Satellite Receiver Power Control via Positioning Error Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite radiowave receiving devices face challenges in maintaining accurate positioning operations due to changes in satellite positions, leading to reduced accuracy when the number of received satellites approaches the minimum required for positioning, as determination of re-acquiring operations is based solely on the number of satellites rather than positioning accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A satellite radiowave receiving device with a processor that stops acquiring radiowaves from new satellites under specific conditions and resumes the operation if the positioning accuracy falls below a predetermined standard, using a combination of signal-to-noise ratio and error range calculations to determine the necessity for re-acquisition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the acquiring operation is stopped when the number of positioning satellites reaches a predetermined maximum, then power consumption is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates when satellite distribution changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors positioning accuracy by calculating the error range based on received radiowaves and satellite positions. When the error range exceeds a predetermined threshold, the system automatically resumes the acquiring operation. This feedback mechanism ensures positioning accuracy is maintained while avoiding unnecessary acquiring operations when accuracy is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the acquiring operation state based on real-time positioning accuracy evaluation. Instead of using a fixed threshold based solely on satellite count, the system adapts the acquiring/resuming decision based on the calculated error range, allowing flexible response to changing satellite distributions and maintaining accuracy under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the acquiring operation continues continuously, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic evaluation of positioning accuracy by calculating the error range at regular intervals during the stop period. This periodic check allows the system to maintain accuracy by resuming acquiring operations only when necessary, rather than continuing continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring accuracy is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously determines when to resume acquiring operations by self-evaluating its positioning accuracy through error range calculation. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous external control or manual intervention, allowing the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining accuracy through intelligent, autonomous decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the acquiring operation is stopped based solely on the number of satellites, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning reliability deteriorates when satellite distribution changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidpositioning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the control parameter from a simple satellite count threshold to a calculated error range threshold. This parameter change enables more reliable positioning by considering the actual geometric distribution and signal quality of satellites, not just their number. The error range calculation incorporates multiple factors including satellite positions and signal characteristics, providing a more comprehensive reliability metric.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the error range using received radiowaves and satellite position data before making the decision to stop or resume acquiring operations. This preliminary evaluation ensures that the system has accurate information about current positioning quality, allowing reliable decisions to be made about whether to maintain the stopped state or resume acquiring based on actual accuracy needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3460526B1Satellite radiowave receiving device, electronic timepiece, method for controlling positioning operations, and program
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
  • EP3460526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3460526B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3460526B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A satellite radiowave receiving device (50) includes a receiver (51) and a processor (52). The receiver acquires and receives radiowaves from a positioning satellite. The processor performs a positioning operation based on the radiowaves received by the receiver to obtain a current position of the satellite radiowave receiving device. The processor causes the receiver to stop an acquiring operation of radiowaves from a new positioning satellite under a predetermined condition while radiowaves are being acquired from a required number of positioning satellite for the positioning operation. If an error range of the obtained current position no longer satisfies a predetermined accuracy standard during a stop of the acquiring operation, the processor causes the receiver to resume the acquiring operation.