Flexible GNSS Device Synchronizing Multi-Antenna Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GNSS receivers face challenges in synchronizing measurements across multiple antennae, leading to inaccuracies in attitude determination due to unsynchronized clock errors, which can result in bulky and costly systems with independent oscillators, and lack of flexibility in handling varying numbers of antennae and RF down converters.
Innovation Solution
A flexible GNSS device with a single shared tracking unit that uses a common oscillator and internal measurement synchronization, allowing for concurrent sampling across all antennae, and supports multiple RF down converters and frequencies, enabling reduced hardware cost and power consumption while maintaining high accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If independent oscillators are used for each antenna in multi-antenna GNSS receivers, then measurement synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent oscillator functions into a single shared oscillator that serves all antenna channels. This is achieved through a common local oscillator (LO) distribution network that provides synchronized clock signals to multiple RF down-converters, eliminating the need for separate oscillators per antenna while maintaining measurement synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The single shared oscillator is designed to serve multiple functions across different antenna channels simultaneously. The oscillator output is distributed through a synchronization network that provides clock signals to multiple RF down-converters, enabling one oscillator to perform the role of multiple independent oscillators while reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If independent oscillators are used for each antenna, then measurement synchronization is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple oscillator components into a single shared oscillator unit, reducing the total component count and manufacturing cost. The shared oscillator feeds multiple RF down-converters through a distribution network, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble multiple independent oscillator modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared oscillator is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple antenna channels simultaneously. This multi-functional design reduces manufacturing complexity and cost by using a single proven oscillator design across all channels rather than manufacturing multiple specialized oscillator units.
3Device complexity
If a single shared tracking unit is used across multiple antennae, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different antenna configurations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability in the single shared tracking unit through software control. The system can dynamically adjust the number of active RF down-converters and antenna channels based on operational requirements, allowing the same hardware platform to adapt to different antenna configurations (e.g., 2-antenna, 4-antenna, or 6-antenna systems) without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking unit incorporates programmable parameters that can be changed to accommodate different antenna configurations. By modifying operational parameters such as the number of active channels, sampling rates, and processing configurations through software, the single tracking unit can adapt to various antenna setups while maintaining low hardware complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple RF down converters are used to support different frequencies, then adaptability to various GNSS frequencies is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency selection and RF down-converter activation. The system can dynamically enable or disable specific RF down-converters based on which GNSS frequencies are currently needed, allowing the same hardware to support multiple frequencies (GPS L1, L2, L5, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) while consuming power only for the actively used frequency channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning and selection of GNSS frequencies, activating only the necessary RF down-converters for current operational needs. This periodic activation pattern allows the multi-frequency capable system to operate in a power-efficient manner by cycling through and activating only the required frequency channels at any given time.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for receiving and processing a plurality of GNSS signals in a geo-location application to determine location, orientation and/or motion characteristics of a body on which the GNSS signal processing system is located. The system and method provide for precise synchronization of measurements of various signals and data associated with the GNSS signal processing system (including GPS systems), and provide for flexible configuration and allocation of resources used to receive and process GNSS signals to minimize power consumption and maximize efficiency and accuracy of the GNSS signal processing system. The flexibility of the system and method further provide for the scaling of one hardware system to address situations in which more or fewer antennas are employed, in which more or fewer data processing paths are needed, and in which the system is employed to determine various combinations of location, orientation, and motion characteristics.