) generate a signal characteristic output message (32). The weather modeling module (128) calculates the atmospheric delay based on the signal characteristic output message (32) generated by the navigation satellite system receivers (160, 162). The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The weather modeling module (128) is provided to the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or The system includes an external weather modeling server (129) arranged to be data exchange-connected to the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) of the infrastructure network, and the weather modeling module (128) is provided to the external weather modeling server (129), or The system is provided as a distributed system, and the weather modeling module (128) and its operations are distributed between the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) and the external weather modeling server (129) arranged with data exchange connection to the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) of the infrastructure network. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The weather modeling module (128) Based on the navigation satellite signal (5) received by the navigation satellite system module (124), the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or Based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received by the navigation satellite system module (124), the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) between two or more of the navigation satellites (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) To determine. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The weather modeling module (128) performs global positioning navigation satellite system tomography between two or more of the navigation satellites (2) and one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received by one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or The weather modeling module (128) performs global positioning satellite system tomography between two or more of the navigation satellites (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received by one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The global positioning satellite system tomography determines an atmospheric delay between two or more of the navigation satellites (2) and one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and based on the determined atmospheric delay, calculates one or more atmospheric amounts between two or more of the navigation satellites (2) and one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or The global positioning satellite system tomography determines an atmospheric delay between two or more navigation satellites (2) and infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and based on the determined atmospheric delay, calculates one or more atmospheric amounts between two or more navigation satellites (2) and infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). The system according to claim 14.

16. The weather modeling module (128) determines a three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric amounts in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signals (5) received by the global positioning satellite system tomography from two or more of the navigation satellites (2) in the navigation satellite system module (124) of one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or The weather modeling module (128) determines a three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric amounts in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signals (5) received by the global positioning satellite system tomography from two or more navigation satellites (2) in the navigation satellite system module (124) of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). The system according to claim 14 or 15.

17. The infrastructure network is a fixed communication network including communication network base stations as the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) at fixed geographical locations. The weather modeling module (128) determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signals (5) received by the navigation satellite system module (124) of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) fixed from two or more navigation satellites (2) by global positioning satellite system tomography. The system according to claim 15 or 16.

18. The system includes one or more atmosphere sensors (200) arranged in communication connection with the weather modeling module (128). The weather modeling module (128) receives atmospheric measurement data from one or more of the atmosphere sensors (200), and the weather modeling module (128) determines the three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric quantities in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signals (5) and the atmospheric measurement data from one or more atmosphere sensors (200). The system according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. The atmospheric quantity is one or more of the refractive index of the atmosphere, water vapor, temperature, pressure, humidity, liquid water, ice, and wind. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The atmospheric delay includes ionospheric delay and tropospheric delay. The atmospheric delay includes only tropospheric delay, or The atmospheric delay includes only ionospheric delay. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. The weather modeling module (128) calculates the theoretical ionospheric delay based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) having the first frequency and the navigation satellite system signal (5) having the second frequency received by the navigation satellite (2) at the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or The weather modeling module (128) determines the overall atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). Calculating a theoretical ionospheric delay based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) having the first frequency and the navigation satellite system signal (5) having the second frequency received by the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) from the navigation satellite (2); Subtracting the theoretical ionospheric delay from the overall atmospheric delay to generate a navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay; and Determining a tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) based on the navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay, or The meteorological modeling module (128) is Determining an overall atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26); Calculating a theoretical ionospheric delay based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) having the first frequency and the navigation satellite system signal (5) having the second frequency received by the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) from the navigation satellite (2); Subtracting the theoretical ionospheric delay from the overall atmospheric delay to generate a navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay; Determining the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) based on the navigation satellite system signal without ionospheric delay; and Subtracting the determined tropospheric delay from the overall atmospheric delay to determine an effective ionospheric delay, is performed The system according to claim 20.

22. A method of meteorological modeling, comprising: The method is executed in relation to an infrastructure network including a plurality of separate infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) provided over a geographical area; Exchanging data in the infrastructure network; Receiving a navigation satellite system signal (5) from a navigation satellite (2) of a global positioning satellite system at the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26); and Controlling the operation of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the received navigation satellite system signal (5). The method further comprises: determining an atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the received navigation satellite system signal (5); calculating an amount of atmosphere between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the determined atmospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26); The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising: receiving, at the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), navigation satellite system signals (5) from two or more navigation satellites (2); receiving, at two or more infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), one navigation satellite system signal (5) from one navigation satellite (2); or receiving, at two or more infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), navigation satellite system signals (5) from two or more navigation satellites (2). The method according to claim 22, further comprising: receiving, at the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), navigation satellite system signals (5) from navigation satellites (2) of two or more global positioning satellite systems; The method according to claim 22 or 23, further comprising: receiving the navigation satellite system signal (5) from the navigation satellite (10) at at least two different frequencies; The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, further comprising: determining a tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) between the navigation satellite (2) and the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received at the infrastructure network node (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26); or ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Determining the tropospheric delay of the navigation satellite system signal (5) between two or more of the navigation satellites (2) and the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received by the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26). comprising The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25.

27. Delete old 26, 27 Performing global positioning satellite system tomography between two or more navigation satellites (2) and one or more infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received by one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), or Performing global positioning satellite system tomography, wherein the global positioning satellite system tomography Determining the atmospheric delay between two or more navigation satellites (2) and one or more infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and calculating one or more atmospheric amounts between two or more navigation satellites (2) and one or more infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) based on the determined atmospheric delay, or Performing global positioning satellite system tomography including determining a three-dimensional distribution of one or more atmospheric amounts in the atmosphere based on the navigation satellite system signal (5) received by the navigation satellite system module (124) of one or more of the infrastructure network nodes (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) from two or more navigation satellites (2) by global positioning satellite system tomography. comprising The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26.

28. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 27, performed using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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