External GNSS Antenna Connector Module for Dual-Frequency Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices with integrated GNSS antennas are limited in performance due to the inability to fully utilize dual frequency GNSS chipsets, leading to suboptimal position, velocity, and time (PVT) accuracy, and conventional solutions are cumbersome or burdensome on battery life.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that couples an external GNSS antenna to a mobile device via its existing communication port, utilizing a connector module with filters, analog/digital converters, and an encryption processor to process and transmit GNSS signals to the device's internal chipset, enabling multifrequency GNSS functionality without the need for specific antennas or software-defined radios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single specific antenna is used with software defined radio to leverage dual frequency GNSS chipset, then GNSS tracking functions can be accomplished, but the software defined radio burdens the battery and the solution is limited to a single antenna type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the software defined radio functionality from the mobile device and relocates it to the external antenna system. The external antenna includes a RF front end with signal processing capabilities, analog-to-digital converters, and dual frequency band reception (L1 and L5) that previously required execution within the mobile device processor. This extraction eliminates the need for the mobile device processor to perform computationally intensive signal processing, thereby reducing battery consumption while maintaining full GNSS tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary external antenna system that acts as a bridge between the satellite signals and the mobile device. This external antenna system includes a RF front end, signal processing circuitry, and connection interface that mediates the GNSS signal reception and preprocessing before transmitting to the mobile device. The intermediary handles the computationally intensive tasks externally, allowing the mobile device to receive pre-processed signals without burdening its battery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Faraday cages or hardware modifications are used to couple generic antenna to mobile device, then internal dual frequency GNSS chipset can be leveraged, but the configurations are bulky and cumbersome and hardware modifications are tedious and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal external antenna system with a standardized connection interface that can be coupled to the mobile device without any hardware modifications. The external antenna includes a RF front end capable of receiving and processing dual frequency band GNSS signals (L1 and L5) and interfacing with the mobile device through a standard connector. This universal design allows any mobile device with a compatible port to utilize the external antenna system, eliminating the need for device-specific modifications or bulky Faraday cage structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware modification approach (such as installing Faraday cages or modifying device housing) with an electrical/electronic solution. Instead of physically altering the mobile device structure, the system uses an external antenna with integrated RF front end and signal processing circuitry that connects through an electrical interface. This substitution eliminates tedious hardware modifications and bulky structures while maintaining dual frequency GNSS functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If internal GNSS antenna is used in mobile device, then integration is achieved, but performance is limited due to form factor constraints preventing full utilization of dual frequency GNSS chipset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the GNSS system into separate functional components housed in an external antenna unit. The external antenna includes a RF front end, signal processing circuitry, dual frequency band receivers (L1 and L5), and connection interface, separating these functions from the mobile device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the external antenna can be designed with larger antenna elements and more sophisticated signal processing capabilities without being constrained by the mobile device's compact form factor, thereby improving PVT accuracy while maintaining ease of integration through a simple connector interface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances PVT accuracy to decimeter levels, reduces battery burden, and offers flexible antenna placement and performance characteristics not limited by the mobile device's form factor, while supporting various external antennas and correction services.
Implementation Method 1
The external antenna may receive GNSS signals from one or more GNSS satellites and the GNSS signals may be transmitted to a connector module of the connector
Implementation Method 2
one or more filters of the connector module may perform signal processing functions on the received GNSS signals to remove unwanted signal components
Implementation Method 3
One or more analog/digital converters of the connector module may convert the filtered GNSS signals, in analog format, to one or more digital radio frequency (RF) signals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a connector to connect an external antenna to a mobile device. GNSS signals, associated with at least two different frequency bands, may be received at the external antenna and the GNSS signals may be transmitted to a connector module of the connector. The connector module may convert analog GNSS signals to generate digital radio frequency (RF) signals. The connector module may encrypt the digital RF signals to generate encrypted digital RF signals. The encrypted digital RF signals may be transmitted from the connector module to the mobile device. A multifrequency GNSS functionality module of the chipset may utilize decrypted digital RF signals to obtain GNSS raw measurements. The multifrequency GNSS functionality module and/or an application executing on the mobile device may utilize the GNSS raw measurements to compute position, velocity, and/or time (PVT).