GPS Augmentation Using Stationary Reference Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Atmospheric inconsistencies affect the accuracy of GPS signals, leading to positioning errors in GPS receivers, and existing methods lack effective augmentation for improving position accuracy, especially in applications where precise location data is critical.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising stationary GPS devices and communication devices along delivery routes that receive satellite signals, calculate error corrections based on known locations, and transmit these corrections to GPS-enabled vehicles to enhance their navigation systems, thereby improving GPS calculation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers use standard satellite signals for position calculation, then the system is simple and widely applicable, but atmospheric inconsistencies cause positioning errors and reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ground-based reference stations as intermediary components that receive GPS signals, calculate errors relative to their known precise locations, and generate correction data. These reference stations act as mediators between the satellite signals and mobile GPS receivers, providing error correction without requiring complex modifications to the receivers themselves. The correction data is transmitted to receivers through communication networks, enabling improved accuracy while maintaining receiver simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If ground-based reference stations are deployed to provide error corrections, then position accuracy improves, but the quantity of infrastructure required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the GPS augmentation system into multiple geographically distributed reference stations, each serving a local area. Rather than requiring a single comprehensive system, the solution segments the coverage area into zones, with each reference station providing corrections for its surrounding region. This segmentation allows the system to achieve wide-area coverage through multiple smaller, manageable units, reducing the burden on any single station while collectively improving accuracy across the entire service area.
3Measurement precision
If error corrections are transmitted continuously to all GPS-enabled devices, then navigation accuracy is consistently improved, but communication bandwidth and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of error correction data rather than continuous streaming. Ground-based reference stations calculate correction data at predetermined time intervals and transmit these corrections to GPS receivers during these periodic updates. This approach maintains navigation accuracy by providing regular correction updates while significantly reducing communication bandwidth requirements and energy consumption compared to continuous transmission. Receivers can then apply these periodic corrections to their position calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for providing improved augmentation for GPS calculations. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve using a plurality of GPS devices associated with stationary objects associated with a common carrier's delivery network and the common carrier's delivery fleet to calculate error corrections and to communicate these error corrections to a number of GPS enable devices to be used by these devices to augment GPS calculations to correct errors associated with GPS signals. Further, various embodiments of the invention involve collecting GPS data for a plurality of delivery routes traveled by the common carrier's delivery fleet. In particular embodiments, this collected data may be used to provide more accurate address information for locations along these delivery routes and more accurate renderings of various landscapes along these delivery routes.