Dual-IC GNSS Positioning Timing Synchronization Across L1 and L5
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite positioning systems face synchronization issues between different frequency bands, leading to inaccurate timing of signal reception and processing, which affects the accuracy of positioning calculations.
Innovation Solution
A positioning device with two integrated circuits (ICs) that synchronize operation timing using a synchronization signal to align the processing of satellite signals in different frequency bands, specifically L1 and L5, by transmitting a synchronization signal from a master IC to a slave IC, reducing timing differences and improving synchronization accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If satellite signals in different frequency bands are processed by separate GNSS reception circuits, then dual-frequency satellite observation values can be acquired, but the timing of receiving satellite signals and extracting baseband signals is not synchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing control functions of multiple GNSS reception circuits by having the master circuit generate a synchronization signal that is transmitted to and used by the slave circuit. This combines the timing control into a single unified source, ensuring that both L1 and L2/L5 frequency bands process signals at synchronized timing while maintaining separate processing paths for dual-frequency observation acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization signal acts as an intermediary between the master GNSS reception circuit and the slave GNSS reception circuit. This intermediary signal carries timing information from the master circuit to the slave circuit, enabling precise coordination of baseband signal extraction timing without requiring direct coupling or shared hardware resources between the two frequency band processors.
2Measurement precision
If PPS counters of master and slave GNSS reception circuits are synchronized by resetting the slave counter at the master's PPS output, then both PPS counters are synchronized, but the timing of baseband signal extraction remains unsynchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the master GNSS reception circuit generate the synchronization signal in advance, before the slave circuit needs to extract its baseband signal. This synchronization signal is transmitted to the slave circuit ahead of time, allowing the slave circuit to pre-align its baseband signal extraction timing with the master circuit, eliminating processing timing offsets that would otherwise occur after PPS counter synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning device including a first integrated circuit and a second integrated circuit is provided. The first integrated circuit includes a first reception unit configured to convert a first satellite signal into a first intermediate frequency signal, and a first conversion unit configured to convert the first intermediate frequency signal into a first baseband signal. The second integrated circuit includes a second reception unit configured to convert a second satellite signal into a second intermediate frequency signal, and a second conversion unit configured to convert the second intermediate frequency signal into a second baseband signal. The first integrated circuit is configured to transmit, to the second integrated circuit, a synchronization signal for synchronizing a first timing signal for controlling the first conversion unit with a second timing signal for controlling the second conversion unit of the second integrated circuit.