Software-Defined GPS Receiver Using SCA Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS receivers are hardware-oriented, making them incompatible with next-generation communications technology and requiring costly upgrades or replacements, and existing software-defined GPS receivers lack scalability, portability, and compatibility due to individualized software architectures, hindering network communication between different systems.
Innovation Solution
A software-defined GPS receiver with a down converter circuit and analog-to-digital converter, utilizing a general-purpose processor with an object-oriented operating environment architecture compliant with the Software Communications Architecture (SCA), enabling reconfiguration, scalability, and compatibility with various hardware platforms, and allowing networked sharing of navigation information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-oriented GPS receivers use customized processing hardware such as ASICs, then signal processing and analyzing functions can be performed reliably, but the receivers become incompatible with next generation communications technology and require costly upgrading or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-oriented signal processing (ASICs) with software-defined processing on general-purpose processors. This substitution allows the system to maintain reliable signal processing through software algorithms while gaining adaptability to communicate with next generation communications technology through software updates rather than hardware replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability by allowing the GPS receiver to be reconfigured with new software to accommodate changes in GPS satellite signal standards or communications protocols. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to evolving technology standards without physical hardware changes, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software-defined GPS receivers use individualized software architectures, then specific functionality can be implemented, but scalability, portability, and compatibility with other hardware platforms are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal software architecture based on object-oriented methodology that can run on multiple hardware platforms. This universal design allows the same software to provide GPS functionality across different devices and networks, achieving scalability and portability while maintaining the adaptability to implement specific functionalities through modular software components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the software architecture into modular, object-oriented components that can be independently developed, deployed, and configured. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by organizing functionality into manageable units while maintaining the ability to implement diverse GPS functionalities through different software module configurations.
3Reliability
If hardware-oriented GPS receivers are used in harsh environments such as military applications, then reliable component operation can be achieved, but an extensive support system is required to maintain operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based signal processing with software-defined processing, which reduces the number of physical components requiring maintenance in harsh environments. This substitution maintains reliability through software robustness while reducing support system complexity by eliminating many hardware components that would otherwise require extensive maintenance support.
Data Source
AI summary
A software-defined GPS receiver includes a hardware-oriented front end for down converting and digitizing the signals received from GPS satellites. The GPS signal processing functions, such as acquisition/tracking and navigation computing, can be performed by software running on the receiver central processing unit (CPU), rather than by firmware in a custom hardware device such as an ASIC. The signal processing capabilities of the receiver can therefore be readily reconfigured (e.g., upgraded) to accommodate changes in the satellite signal transmissions. Moreover, by utilizing an operating environment architecture and application programs that are compliant with the Software Communications Architecture (SCA) specification, a distributed positioning system of scalable, portable, and compatible SCA-compliant software-defined GPS receivers can be realized.