Pseudolite Constellation for Jamming-Resistant Absolute Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional GNSS navigational systems are susceptible to jamming and interference, leading to unreliable navigation, especially in environments like military battlefields where satellite signals are disrupted, and existing solutions struggle to provide accurate absolute position navigation for extended periods.

Innovation Solution

A pseudolite constellation is configured to determine and broadcast absolute navigation data using a network of pseudolites with known positions, allowing self-navigation and extended coverage areas without relying on satellite signals, utilizing atomic clocks and altimeters for precise timing and altitude determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional GNSS systems are used for navigation, then positioning capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates when satellite signals are jammed or interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoidjamming and interference susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pseudolites as intermediary devices that relay positioning information between satellites and receivers. These pseudolites receive satellite signals, determine their own positions, and broadcast pseudorange data to receivers, creating an intermediate layer that protects against direct satellite signal jamming while maintaining navigation functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates copies of satellite positioning functionality through ground-based pseudolites. Each pseudolite generates synthetic satellite-like signals containing pseudorange data that mirrors the information structure of genuine satellite signals, allowing receivers to operate normally using these replicated positioning data streams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If pseudolites are deployed to provide navigation in jammed environments, then navigation reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation reliability in denied environmentsVSAvoidpseudolite constellation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs pseudolites to perform multiple functions: receiving satellite signals, determining their own positions, generating pseudorange data, and broadcasting navigation signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices and simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added capability of operating in denied environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines satellite-based positioning with ground-based pseudolite positioning into a unified navigation system. Receivers integrate data from both satellite signals and pseudolite broadcasts, merging two positioning methodologies into a single coherent system that leverages the strengths of both approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If pseudolites broadcast positioning data without absolute position determination, then coverage area expands, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation coverage areaVSAvoidposition determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent requires pseudolites to pre-determine their absolute positions using satellite signals before entering denied environments. This preliminary positioning action establishes a known reference framework that enables subsequent relative position calculations to maintain precision even when satellite signals are unavailable during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct satellite-to-receiver signal paths with a pseudolite-mediated transmission system. Pseudolites act as local signal sources that broadcast positioning data over shorter distances, substituting the long-range satellite transmission mechanism with a distributed ground-based network that achieves both extended coverage and maintained precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9903954B1Systems and methods for absolute position navigation using pseudolites

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A pseudolite device for providing navigation data, while denied or having limited access to satellite navigation signals for instance, may include a receiver for receiving, from each of a plurality of pseudolites, respective navigation data including an indication of an absolute position of a respective pseudolite and a time instance at which the navigation data is transmitted by the respective pseudolite. The pseudolite device may include a processor configured to determine an absolute position of the pseudolite device according to the navigation data received from each of the plurality of pseudolites, and a transmitter for broadcasting positioning data and transmission time data. The positioning data can include an indication of the determined absolute position of the pseudolite device and the transmission time data includes an indication of a time instance at which the positioning data is transmitted by the transmitter.