LEO Satellite Navigation Augmentation for Rapid Convergence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite navigation systems, such as GNSS, struggle to provide high-precision positioning in a timely manner due to limitations in convergence speed and availability, especially with medium- and high-orbit satellite configurations, and ground-based systems face challenges in coverage and communication link limitations.
Innovation Solution
A navigation augmentation method and system utilizing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to broadcast direct signals and augmentation information, including precise orbits and clock biases, to accelerate high-precision positioning, speed measurement, and timing, independent of communication links, with a constellation of LEO satellites distributed across multiple orbital planes and a ground operation and control system for data processing and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If medium- and high-orbit satellite augmentation systems are used, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but convergence time remains long (at least 6 minutes) due to limited geometric configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces LEO satellites with orbital periods of 90-120 minutes, which rapidly change their geometric configuration relative to ground receivers. This dynamic orbital characteristic enables the spatial geometry to evolve quickly, allowing ambiguity resolution and convergence to be achieved within minutes rather than hours, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and convergence time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orbital parameter from medium/high orbit to low Earth orbit (LEO), fundamentally altering the satellite's motion characteristics. This parameter change results in faster satellite movement across the sky, creating more significant geometric configuration changes in short time intervals, which accelerates the convergence process while maintaining high positioning accuracy
2Loss of time
If ground-based augmentation systems are used, then rapid convergence of high-precision positioning can be achieved, but coverage and availability are limited by ground station layout and communication links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LEO satellites as intermediaries to relay precise positioning data from ground control stations to users globally. This satellite-mediated approach overcomes the limitation of ground-based systems where users must be within communication range of ground stations, thereby extending service availability to global coverage while maintaining rapid convergence capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a ground-based two-dimensional network to a space-based three-dimensional satellite constellation. This dimensional change enables service coverage over oceans, deserts, and remote areas where ground stations cannot be deployed, significantly improving service availability and reliability without sacrificing convergence speed
3Productivity
If LEO satellites are used for navigation augmentation, then convergence speed and service availability are improved, but system complexity increases compared to traditional GNSS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs LEO satellites to perform multiple functions: they serve as navigation signal sources, carry precise orbit and clock bias data, and provide geometric configuration changes for rapid convergence. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate ground infrastructure and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the advanced capabilities provided
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a navigation augmentation method and system, the method includes: broadcasting, by satellites of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, navigation direct signals and navigation augmentation information; performing, by a user receiver, precise positioning, speed measurement and timing according to the navigation direct signals of navigation satellites, the navigation direct signals of the LEO satellites and the navigation augmentation information broadcasted by the LEO satellites.