UTC Date Determination for Satellite Positioning Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ambiguity in determining the correct Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) date in satellite-based positioning and date-stamping systems, such as GPS, Galileo, and Beidou, due to the 1023-week ambiguity in GPS time, requires manual initialization, which is inefficient and error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically determine the UTC date by processing radiofrequency signals from at least two different satellite-based positioning and date-stamping systems, such as GPS and Galileo, to deduce time data, calculate a compatible UTC date, and provide it to user systems, while also converting GNSS time into UTC time with second-level precision and comparing it with auxiliary UTC time for alert generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If satellite-based positioning systems (GPS, Galileo, Beidou) are used to provide time information, then a time source is available onboard the aircraft, but there exists an ambiguity of 1023 weeks per date for the GPS system requiring manual initialization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time determination problem by separating the automatic processing of time data from the ambiguous date determination. The system automatically processes time data from multiple satellite systems but requires manual input only for the initial date selection, thereby automating the resolvable aspects while isolating the ambiguous aspect for user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that processes time data from multiple satellite positioning systems (GPS, Galileo, Beidou) and presents compatible date options to the user. This intermediary automatically filters and presents only those dates that are consistent with time data from at least two different satellite systems, reducing the manual initialization burden.
2Reliability
If manual initialization is performed to identify the correct UTC date, then the UTC date ambiguity is resolved, but the process is inefficient and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary automatic processing of time data from multiple satellite systems before presenting date options to the user. By pre-filtering and validating time data from at least two different satellite positioning systems, the system prepares compatible date candidates in advance, reducing the user's workload and minimizing errors during initialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system presents compatible UTC date options to the user based on processed time data, and the user's selection feeds back into the system to confirm the correct date. This feedback loop ensures accuracy while minimizing manual intervention, as the system continuously validates the selected date against the processed time data from multiple satellite systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprising a reception unit for automatically receiving two radiofrequency signals originating from different satellite-based positioning and date-stamping systems, a data processing unit for automatically processing each of the radiofrequency signals so as to deduce time data therefrom, each time datum comprising at least one number of weeks, a calculation unit for automatically calculating a UTC date which is compatible with these time data, and a data transmission unit for automatically providing this UTC date to at least one user system.