Satellite Receiver Wrong Synchronization Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting wrong synchronization of a receiver with a satellite during the acquisition phase of navigation signals are inefficient, often requiring time-consuming ephemeris data collection and leading to potential continuous service disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the generation of test signals with specific spreading codes to determine energy correlations, allowing for quick detection of wrong synchronization by calculating a wrong synchronization indicator based on energy differences between these correlations, enabling rapid identification and correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the receiver uses conventional methods to detect wrong synchronization by collecting ephemeris data, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the time required for detection increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrong synchronization detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential detection function from the complex ephemeris data collection process. By using a simplified detection mechanism that operates during the acquisition phase without requiring full ephemeris data, the patent removes the time-consuming element while retaining the core detection capability. The method extracts only the necessary correlation information to identify wrong synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs wrong synchronization detection during the acquisition phase, before the tracking phase begins. By conducting the detection preliminarily using the correlation peak information already obtained during acquisition, the patent avoids the need for additional ephemeris data collection that would occur after satellite visibility changes, thereby reducing overall detection time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the receiver performs thorough synchronization verification using ephemeris data, then the reliability of position determination is improved, but the continuous service capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination reliabilityVSAvoidcontinuous service capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies partial verification by using a simplified detection criterion based on correlation peak analysis during the acquisition phase. Instead of requiring complete ephemeris data validation, the method performs a sufficient but not excessive check that is fast enough to maintain continuous service while still providing adequate reliability assurance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

By performing the synchronization verification during the acquisition phase before tracking begins, the invention ensures that wrong synchronization is detected early. This preliminary action prevents unreliable position calculations from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining both reliability and continuous service capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the receiver uses simplified detection methods without ephemeris data, then the detection speed is improved, but the detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidwrong synchronization detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical process of collecting and processing ephemeris data with a more efficient signal processing approach. By substituting the data-intensive ephemeris verification with a correlation-based detection method that uses already-acquired signal information, the patent achieves both high speed and high accuracy simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses the correlation peak information as an intermediary between the received signal and the synchronization status determination. This intermediary provides a reliable basis for detection that is both fast to obtain (during acquisition) and accurate enough to reliably identify wrong synchronization without requiring additional ephemeris data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10591611B2Method for determining a wrong synchronization of a receiver with a satellite, associated receiver and computer program product

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 THALES SA

AI summary

A method for determining a wrong synchronization of a receiver with a satellite, associated receiver and computer program product, is implemented after the acquisition phase and includes the following steps:generating first and second test signals;for each correlation interval, determining a first prompt correlator corresponding to the correlation value between the received signal and the first test signal, and a second prompt correlator corresponding to the correlation value between the received signal and the second test signal;determining first and second energy values corresponding to the energy of the first and second correlators, respectively;determining a wrong synchronization indicator based on the difference between the first and second energy values; anddetecting a wrong synchronization based on this indicator.