GNSS Signal Acquisition Using Pilot-Data Differential Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acquiring GNSS signals directly is computationally complex and power-consuming due to the abundance of information and limited processing capabilities of related art receivers, posing challenges in identifying satellite parameters like PRN number and Doppler frequency.
Innovation Solution
A single-span and multi-span differential combining scheme for GNSS signal acquisition that utilizes both pilot and data channels, reducing computational complexity and power consumption while improving sensitivity and Doppler frequency estimation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct signal acquisition is performed using related art methods, then satellite parameters can be identified, but computational complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the GNSS signal into pilot signal and data signal components, processing them through separate correlation paths. The pilot signal undergoes pilot correlation followed by differential combining, while the data signal undergoes data correlation followed by differential combining. This segmentation allows selective processing of signal components to reduce overall computational complexity while maintaining parameter identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the processed pilot correlation output and data correlation output through summation to produce the final acquisition output. By combining the results from both correlation paths after individual differential combining operations, the system achieves robust parameter identification with reduced computational burden compared to processing the full signal directly.
2Reliability
If extensive search in code, Doppler frequency, and time offset domains is performed, then signal acquisition is achieved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary correlation operations on both pilot and data signals before final combination. By pre-processing the signal components through correlation and differential combining, the system prepares the data in advance for more efficient final acquisition detection, reducing the time required for extensive domain searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic differential combining operations that adaptively process correlation outputs. The differential combining stage dynamically adjusts the processing based on the correlation results, enabling faster convergence in the acquisition search across code, Doppler, and time offset domains while maintaining reliable signal detection.
3Device complexity
If related art receivers with limited processing capabilities are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but signal acquisition performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiver processing into distinct pilot and data correlation paths with separate differential combining stages. This segmentation allows limited processing capabilities to be distributed across specialized sub-processors, achieving accurate Doppler frequency estimation without requiring a single complex processing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate differential combining stages as mediators between correlation and final detection. These intermediary processing steps break down the complex estimation task into manageable stages, enabling accurate Doppler frequency estimation with simpler individual processing components rather than requiring one complex processor.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of satellite signal acquisition includes generating a pilot correlation output based on a pilot signal of a received signal from the satellite; generating a data correlation output based on a data signal of the received signal from the satellite; integrating the pilot correlation output to generate an integrated pilot output; integrating the data correlation output to generate an integrated data output; differential combining of the integrated pilot output; differential combining of the integrated data output; summing and applying a coherent integrator to generate an output signal; determining a phase of the output signal; and determining a Doppler of the output signal.