Hybrid GPS and TPS Navigation System for Signal Denial
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS navigation systems face reliability issues in thick foliage, rough terrain, and urban areas due to signal penetration problems, long time-to-first-fix, and susceptibility to multipath effects, jamming, and spoofing signals.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid navigation system combining GPS with a Theater Positioning System (TPS) that uses a network of transmitters locked to a common timing reference, employing spread-spectrum RF signals for robust and reliable positioning, and integrating with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for fault-tolerant operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If GPS is used for navigation, then global coverage and ease of operation are improved, but reliability deteriorates in thick foliage, rough terrain, and urban areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS with a terrestrial RF-based positioning system (TPS) to create a hybrid navigation system. The GPS receiver provides satellite-based positioning while the TPS receiver provides terrestrial transmitter-based positioning. This merging allows the system to maintain reliability in GPS-denied environments (thick foliage, rough terrain, urban areas) while preserving GPS's global coverage and ease of operation through seamless switching between systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by switching between different positioning methods based on environmental conditions. When GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable, the system transitions to using TPS terrestrial transmitters, which operate on different physical principles (RF ground wave propagation vs. satellite radio waves). This parameter change enables reliable navigation in challenging environments while maintaining global coverage capability when GPS is available.
2Area of stationary object
If GPS is used for navigation, then global coverage is improved, but time-to-first-fix deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The TPS terrestrial transmitters are pre-deployed throughout the operational area before the user arrives. This preliminary action ensures that positioning infrastructure is already in place, eliminating the time required for satellite signal acquisition and system initialization that GPS requires. Users can immediately receive positioning signals from the pre-positioned TPS transmitters, significantly reducing time-to-first-fix while maintaining global coverage capability.
3Ease of operation
If GPS is used for navigation, then ease of operation is improved, but susceptibility to multipath effects, jamming, and spoofing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The TPS terrestrial transmitters serve as an intermediary positioning system that provides alternative signals when GPS is compromised. These transmitters use ground wave propagation that is resistant to multipath effects, jamming, and spoofing. The system can switch between GPS and TPS signals, using the intermediary TPS system to maintain reliable navigation when GPS is vulnerable to harmful factors, while preserving GPS's ease of operation when signals are clean.
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
The system provides reliable and quick navigation fixes in challenging environments, resistant to multipath, jamming, and spoofing, with the ability to switch between GPS and TPS for continuous positioning and validate GPS signals for accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
employing spread-spectrum RF signals for robust and reliable positioning
Implementation Method 2
locking the plurality of transmitters to a common timing reference
Implementation Method 3
integrating with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for fault-tolerant operation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are described for a navigation system. A method includes providing a global positioning system fix having a plurality of tracking parameters; providing a theater positioning system fix; monitoring the plurality of tracking parameters for predetermined conditions; and, when the predetermined conditions are met, sending a notifying signal and switching to the theater positioning system fix as a primary fix. An apparatus includes a system controller; a global positioning system receiver coupled to the system controller; a radio frequency locating receiver coupled to the system controller; and an operator interface coupled to the system controller.