Multi-Constellation GNSS Receiver for Aircraft Navigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft navigation systems rely on inertial reference units (IRU) and inertial navigation systems (INS), which are inefficient in terms of Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWAP-C) considerations.

Innovation Solution

A multiple Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellation tracking system that includes a receiver with a RF front end, core engine, and navigation engine, capable of processing satellite signals from multiple constellations and external sensor data to determine a Position, Velocity, and Time (PVT) navigation solution, eliminating the need for IRU and INS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If inertial reference units (IRU) and inertial navigation systems (INS) are implemented, then navigation solution reliability is improved, but Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWAP-C) increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation solution reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical inertial navigation systems with an electronic/software-based multi-constellation GNSS processing system. The core engine executes algorithms that process satellite signals from multiple constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) to compute navigation solutions, eliminating the need for physical inertial sensors and reducing system weight while maintaining reliability through computational redundancy and data fusion techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If inertial reference units (IRU) and inertial navigation systems (INS) are implemented, then navigation solution reliability is improved, but Power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation solution reliabilityVSAvoidPower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes power-intensive mechanical inertial systems with a computationally efficient electronic processing architecture. The core engine uses optimized algorithms for multi-constellation signal processing that consume less power than inertial sensors, achieving comparable or superior reliability through software-based navigation solution computation and external sensor fusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The core engine performs multiple functions including signal processing, navigation solution computation, and integration with external sensors within a single integrated unit, reducing overall system power consumption compared to separate dedicated inertial systems while maintaining navigation solution reliability through versatile processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If single GNSS constellation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but navigation solution integrity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidnavigation solution integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges satellite signal data from multiple independent GNSS constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) into a unified navigation solution through the core engine. This combination increases the number of available satellites for positioning, improving solution integrity and reliability while managing complexity through integrated processing algorithms that handle multi-constellation data fusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If inertial reference units (IRU) and inertial navigation systems (INS) are implemented, then navigation solution accuracy is improved, but Cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation solution accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive mechanical inertial navigation systems with a cost-effective electronic multi-constellation GNSS processing system. The core engine computes accurate navigation solutions using satellite signals and external sensor data, achieving comparable accuracy without the high manufacturing and maintenance costs associated with inertial sensors while reducing overall system cost through software-based processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9784847B1Multiple GNSS constellation tracking for a blended navigation solution

Publication Date: 2017.10.10 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

The present invention is a method for dynamically determining a blended navigation solution for a mobile platform (ex.—aircraft) via a receiver implemented on-board the platform. In the method disclosed herein, the receiver concurrently utilizes data from satellite signals obtained from a plurality of independent satellite constellations in calculating its (the receiver's) navigation solution (ex.—Position, Velocity, Time (PVT) solution), thereby overcoming weaknesses inherent in currently available systems and methods, which rely on only a single satellite constellation.