Roving Reference Devices for Non-GPS Differential Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation and timing systems, particularly GPS, face challenges in providing accurate positioning indoors and in urban canyons due to signal attenuation and the need for dedicated reference stations, which are costly and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A differential correction system that leverages roving receivers enabled for non-GPS secondary positioning navigation and timing (PN&T) signals, using roving reference devices to generate and transmit differential correction information, allowing local receiving devices to improve their location estimates even in attenuated environments without relying on fixed reference stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated reference stations are deployed for GPS positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mobile devices to perform dual functions: acting as both receiving devices for positioning and as roving reference devices for generating correction data. This eliminates the need for dedicated reference stations by making ordinary mobile devices serve the reference station function, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through differential correction
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows mobile devices to self-organize into positioning networks where roving reference devices are selected from among the mobile devices themselves. The system serves its own reference station needs without external infrastructure, with participating devices automatically providing correction data to improve the positioning accuracy of other devices in the network
2Area of stationary object
If GPS signals are used for positioning, then global coverage is achieved, but signal attenuation in indoor and urban environments reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces roving reference devices as intermediaries that receive GPS signals in open environments and transmit correction data to receiving devices in attenuated environments. These reference devices act as mediators, carrying positioning correction information from areas with good signal reception to areas with poor signal reception, enabling reliable positioning indoors and in urban canyons
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where roving reference devices continuously monitor GPS signal quality and generate correction data based on observed errors. This correction data is fed back to receiving devices to compensate for signal attenuation effects, improving positioning reliability in challenging environments while maintaining global coverage capability
Data Source
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AI summary
System, methods, and devices for a self-sustaining differential corrections network that employs roving reference devices (RRDs) as reference stations for improving positioning, navigation, and timing (PN&T) solutions for other enabled local roving and/or stationary receiving devices (RDs) are disclosed herein. The disclosed differential correction system enhancement leverages RRDs enabled for a non-global positioning system (non-GPS), secondary PN&T signal to characterize local errors. These local errors are then used by local RDs in combination with a signal to calculate an improved PN&T estimate for the RDs.