Coherent GPS Signal Acquisition for Robust Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS signal acquisition methods are fragile and prone to failure in environments with signal power attenuation, interference, or obstruction, such as indoors or under foliage, leading to unreliable location determination.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows simultaneous acquisition of satellite ranging signals from multiple satellites using a first receiver to transmit initialization data and time synchronization to a second receiver, enabling it to search and combine satellite codes within a limited search grid, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio and reducing multi-path errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sequential GPS signal acquisition methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates in environments with signal power attenuation, interference, or obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the GPS signal acquisition process into multiple parallel channels, each dedicated to acquiring signals from different satellites simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple satellite signals in parallel rather than sequentially, improving reliability in challenging environments while managing complexity through structured organization of the acquisition process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the acquisition processes of multiple satellite signals into a unified parallel processing framework. By combining the processing of C/A codes from multiple satellites simultaneously in parallel channels, the system achieves improved signal acquisition reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Productivity
If simultaneous acquisition of multiple satellite signals is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the simultaneous multi-satellite signal acquisition into separate parallel processing channels, with each channel handling one satellite's C/A code independently. This segmentation enables rapid acquisition of multiple satellites without requiring a single complex processor to handle all signals simultaneously, thus improving productivity while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of satellite signals by pre-correlating C/A codes in parallel channels before final position calculation. This preliminary action in each parallel channel prepares the data for rapid position determination, improving overall acquisition speed while distributing computational complexity across multiple independent processing paths
3Ease of operation
If signal processing is performed in challenging environments, then measurement precision deteriorates, but the need for operation remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by using parallel channel processing to capture and process multiple satellite signals simultaneously before position calculation. This approach cushions against signal degradation in challenging environments by having redundant signal paths already processed and ready, maintaining measurement precision even when individual signals are attenuated or interfered with
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for enabling more robust detection, positioning and time solution using GPS satellite ranging signals based on a simultaneous, all-in-view coherent PRN code signal processing scheme rather than acquisition of GPS signals one at a time. Additionally, a plurality of signal processing operating modes are provided that include a Factory Start mode, a Hot Start mode, a Subsequent Fix mode and a Reacquisition mode. Each mode provides a user receiver with an ability to quickly determine its current probable location without undue delay when a prior probable location has been obtained. Preventing undue delay of predicting a probable location of the user can be especially valuable in conditions where weak signals are being received, or in high interference environments, or when signal jamming conditions are being experienced, or when a combination of such environments is present.