CN101313228A - Spot locator - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and method is provided for enhancing the coverage and capabilities of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) using signal emitters. The signal emitters generate and emit GNSS Radio Frequency (RF) signals that may possess varying sets of information. In some situations, the information may include relative pseudo-random code phases and Doppler frequencies that correspond to the known location of the signal emitter or other locations. In some situations, the GNSS satellite constellation time, and the GNSS satellites that may be visible at a known location were the authentic GNSS signals not obscured or at another location.

Description

Spot locator

Related application data

It is the right of priority of 60/714860 U.S. Patent application that the application requires in the sequence number that on September 8th, 2005 submitted to, and its content is specially involved to be hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical field

Each side relate generally to GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) of the present invention.More specifically, the present invention relates to increase the coverage of satellite system.

Background technology

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the term that is generally used for describing the radio navigation satellite system of earth orbital operation and transmitted reference signal, and described reference signal makes the radio navigation receivers of certain type can determine that it goes up or at the earth's surface near the position of earth surface.For example, GPS (GPS) is by the current GNSS that is using of the U.S..Except gps system, also there is current execution or will carries out the similar GNSS of other of similar functions system in future.These systems comprise the Galileo system of European Union, the GLONASS system of the Russian Federation and the accurate zenith satellite system (QZSS) of Japan.

GNSS emission radio frequency (RF) signal, when this signal is received and handles, can give the individual for the purposes of diverting oneself, in order in " interests " activity, use to give commercial entity, for the navigation of armament systems is given government and military service and in order to help the direct emergency personnel to provide location and navigation Service to public security organizations.In an example, many modern vehicle manufacturer comprises the GPS navigation system with unfamiliar regional guidance driver in commerial vehicle.Similarly, thus the equipment of GPS type also has been applicable to the cellular telephony rescuer can locate missing or wrecked individual under urgent situation.

GNSS satellite system typical case is in middle Earth's orbit (high near 10,900 nautical miles) and geostationary orbit (high near 19,300 nautical miles) operation.Because the height of these satellite systems, they are very weak when signal arrives earth surface.In order to design miniature antenna, typically in L-band (arriving 2GHz), select the frequency of GNSS satellites transmits near 1GHz with high-gain.The shortcoming that this frequency is selected is to pass through line of sight operation usually in the system that this frequency is moved.Just, the L-band frequency meter reveal intensive building materials or signal penetrability greatly poor.Therefore, in the many common point such as large-scale office building, garage parking, subway or the like, the GNSS satellite-signal can not obtain and the GNSS receiver can not correctly be worked.This may be serious problem, and particularly under the situation of public safety operations, the GNSS receiver can be used to the position of direct emergency respondent to distress personnel.If there is not the covering of enhancing, the potential application of these global navigational satellite technology may be subjected to seriously limiting.

Summary of the invention

Each side of the present invention solves above-mentioned one or more problems, thereby provides the enhancing of GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) to cover.At least one aspect of the present invention can not get the GNSS signal will by the position be provided on the little geographic area GNSS transmitter apparatus of broadcasting GNSS signal.This makes the GNSS receiver more operate and provide locating information in the multizone.Aspect some, the GNSS antenna is collected the GNSS signal and is transmitted this signal to the GNSS transmitter apparatus by signal distribution network of the present invention.Signal distribution network can or can not comprise additional signals processing (for example, signal amplifier and/or repeater).In an example, this network can comprise at least one coax network.Described broadcast singal can be such, these broadcast singals can have corresponding to the relevant chip phase of the known location of signal transmitter antenna and Doppler frequency, accurate GNSS satellite constellation time, with navigation data information, if and can be corresponding to real not crested of GNSS signal, will be in the tabulation of the visible GNSS satellite of known location.

Set forth these and other aspects of the present invention about accompanying drawing and associated description.

Description of drawings

Will understand the following detailed description of above general introduction of the present invention and preferred embodiment when reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings more, they are comprised by the mode of example, rather than by the claimed mode of the present invention of restriction, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates the traditional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that can support one or more aspects of the present invention.

Fig. 2 A illustrates the synchronous GNSS emitter system environment according to an illustrative examples of the present invention.

Fig. 2 B illustrates the autonomous GNSS emitter system environment according to another illustrative examples of the present invention.

Fig. 2 C illustrates the GNSS emitter system environment according to another illustrative examples of the present invention.

Fig. 3 A and 3B illustrate the GNSS transmitter of the illustrative examples according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates illustrative examples according to the present invention and is used to provide constellation information to collect and distributor gear to the constellation information of multi-transmitter system.

Fig. 5 illustrates wherein constellation information collection and distributor gear is an alternative embodiment of the invention of computer network.

Fig. 6 illustrates the multi-transmitter system according to illustrative examples of the present invention, and wherein constellation information collection and distributor gear are the analog radio-frequency signal distribution networks.

Fig. 7 illustrates the independent transmitter unit according to an illustrative examples of the present invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates the independent transmitter unit of another illustrative examples according to the present invention.

Embodiment

Now will hereinafter the present invention be described with reference to the drawings more fully, there is shown various aspects of the present invention.But the present invention can be with different form enforcement and the embodiment that should not be regarded as being limited to set forth here.But these embodiment will be provided so that this instructions openly will be comprehensive and complete for the person of ordinary skill of the art, and will cover scope of the present invention all sidedly.Described unit and accompanying drawing are necessarily drawn in proportion, have focused on the contrary clearly on the example principle of the present invention.

Open for the present invention, " signal of reconstruct " can comprise that utilization revises a little to component of signal, replaces one or more component of signals, and the reconstruct of replacing the signal of all component of signals fully.Reconstruction signal can be called as the modification characteristics of signals.And, should be noted that the various connections of setting forth in the following description between the unit.Should be noted that unless special provision, these connect, and can be direct or indirect connection and this instructions usually limit being not intended aspect this.

Fig. 1 illustrates the traditional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 10 that can support the one or more aspects of the present invention.The GNSS system is based on the triangulation system in space, and it is made up of a plurality of radio-navigation-satellites 12 and Ground Control part 18.Satellite 12 is by the continuous transmission support navigation of radio navigation signal 16 and the operation of location receiver 14, and this navigation and location receiver for example are the radio receivers with time correlation device processor.GNSS receiver 14 by receive these radio signals from satellite and operate and, service time relevant treatment, measuring-signal 16 propagates into the time that receiver location spends from GNSS satellite 12.By this travel-time be multiply by the light velocity, receiver 14 can be determined to the distance of described satellite and therefore determine its position by triangulation.

When 12 earth orbital operations of GNSS satellite, they are according to GNSS system time transmitting radio navigation signal 16 synchronously.Signal 16 has certain spread spectrum characteristic, and this specific character allows receiver 14 measuring-signals to arrive the time of receiver location.Except above-mentioned spread spectrum characteristic, signal 16 also comprises the digital data stream that is called as navigation data, and this navigation data comprises the parameter of describing GNSS constellation track pattern and GNSS system time.Utilize this orbit parameter and system time, GNSS receiver 14 can calculate the position of satellite 12 in the space at spread-spectrum signal 16 when satellite 12 is broadcasted.Satellite position that utilization is known and system time, when signal 16 was broadcasted, receiver 14 can use determined the travel-time of signal 16 time of arrival of this information and signal.By multiply by the light velocity and some atmospheric propagation effect being regulated, receiver 14 can be determined to the distance of satellite 12.In case finish this processing for three or more satellites 12, receiver 14 just can use triangulation technique to calculate it and go up at the earth's surface or near the position of earth surface.

The spread-spectrum signal that GNSS satellite 12 uses can produce by carrier signal being multiply by the binary code that is called as " chip ", and this binary code can have predetermined frequency and length, and can also have unique mathematical characteristic.If these chips can be such the sign indicating number of sign indicating number in the family be time correlation with another yard in the gang, the result will be zero correlation.And, as long as sign indicating number is shifted more than+/-one chip, also can cause the result of zero correlation with the chip of the shifted version time correlation of same code.When the copy of sign indicating number and same code is relevant and in the accurate moment that two copies are aligned, the time correlation device output in the GNSS receiver 14 can only produce non zero results, i.e. correlation peak.The time that this method allows GNSS receiver 14 to measure receiving satellite signal 16.Owing to can repeat described sign indicating number continuously in satellite-signal 16, receiver 14 is just at the code phase of measuring-signal 16 in the time of therefore can saying the position when this signal arrival receiver.

As above describe, the GNSS receiver can be by the search received signal to search specific satellite chip and to measure and operate in the phase place of these yards of the position of receiver.Because the GNSS constellation can comprise the satellite 12 of many continuous earth orbital operations, the GNSS receiver may for which GNSS satellite 12 overhead and it should search for which satellite chip and have limited priori.In fact this knowledge be stored in most GNSS receivers 14 and be called as almanac.Almanac information can be stored in advance or the use of derivation and/or downstream download and this almanac can be depended on operator scheme (for example synchronous or autonomous).For example, this almanac information can be downloaded by RF or IR transmission, LAN or the Internet.Utilize the ABC of system time, this can realize by for example real-time clock (RTC), about the hypothesis of receiver approximate location (this can or can be not based on the Last Known Location of receiver) and almanac information, the corresponding chip that the GNSS receiver 14 that has just the started tabulation that can calculate satellite 12 should be searched in received signal 16 with it.Although be kept at the position that almanac in the receiver 14 and out of true system time often are not enough to calculate receiver 14, this information is enough to reduce significantly standard GNSS receiver 14 and finds or catch needed time of satellite code in the described received signal.

The another kind of type GNSS receiver 14 that is called as auxiliary receiver can be caught GNSS satellite-signal 16 and need not keep almanac, last known position and GNSS system time in receiver 14.For auxiliary receiver, this information can by such as but the another kind of communication link that is not limited to wireless cellular network is sent to receiver 14.In these auxiliary systems, the web server computer in the communication network can by with the auxiliary receiver position near other GPS receivers 14 communicate to visit the current information of relevant satellite in the sky.Described web server computer then can the transfer system time and satellite list to described receiver so that it can carry out the more satellite code search of close limit, cause catching faster and improving receiver sensitivity like this.

The GNSS transmitter can be to comprise the different mode operation of autonomous mode and synchronous mode.For example, Fig. 2 A-2C, GNSS transmitter can participate in autonomous operation or synchronous operation.Should be appreciated that the GNSS transmitter can be restricted to at the synchronous mode shown in Fig. 2 A, can be restricted to, perhaps can have with ability in two kinds of pattern operations shown in Fig. 2 C with in the operation of the autonomous mode shown in Fig. 2 B.Comprise that at signal signal can be exported from the GNSS transmitter under the situation of component.The signal of reconstruct can comprise the reconstruct of one or more components.

As shown in Fig. 2 A, the GNSS transmitter can be operated with synchronous mode.The transmission that GNSS transmitter 125 receives from satellite 110a-110c via receiving antenna 120.The signal of the described reception of GNSS emitter reconstructs and use antenna 135 send these reconstruction signals to GNSS receiver 130A (in the position that is stopped by barrier 140).Be described to synchronously about the system shown in Fig. 2 A, this is because the signal that sends from antenna 135 has and timing signal from the signal Synchronization of satellite 110a-110c.GNSS receiver 130A can finally move to another position (the receiver 130B by a dotted line represents) from the position that barrier stops, can be from the mode received signal of satellite 110a-110c not stopped at this position receiver 130B.

If the signal of antenna 135 emission can be synchronized to the GNSS condition that exact position that signal from satellite 110a-110c is not blocked in antenna 135 will exist.Synchronous operation can be so that can not be subjected to blocking position or never be subjected to blocking position to move to blocking position to be transformed into the received signal from satellite 110a-110c from the receiver 130A of GNSS transmitter antenna 135 received signals by moving to from blocking position, and do not have significant interrupt operation.On the contrary, synchronous operation also makes and can be transformed into from GNSS transmitter antenna 135 received signals by never being subjected to blocking position to move to blocking position from the receiver 130A of satellite 110a-110c received signal, and do not have significant interrupt operation.

GNSS transmitter 125 can or can not comprise clock 126 and/or almanac 127 (shown in broken lines with outstanding its optional characteristic).Clock 126 and almanac 127 can be included in the structure of GNSS transmitter 125, can be positioned at the outside of GNSS transmitter 125, perhaps can have the information that it provides by long-range source.For example, almanac 127 can be CD-ROM, flash memory, maybe can provide almanac 127 any other storer to GNSS transmitter 127 (GNSS transmitter 127 is inner or outside).Further, almanac can be provided for GNSS transmitter 125 on network, and this network is including, but not limited to RF network, IR network and cable network.It also can be other network variations.

Barrier 145 also is shown as the replacement or the increase of barrier 140.The position that does not need GNSS transmitter 125 is in the straight line of satellite 110a-110c or GNSS receiver 130A position.

Can have certain specific character corresponding to the original satellites signals characteristic from the signal of GNSS transmitter unit 125, if described signal is not blocked, then this characteristic will be observable in the position of GNSS receiver 130.If these signals are not blocked in the position of GNSS receiver 130, can comprise identical GNSS satellite pseudorandom (PRN) sign indicating number tabulation, relevant pseudo-random code phases, Doppler frequency, navigation data (may be delayed in time) and GNSS system time corresponding to characteristic from the signal of GNSS transmitter unit 125 from original satellites signals.As shown in Fig. 2 A, the GNSS transmitter unit can be collected the characteristic of original satellites signals from being placed on the receiver antenna 120 that is not subjected to the blocking position.Be not subjected to blocking position 130B can be different from the position of GNSS receiver 130 or on the same position of this GNSS receiver.Can receive at antenna 120 then and be relayed to GNSS transmitter unit 125 from the signal of satellite 110a, 110b and 110c and by distribution network.From receiver antenna 120 received signals the time, GNSS transmitter 125 before this signal of reconstruct is used to resend, can extract one or more characteristics of relevant constellation information and modification signal according to the knowledge of transmitter antenna 135 positions from signal.In case signal parameter is modified, the GNSS transmitter can be exported the signal of reconstruct to GNSS receiver 130 by transmitter antenna 135 subsequently.The signal of this reconstruct can comprise one or more components that are modified and/or replace fully.

As shown in fig. 2B, the GNSS transmitter can be operated with autonomous mode, and the GNSS transmitter can be operated independently and not need to be placed on the receiver antenna 120 that is not subjected in the blocking position and do not need to aim at the time and the GNSS satellite time of transmitter.The GNSS transmitter 125 of autonomous operation can or can not comprise aforesaid clock 126 and almanac 127.Clock 126 (can or can not be real-time clock described below) and almanac 127 can be used to produce corresponding to known signal from the visible satellite of given position.Clock 126 and almanac 127 are shown in broken lines to indicate them can or can not use with given transmitter.Its function can be included in the circuit of transmitter 125 or from external transmitter 125 and provide.Use is from the information of almanac 127, the signal generator of transmitter 125 can produce the proper signal that is used for receiver 130 and via antenna system 135 broadcasting they.The signal of this generation can or can be not and signal Synchronization from satellite 110a-110c.

GNSS transmitter 125 can receiving position as input, import it for this and will simulate at the receivable signal in this position.By changing described input position, provide corresponding to a large amount of signals that change the position for receiver 130.This test can test receiver 130 with determine whether it 1) by determining that new correct position ground responds and 2) selectively correctly in response to the position that detects it (for example, definite receiver is in the limited space after determining its position).Use this system, can test receiver 130 and must physically not transport the position of receiver to test.

Further, clock 126 and almanac 127 can by pre-loaded in GNSS transmitter 125 or time that can be afterwards download (including, but not limited to before installing, during installation or after installing).Can carry out described download by using wireless or connecting GNSS transmitter 125 to computer network, the RF signal or the like that receives broadcasting in wired mode.

GNSS transmitter 125 can have enough dirigibilities to switch between autonomy operation and synchronous operation.Alternatively, as operating with two kinds of patterns at GNSS transmitter 125 shown in Fig. 2 C.In this case, GNSS transmitter 125 can use the data (clock and almanac) from described storage and the information of the satellite-signal that receives via the antenna system that do not stopped 120.

Aspect another of synchro system shown in Fig. 2 C, GNSS transmitter 125 can or can not comprise GNSS receiver antenna 120.And, can be for example provide the information of closing overhead satellite (110a-110c) and about the timing of these satellites via computer network.

As will describing following, the feature of above-mentioned GNSS system can be used in one or more aspects of the present invention.Below will be divided into autonomy and synchronous operation.Following feature and structure can be individually or are embodied as various degree together.

Action type

Autonomous operation

With reference to figure 3A, in one embodiment of the invention, GNSS transmitter 200 can just, need not continue to import current constellation information autonomously as the individual unit operation.But in this operator scheme, GNSS transmitter real-time clock 230 may form positioning error gradually and therefore the GNSS transmitter can not be compatible mutually with some assisted GNSS receivers that point-device GNSS time is provided from external source.If system time in the GNSS transmitter and actual GNSS constellation systems time misalignment, the assisted GNSS receiver can remain in maybe can be attempted in nonsynchronous state to catch again according to the timing of real satellite system.For example, the GNSS receiver can be carried out narrow search to the code phase that is different from GNSS transmitter institute transmitter code phase place.Therefore, the assisted GNSS receiver may can not find the GNSS transmitter or capture time may be prolonged significantly forever.

Fig. 3 A illustrates the GNSS transmitter 200 according to a schematic aspect of the present invention.GNSS transmitter 200 comprises baseband processor subsystem, and it comprises nonvolatile memory 210, real-time clock 230, microprocessor 220 and signal processor 290.Microprocessor 220 functions and signal processor 290 functions can comprise a plurality of circuit or be implemented in a processor circuit (such as ASIC, FPGA or the like).GNSS transmitter 200 can also comprise radio-frequency signal generator 240 and reference-frequency oscillator 260.Reference-frequency oscillator 260 can provide major clock to baseband processor subsystem and radio-frequency signal generator 240.Alternatively, can use two or more oscillators as separately frequency source in microprocessor 220, signal processor 290 and the radio-frequency signal generator 240.And GNSS transmitter 200 can comprise and will become the power supply 270 of the required voltage of GNSS transmitter system 200 operations from the obtainable voltage-regulation of local power supply.Under situation, can also use optional backup battery system 280 to guarantee the running that continues from the service disruption of local power supply.

GNSS transmitter 200 can be the transmitter of output received signal of distance more than 100m.Alternatively, GNSS transmitter 200 can also be the enough energy of only radiation so that only near the GNSS receiver of (100m or nearer) the low-power GNSS transmitter low-powered transmitter of received signal accurately.

The information that can be used to calculate the GNSS characteristics of signals relevant with the GNSS transmitter site can comprise the position and the GNSS system time of GNSS system almanac, GNSS transmitter.Described characteristic can comprise the pseudo-random code that comprises phase place and Doppler frequency and may further include the navigation data that is independent of pseudo-random code.

The mechanism of storage almanac and GNSS transmitter site can comprise nonvolatile memory (NVM) 210.Storer in the position of almanac and GNSS transmitter antenna does not comprise under the situation of NVM that if there is power fail, volatile memory can be refreshed.In autonomous operator scheme, the GNSS system almanac can be stored or be associated with GNSS transmitter 200 afterwards in advance.The source of GNSS system time can comprise the real-time clock (RTC) 230 of GNSS transmitter.The mechanism of control GNSS transmitter operation can comprise microprocessor 220, calculates from the mechanism with signal of revising characteristic that antenna 250 is exported to comprise small low-cost digital processing unit 290.Microprocessor 220 functions and signal processor 290 functions can realize in a processor circuit.Alternatively, microprocessor 220 functions and signal processor 290 functions can realize in two or more processor circuits.The mechanism that generation has the signal of characteristic can comprise radio-frequency signal generator 240.The mechanism that broadcasting has the signal of characteristic can comprise antenna system 250.GNSS transmitter unit 200 can be operated providing and an ad-hoc location autonomously, the position that the antenna 250 of GNSS transmitter unit promptly is installed, or by the relevant GNSS signal in another position of operator specified.Do not need the GNSS transmitter time to be accurately aligned to the actual GNSS satellite system time.

With reference to figure 7, the 200 following operations of GNSS transmitter.When the GNSS transmitter was installed, the position of transmitter antenna 620 and current almanac information 610 may be programmed in the nonvolatile memory 210 of baseband processor subsystem.And during installation, the GNSS system time may be programmed in the real-time clock 230 of GNSS transmitter.In case the GNSS transmitter is activated, if can the use location, system time and GNSS satellite almanac information determine that actual GNSS satellite-signal is not blocked in the tabulation that this time and position will visible satellites 620.This satellite list can be used chip generator 640 and the navigation data stream 650 that is used for described each satellite of tabulation with generation in signal processor 290.In case the satellite chip is produced and navigation data is added, phase place and the frequency that just can utilize phase shifter 660 bases to regulate this chip corresponding to the phase place and the Doppler frequency of GNSS system time and GNSS transmitter site.In case utilized suitable navigation data, produced the satellite chip, just can output to GNSS transmitter radio-frequency signal generator 240 with driving I/Q modulator to the chip summation and with suitable form 670 corresponding to the phase place of GNSS system time and transmitter antenna position and Doppler frequency.

It should further be appreciated that for current embodiment, GNSS transmitter 200 can with need have limited compatibility from the GNSS receiver that a GNSS transmitter 200 navigates to next transmitter.In this case, the GNSS receiver can be followed the tracks of the code phase from specific GNSS transmitter.For the GNSS receiver can be transformed into next transmitter from current GNSS transmitter, may need the code phase and the true form phase alignment of next transmitter.Therefore, if a plurality of GNSS transmitters along path that the GNSS receiver must pass through (for example, subway system) distribute, the GNSS transmitter that constitutes this system can be synchronized to the GNSS system time and can navigate to next transmitter or even enter the zone that the GNSS transmitter is positioned according to real GNSS signal from a GNSS transmitter so that guarantee receiver.The degree of aiming at can be that the GNSS receiver can not have unsuitable delay corresponding to changing between from the signal of GNSS satellite from the signal of transmitter flexibly so far.

Synchronous operation

Fig. 3 B is depicted as the GNSS transmitter 201 with the synchronous mode operation.Although be similar to the description of above Fig. 3 A, Fig. 3 B comprises receiving antenna 255 (or other inputs), receives the current satellite signal information relevant with given position by this antenna.GNSS transmitter 201 can not comprise usually NVM210 and clock 230 the two.Alternatively, one or more in these assemblies can be comprised or be had by being electrically connected (directly-for example USB-or long-range-for example on network) and are provided for the function of GNSS transmitter 201.As described with reference to figure 3A, GNSS transmitter 201 can have one or more oscillators 260, optionally reserve battery, be combined to processor on one or more chips and signal generator or the like.

Computer network

In the present embodiment, be not blocked in the GNSS condition that ad-hoc location will exist if a plurality of GNSS transmitter can be synchronized to the GNSS signal, this makes it possible to compatible mutually with the navigation neceiver of auxiliary GNSS receiver and standard.The system that current GNSS constellation information is assigned to a plurality of GNSS transmitters is below described.

Fig. 4 illustrates the GNSS system that illustrative examples according to the present invention is used to collect current constellation information.The mechanism of collecting current constellation information can comprise reference receiver antenna 310 and special receiver 320.Special receiver 320 can comprise the GNSS receiver with the particular satellite system compatible.The example of these satellite systems can comprise GPS, Galileo and GLONASS.Special receiver 320 can be configured to collect and export the required customizing messages 330 of generation signal, and this signal is corresponding to the position (referring to the additional information of the relevant GNSS transmitter unit of Fig. 2) of one or more transmitter unit antennas 250.And existence is used for the mechanism of the distribution of the following current constellation information 340 that will discuss.If can obtain current constellation information by mechanism 340, GNSS transmitter unit 201 can use current constellation information and GNSS transmitter antenna position then, rather than uses the almanac of storage inside and the inner time that produces to calculate and produce to have to need the GNSS of characteristic signal.

Fig. 5 is shown specifically according to illustrative examples constellation information collecting mechanism of the present invention.It is a kind of that to be used to distribute the mechanism of current constellation information 340 can be web server computer 440 and computer based network 450.Computer based network 450 may further include wired or wireless Local Area Network or wide area network (WAN).The example of LAN and WAN can comprise Ethernet and token-ring network.

Further with reference to figure 5, GNSS receiver 320 can be collected from the signal of GNSS constellation by the GNSS receiving antenna 310 in the clear view that is located in the GNSS satellite-signal.Specific constellation information 330 can be collected and export to GNSS receiver 320, such as system time, satellite visibility list, satellite chip phase and Doppler frequency and navigation data.In an example, current constellation information can be sent to GNSS transmitter unit 201 by web server computer 440 and computer network 450.The mode that GNSS system time information can be passed through time host-host protocol (for example, precise time host-host protocol) is transmitted so that keep synchronously in the whole GNSS transmitter system.

Fig. 6 illustrates the special-purpose GNSS receiver according to illustrative examples of the present invention and the combination of GNSS signal distribution network.Special-purpose GNSS receiver 320 can be positioned at described place and be integrated into transmitter unit 201 inside potentially.The distributor gear of current constellation information can comprise radio frequency distribution network 520, and this network is by coax network (as shown in the figure), analog optical fiber network or the analog wireless networks distribution received signal from satellite constellation.In an example, from GNSS receiver 320 generation had the signal processor that the necessary information of GNSS signal of wanting characteristic directly is provided to GNSS transmitter unit 201.Alternatively, this information can also be provided to the signal processor of GNSS transmitter unit 201 by indirect method from GNSS receiver 320.

In case current constellation information 330 has been sent to each GNSS transmitter unit 201, the GNSS transmitter unit just produces the signal with proper signal characteristic in the mode that is similar to above-mentioned autonomous operation embodiment.With reference to figure 8, be not to allow the calculating of characteristics of signals, but the calculating of present embodiment characteristics of signals can be based on the current constellation information 330 that receives from information distribution network 340 based on the almanac of storage inside and the inner time that produces.

The RF network

In the present embodiment, be not blocked in the GNSS condition that ad-hoc location will exist, make it possible to compatible mutually like this with the navigation neceiver of auxiliary GNSS receiver and standard if a plurality of GNSS transmitter can be synchronized to actual GNSS signal.In the present embodiment, this realization overcome as in last embodiment situation for the demand of time host-host protocol.With reference to figure 6, present embodiment comprises the GNSS antenna 310 of collecting the GNSS radiofrequency signal from satellite.Radio frequency GNSS signal is assigned to GNSS receiver 320 by the mode of GNSS signal distribution network 520.If the GNSS signal distribution network realizes that by the mode of coax network it can comprise low noise amplifier 530, loss coaxial cables 540 and GNSS signal distributor 550 so.The further embodiment of this design can realize radio frequency GNSS signal distribution network 520 by analog wireless networks or by the analog optical fiber network.Regardless of the device that distributes the GNSS radiofrequency signal, in case signal has been sent to GNSS receiver 320, specific constellation information 330 can be collected and export to this receiver just, such as system time, satellite visibility list, satellite chip phase and Doppler frequency and navigation data.Can be sent to the microprocessor 220 of GNSS transmitter unit by serial or parallel digital interface 570 from the current constellation information of receiver.

In case current constellation information 330 has been sent to each GNSS transmitter unit 201, the GNSS transmitter unit just can produce the signal with proper signal characteristic in the mode that is similar to above-mentioned autonomous operation embodiment.With reference to figure 8, be not to allow the calculating of characteristics of signals, but the calculating of present embodiment characteristics of signals can be based on the current constellation information 330 that receives from the GNSS receiver 320 that is positioned at GNSS transmitter antenna position based on the almanac of storage inside and the inner time that produces.

In all front embodiment of the present invention, GNSS transmitter unit 201 can comprise that internal backup battery system is (referring to Fig. 3,280), make power supply break down or the incident of interrupting with normal power source 270 in can continue operation, this incident has high possibility in urgent situation.Alternatively, transmitter unit 201 can lack battery supply.

Each side of the present invention including, but not limited to, microprocessor, signal processor and radio-frequency signal generator, the present invention can realize that this realization is including, but not limited to ASIC, FPGA or the like with hardware and/or software.

And the above-mentioned illustrative examples of GNSS transmitter system can make up with other system.Except can using the active satellite signal, the aspect of GNSS transmitter system can comprise simulate signal and from the signal of pseudo satellite, pseudolite.For example, be merely able to from the position of two acquiring satellite signals if the GNSS receiver antenna is located in it, the GNSS transmitter system can use satellite next stop (outpost).This satellite next stop can be oriented to from the 3rd satellite received signal and send these signals to the GNSS receiver antenna.

Although described the present invention with reference to illustrative examples, those of ordinary skill in the art will be understood that can make various changes and equivalent can be used to replace element of the present invention and do not deviate from scope of the present invention.In addition, can make many modifications under the condition that does not deviate from the scope of the invention with adaptive particular case or material according to of the present invention being taught in.Except shown in can use different hardware with can comprise hardware of the present invention, firmware or the software of suggestion realizing.So the intent of the present invention is not limited to specific embodiment disclosed herein, but the present invention includes all embodiment that fall in the appended claims book scope.

Claims (32)

1. one kind is used to provide the method for GNSS signal to the GNSS receiver, and wherein said GNSS receiver receives GNSS signal less than desired amt from the GNSS satellite with lowest signal qualities, said method comprising the steps of:

From the GNSS satellite received signal, wherein the signal that receives from the GNSS receiver antenna comprises constellation information by the GNSS receiver antenna;

Determine the tabulation of satellite according to described constellation information;

Generation is corresponding to the satellite chip of this satellite list;

Revise characteristics of signals; And

Output device has the signal of the characteristics of signals of described modification to arrive described GNSS receiver.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein said characteristics of signals comprises pseudo-random code with phase information and Doppler frequency information and the navigation information that comprises described GNSS satellite, and described pseudo-random code is relevant with the ad-hoc location and the special time of GNSS system with described navigation information.

3. method according to claim 2, wherein said modify steps also comprises:

Revise described phase information;

Revise described Doppler frequency information; With

Temporarily cushion described navigation information.

4. method according to claim 2, wherein said modify steps also comprises:

Receiving position information;

The described characteristics of signals of reconstruct receives described signal to be reflected in described position from described GNSS satellite.

5. method according to claim 1, wherein said characteristics of signals comprises time parameter.

6. method according to claim 2, wherein said modify steps also comprises:

The time of the signal correction connection that calculates and receive and and time of joining of the signal correction of output between delay.

7. method according to claim 6, wherein said modify steps also comprises:

Propagation delay between the receiving antenna of calculating GNSS transmitter and the transmitting antenna of GNSS transmitter.

8. one kind is used to provide the method for GNSS signal to the GNSS receiver, and wherein said GNSS receiver receives GNSS signal less than desired amt from the GNSS satellite with lowest signal qualities, said method comprising the steps of:

Receive data at transmitter, wherein these data comprise position and almanac information;

Determine the tabulation of satellite according to described position, almanac information and system time;

Generation comprises pseudo-random code and corresponding to the characteristics of signals of the navigation information of this satellite list, this pseudo-random code has phase information and Doppler frequency information; With

The signal that described characteristics of signals is arranged via the transmitter antenna output device is to described GNSS receiver.

9. method according to claim 8, wherein said characteristics of signals and described position and described time correlation.

10. method according to claim 8, wherein said position are the positions of described transmitter transmitting antenna.

11. method according to claim 8, wherein said position are not the positions of described transmitter transmitting antenna.

12. a GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) transmitter comprises:

The nonvolatile memory of memory location;

The clock that keeps system time;

According to described position and the definite microprocessor that will be included in the information in the GNSS signal of described system time;

Generation comprises the signal processor of the signal of described information;

According to the GNSS radio-frequency signal generator that produces the GNSS signal from the signal of described signal processor; With

Broadcast the GNSS antenna system of described GNSS signal.

13. GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) according to claim 12 also comprises:

From the receiving antenna of at least one satellite reception GNSS signal,

According to determining described information from the described GNSS signal of described receiving antenna, described information comprises phase place and Doppler frequency information to wherein said microprocessor at least in part.

14. GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) according to claim 12,

Wherein said nonvolatile memory comprises almanac, and

Wherein said microprocessor is determined described information according to described position, described system time and described almanac, and described information comprises phase place and Doppler frequency information.

15. GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) transmitter according to claim 12 also comprises the distribution network of described GNSS signal allocation at least two GNSS transmitters.

16. GNSS transmitter according to claim 12 also is included in and makes it possible to the backup battery system that continues to operate under the situation from the power breakdown of power supply.

17. a GNSS transmitter system comprises:

Collect the GNSS receiver antenna of one or more GNSS constellation signals;

Processing is from described one or more GNSS constellation signals of described receiver antenna and extract the GNSS receiver of current constellation information;

One or more GNSS transmitters; With

Be used for described current constellation information is assigned to the mechanism of described one or more GNSS transmitter units.

18. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more GNSS transmitters also comprise:

The nonvolatile memory of the position of the transmitting antenna of storage GNSS satellite constellation almanac and described GNSS transmitter unit;

The clock that keeps the GNSS system time of reality;

Carry out one or more task handling unit, wherein said one or more task comprises with the described mechanism that distributes current constellation information communicates by letter, manage the operation of described GNSS transmitter, calculate in the satellite list at least one according to described current constellation information with from the GNSS system time of described clock, wherein this processing unit also is arranged to according to the aerial position of described GNSS transmitter with from the described current constellation information of described mechanism and calculates the GNSS signal, and wherein said signal has and the aerial position of described GNSS transmitter and the relevant characteristic of GNSS system time of described reality;

Produce the GNSS radio-frequency signal generator of described GNSS signal; With

Broadcast the GNSS antenna system of described GNSS signal.

19. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein said processing unit comprises at least two in microprocessor, signal processor and the radio-frequency signal generator.

20. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein said processing unit comprise at least two of the microprocessor, signal processor and the radio-frequency signal generator that are arranged on the single chip.

21. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17 also is included in and makes it possible to the backup battery system that continues to operate under the situation from the power breakdown of external source.

22. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein distributing the described mechanism of current constellation information is computer network, and described GNSS transmitter system also comprises:

Web server computer; With

Computer network.

23. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17 also comprises:

To arrive the GNSS signal distribution network of one or more GNSS receivers by the GNSS constellation signal allocation that described GNSS antenna is collected.

24. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein said GNSS signal distribution network also comprises:

The coax network that comprises one or more concentric cable.

25. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 24, wherein said coax network also comprises one or more multiplying arrangements.

26. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 24, wherein said coax network also comprise one or more signal allocation equipment.

27. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein said GNSS signal distribution network comprises:

Fiber optic network also comprises:

The GNSS conversion of signals is become the analog radio frequency fibre optic transmitter of the light frequency be used on fiber optic network, transmitting;

One or more optical cables; With

One or more analog radio frequency fibre optic receivers are used to receive the described GNSS signal that has been converted into the light frequency that is used for transmitting on fiber optic network and described GNSS conversion of signals are returned original frequency.

28. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17, wherein said GNSS signal distribution network also comprises:

Analog wireless networks comprises:

Be used for the GNSS conversion of signals is become the artificial antenna radio frequency sending set of the frequency be used on radio net, transmitting;

The antenna system of the described GNSS signal of broadcasting on radio net;

On radio net, receive one or more antenna systems of described GNSS signal; With

One or more artificial antenna radio-frequency transmitters are used to receive the described GNSS signal that has been converted into the frequency that is used for transmitting on radio net and described GNSS conversion of signals are returned original frequency.

29. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17 wherein utilizes the accurate GNSS system time that obtains from described current constellation information to upgrade clock the described independent GNSS transmitter, to keep synchronously with described actual GNSS system time.

30. GNSS transmitter system according to claim 17 wherein utilizes the accurate GNSS system time that obtains from described current constellation information to upgrade real-time clock the described independent GNSS transmitter, to keep synchronously with described actual GNSS system time.

31. the computer-readable medium of a storage computation machine instructions, when these instructions are carried out by processor, make the GNSS transmitter provide the signal of reconstruct to the GNSS receiver, wherein said GNSS receiver receives GNSS signal less than desired amt from the GNSS satellite with lowest signal qualities, and described instruction may further comprise the steps:

From the GNSS satellite received signal, wherein said signal comprises constellation information by the GNSS receiver antenna;

Determine the tabulation of satellite according to described constellation information;

Generation is corresponding to the satellite chip of satellite list;

According to the location updating characteristics of signals that is blocked the GNSS receiver; And

There is the signal of the characteristics of signals of described modification to arrive described GNSS receiver via the transmitter antenna output device.

32. the computer-readable medium of a storage computation machine instruction, these instructions make the GNSS transmitter provide signal to the GNSS receiver, wherein said GNSS receiver receives GNSS signal less than desired amt from the GNSS satellite with lowest signal qualities, and described instruction may further comprise the steps:

Receive data at transmitter, wherein these data comprise position and almanac information;

Determine the tabulation of satellite according to described position, almanac information and system time;

Generation comprises pseudo-random code and corresponding to the characteristics of signals of the navigation information of satellite list, this pseudo-random code has phase information and Doppler frequency information; With

The signal that described characteristics of signals is arranged via the transmitter antenna output device is to described GNSS receiver.

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