GNSS Signal Synchronization Using BCH Lookup Tables in Noise

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers face challenges in robustly detecting GNSS satellite signals in noisy environments due to corruption of navigation messages, necessitating effective error correction and synchronization methods.

Innovation Solution

The method involves downconverting and synchronizing pilot and data components of GNSS signals, using Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) error correction coding to generate lookup tables for potential error corrections, and sampling data symbols to determine frame synchronization and decode navigation messages, allowing for efficient synchronization and position determination even in noisy conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BCH error correction coding is applied to navigation message, then reliability of signal detection in noisy environments is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for error correction decoding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection reliabilityVSAvoidreceiver complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-generates all possible valid BCH-encoded navigation message patterns and stores them in a lookup table before signal reception. During operation, the receiver simply compares the received (potentially corrupted) message against this pre-computed table, avoiding complex real-time error correction decoding. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high reliability through BCH coding while reducing operational complexity through pre-computation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of all possible valid navigation messages (encoded with BCH) and stores them in a lookup table. Instead of performing complex error correction decoding on the received message, the system copies the received message and compares it against the pre-stored valid patterns. This copying approach maintains reliability while simplifying the receiver architecture by replacing complex decoding logic with straightforward pattern matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive error correction decoding is implemented, then navigation message detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage detection accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-computes and stores all possible valid BCH-encoded navigation messages in a lookup table before the receiver needs to process actual signals. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming real-time error correction decoding, allowing the receiver to quickly compare incoming messages against the pre-prepared table and achieve both high accuracy and fast synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of implementing full comprehensive error correction decoding which would be time-consuming, the patent uses a partial approach by pre-generating only the necessary valid message patterns and storing them in a lookup table. This partial action (pre-computation of valid patterns) provides sufficient error correction capability while dramatically reducing processing time during actual signal reception and synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing GNSS receivers are retrofitted with error correction capability, then adaptability to noisy environments is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to hardware modification requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem integration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements error correction capability by copying and storing pre-computed valid navigation message patterns in a lookup table within the existing receiver. This approach adds adaptability to noisy environments without requiring hardware modifications, as it uses software-based pattern matching against the copied valid patterns. The solution maintains ease of manufacture by integrating seamlessly into existing receiver architectures through software updates alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes existing GNSS receivers universally adaptable to different noisy environments by implementing a software-based error correction scheme that works across various signal conditions. The lookup table containing all valid BCH-encoded patterns provides universal error correction capability that can handle different noise levels and corruption types without requiring hardware changes, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10574437B1Apparatus and method for synchronization of global navigation satellite system signal synchronization in a noisy environment
Publication Date: 2020.02.25 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • US10574437B1 patent drawing
  • US10574437B1 patent drawing
  • US10574437B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided for performing consistency testing for a Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) error corrected first sub-frame of navigation message broadcast from a satellite of a GNSS. Consistency testing is performed by comparing BCH encoded portion(s)s of data symbols with elements of look up table(s) to see if such portions are similar to element(s) of the look up table(s).