GNSS Message Reference Time Identifier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current messaging standards for location information in cellular systems are GPS-time based, making them incompatible with other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like Galileo, GLONASS, and QZSS, limiting their applicability and requiring either separate message definitions for each system or universal adoption of UTC, which reduces flexibility.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reference time identifier in messages to specify the time base used for location information, allowing the same message structure to be used across different GNSS systems, including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and UTC, and changing the unit of time information from chips to seconds for general usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If GPS-time based messaging standards are used, then compatibility with GPS is ensured, but compatibility with other GNSS systems (Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS) is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGNSS system compatibilityVSAvoidmessage definition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a single message structure that can serve multiple GNSS systems (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS) through the inclusion of a reference time identifier. This identifier indicates which time system is used, allowing the same message format to be universally applied across different GNSS systems without requiring separate message definitions for each system, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate message definitions are created for each GNSS system, then system-specific compatibility is achieved, but overall system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGNSS system compatibilityVSAvoidmessage definition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating separate message definitions for each GNSS system, the patent uses a universal message structure with a reference time identifier that can indicate different time systems. This single multi-functional message structure replaces what would otherwise require multiple system-specific message definitions, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining compatibility with all GNSS systems

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If UTC is adopted as the universal time base, then compatibility across all GNSS systems is achieved, but flexibility in using system-specific times is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime base compatibilityVSAvoidtime system flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the time base selection flexible through the reference time identifier. Rather than forcing UTC as a fixed universal standard, the system can dynamically adapt to different time bases (GPS time, Galileo time, GLONASS time, QZSS time, or UTC) depending on the identifier value. This dynamic adaptation maintains compatibility across all systems while preserving the flexibility to use system-specific times when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2076787B1Providing and using messages including time related information
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2076787B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2076787B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2076787B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For enhancing the transmission of time related information, a message is received or assembled, which includes a reference time identifier. The received or assembled message is provided for transmission. At a receiving end, the reference time identifier and additional information are extracted from a received message, and the additional information is processed taking account of the reference time identifier. Alternatively or in addition, the message may include a reference time, which is indicated in units of seconds.