US20020011948A1 - Electronic timing systems. - Google Patents
Electronic timing systems. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020011948A1 US20020011948A1 US09/843,292 US84329201A US2002011948A1 US 20020011948 A1 US20020011948 A1 US 20020011948A1 US 84329201 A US84329201 A US 84329201A US 2002011948 A1 US2002011948 A1 US 2002011948A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- time
- gps
- offset
- data
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- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C5/00—Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels
- G01C5/005—Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels altimeters for aircraft
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
- G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
- G04R20/02—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being sent by a satellite, e.g. GPS
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S19/00—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems; Determining position, velocity or attitude using signals transmitted by such systems
- G01S19/01—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
- G01S19/13—Receivers
- G01S19/14—Receivers specially adapted for specific applications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S19/00—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems; Determining position, velocity or attitude using signals transmitted by such systems
- G01S19/01—Satellite radio beacon positioning systems transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
- G01S19/13—Receivers
- G01S19/32—Multimode operation in a single same satellite system, e.g. GPS L1/L2
Definitions
- This invention relates to electronic timing systems and more especially but not exclusively it relates to systems for the measurement of precise time intervals between events at mutually spaced locations as may for example be required to measure the height of an aircraft by noting the time of reception, at a plurality of spaced apart locations, of a signal transmitted from the aircraft.
- a time offset measurement system for the timing of events at least two spaced apart locations comprising at each location, a dual frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver having operatively associated with it a GPS antenna, wherein both the GPS receiver and the antenna are dual frequency (L 1 , L 2 ), and the former is capable of both Coarse Acquisition (C/A) Code and carrier phase measurements, a frequency reference source giving local time, a data-logger for logging GPS data, a Time Interval Counter (TIC) used to measure the time of a local event as defined by the frequency reference source relative to time as defined in dependence on GPS data and further comprising a central processor system (CPS), and a communication system via which the logged GPS data and time interval data, are received at the CPS from each location, the CPS being arranged to derive a time-offset figure, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, which time-offset figure is indicative of the difference between the times measured by the local clocks at the two sites
- the system may be used in applications where the timing of events at several widely spaced locations is required, appropriate time intervals being computed in each case. Although for most applications the reliability of the system described is perfectly acceptable, for some applications it is highly desirable that event timing is effected with a very high degree of confidence in timing reliability, so that the development of a system fault which affects timing can be identified without delay.
- a time offset measurement system for the timing of events at spaced apart locations comprises at each location, a dual frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver having operatively associated with it a GPS antenna, wherein both the GPS receiver and the antenna are dual frequency (L 1 , L 2 ), and the former is capable of both Coarse Acquisition (C/A) Code and carrier phase measurements, a frequency reference source giving local time, a data-logger for logging GPS data, a Time Interval Counter (TIC) used to measure the time of a local event as defined by the frequency reference source relative to time as defined in dependence on GPS data and further comprising a central processor system (CPS), and a communication system via which the logged GPS data and time interval data, are received at the CPS from each location, the CPS being arranged to derive in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, for each pair of sites a primary time-offset figure based on a direct signal path between the sites, and a secondary time-offset figure based on at least one
- GPS Global Positioning System
- the secondary time-offset figure may be an aggregate time-offset figure based on a plurality of indirect signal paths between the sites.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a time interval measurement system for use at widely spaced locations
- FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the main operational steps of an algorithm as used by a processor forming a part of the system of FIG. 1 in which primary and secondary links are used;
- FIGS. 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , and 2 d are inset diagrams which are positioned alongside steps of the algorithm to which they relate as appropriate.
- a GPS receiver 1 a receives signals on both L 1 and L 2 frequencies from all the GPS satellites in view of an antenna 2 a .
- An internal clock of the GPS receiver 1 a is locked to the frequency from an oscillator 3 a , which in this case is external to the receiver.
- the GPS receiver sends data to a data-logger 4 a , at regular intervals. For each satellite in view, this data comprises: a C/A code pseudo range measurement; carrier phase data (in the form of an Accumulated Doppler Range (ADR) measurement on both L 1 and L 2 frequencies); and ephemeris data (from which the satellite's position can be calculated).
- ADR Accumulated Doppler Range
- a time interval counter 5 a uses the frequency from the reference oscillator 3 a , to measure the time difference between the arrival of a pulse from an external system 6 a , and a pulse from the GPS receiver's clock 7 a . This measurement is sent to the data logger 4 a.
- the measurement data is continuously sent from the data logger 4 a , over a data link, which in this example is an Ethernet link, to a system hub 8 , and CPS 9 .
- a data link which in this example is an Ethernet link
- the CPS 9 collates the data from the data-loggers 4 a , 4 b for each time interval.
- An algorithm comprising operational steps as shown in FIG. 2, is then applied to the collated data to extract the time interval between the two receiver clocks using primary and secondary time interval measurements. These time interval measurements are then used not only to determine the precise time interval between the pulses from 6 a and 6 b (as explained in detail in our copending Patent Application) but also to establish a confidence level by means of an integrity check, as will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2.
- FIG. 2 the operational steps performed by the algorithm are as shown between a start function 10 , and a stop function 11 , and provide for integrity monitoring utilising primary and secondary time-offsets between five sites 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , and 16 , depicted by way of illustration only, in a configuration which corresponds to the ‘five’ on a die, as shown in the inset diagrams FIGS. 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , and 2 d of FIG. 2, wherein the inset diagrams are positioned alongside appropriate operational steps in the algorithm.
- step 17 a by collating the GPS data ( 17 b ) from the various sites 12 , to 16 , as shown in FIG. 2 a , and processing it at step 18 , to determine primary offsets a, b, c, and d, as shown in FIG. 2 b , which are required by an aircraft height measuring system in which timing-offsets at a plurality of locations are required.
- a reference site 16 is nominated, step 19 , against which all of the primary offsets a, b, c, d, are related, the reference site 16 , being given zero timing offset by definition.
- secondary timing-offsets e, f, and g, as shown in FIG. 2 c are calculated, step 20 , (using indirect signal paths) and stored, using the same method as for calculating the primary timing-offsets. It is important to note that the secondary timing-offsets are only used for the purposes of this algorithm and are not required in the height measuring system.
- each primary timing-offset is considered in turn by repeatedly performing a loop operation comprising steps 21 , to 27 , which are sequentially executed for each primary timing-offset in turn, so that a number of alternative estimations are made using the secondary timing-offsets thereby to produce for each primary timing-offset a weighted average derived from corresponding secondary timing-offsets against which each primary timing-offset is checked for consistency.
- a system confidence figure may be computed which can be monitored to provide an immediate indication if primary timing -offset measurements are prejudiced by a system error.
- the system as herein described may find various applications and accordingly modifications may be made to the system described without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly conceived.
- the system may be used to measure the height of an aircraft, as hereinbefore mentioned, using the difference in the times of arrival of a signal transmitted from an aircraft, at several widely spaced receiving locations.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
- Remote Sensing (AREA)
- Position Fixing By Use Of Radio Waves (AREA)
- Control Of Motors That Do Not Use Commutators (AREA)
- Bakery Products And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
- Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
- Electronic Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to electronic timing systems and more especially but not exclusively it relates to systems for the measurement of precise time intervals between events at mutually spaced locations as may for example be required to measure the height of an aircraft by noting the time of reception, at a plurality of spaced apart locations, of a signal transmitted from the aircraft.
- A system of the kind just before referred to forms the subject of our copending Patent Application GB 0003486.8 to which attention is hereby directed.
- The specification accompanying our co-pending Patent Application describes a time offset measurement system for the timing of events at least two spaced apart locations comprising at each location, a dual frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver having operatively associated with it a GPS antenna, wherein both the GPS receiver and the antenna are dual frequency (L1, L2), and the former is capable of both Coarse Acquisition (C/A) Code and carrier phase measurements, a frequency reference source giving local time, a data-logger for logging GPS data, a Time Interval Counter (TIC) used to measure the time of a local event as defined by the frequency reference source relative to time as defined in dependence on GPS data and further comprising a central processor system (CPS), and a communication system via which the logged GPS data and time interval data, are received at the CPS from each location, the CPS being arranged to derive a time-offset figure, in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, which time-offset figure is indicative of the difference between the times measured by the local clocks at the two sites, the time-offset figure thus derived being applied to the time interval measurements to calculate the precise, relative, time difference between events occurring at the two sites.
- As described in the specification accompanying the co-pending Patent Application, the system may be used in applications where the timing of events at several widely spaced locations is required, appropriate time intervals being computed in each case. Although for most applications the reliability of the system described is perfectly acceptable, for some applications it is highly desirable that event timing is effected with a very high degree of confidence in timing reliability, so that the development of a system fault which affects timing can be identified without delay.
- It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide system in which this high level of confidence is provided.
- According to the present invention, a time offset measurement system for the timing of events at spaced apart locations comprises at each location, a dual frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver having operatively associated with it a GPS antenna, wherein both the GPS receiver and the antenna are dual frequency (L1, L2), and the former is capable of both Coarse Acquisition (C/A) Code and carrier phase measurements, a frequency reference source giving local time, a data-logger for logging GPS data, a Time Interval Counter (TIC) used to measure the time of a local event as defined by the frequency reference source relative to time as defined in dependence on GPS data and further comprising a central processor system (CPS), and a communication system via which the logged GPS data and time interval data, are received at the CPS from each location, the CPS being arranged to derive in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, for each pair of sites a primary time-offset figure based on a direct signal path between the sites, and a secondary time-offset figure based on at least one indirect signal path between the sites, wherein confidence that correct system operation obtains is indicated in dependence upon correspondence between the primary and secondary time-offset figures.
- The secondary time-offset figure may be an aggregate time-offset figure based on a plurality of indirect signal paths between the sites.
- It will be appreciated when the system is functioning correctly, the primary and secondary time-offset figures for a given pair of sites should be the substantially same (allowing for measurement tolerances) and thus the absence of correspondence therebetween can be deemed to indicate a system fault.
- One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- FIG. 1, is a schematic block diagram of a time interval measurement system for use at widely spaced locations;
- FIG. 2, is a flow diagram showing the main operational steps of an algorithm as used by a processor forming a part of the system of FIG. 1 in which primary and secondary links are used; and,
- FIGS. 2a, 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d, are inset diagrams which are positioned alongside steps of the algorithm to which they relate as appropriate.
- Referring to FIG. 1, consider now the system at location A in FIG. 1. A GPS receiver1 a, receives signals on both L1 and L2 frequencies from all the GPS satellites in view of an
antenna 2 a. An internal clock of the GPS receiver 1 a, is locked to the frequency from anoscillator 3 a, which in this case is external to the receiver. The GPS receiver sends data to a data-logger 4 a, at regular intervals. For each satellite in view, this data comprises: a C/A code pseudo range measurement; carrier phase data (in the form of an Accumulated Doppler Range (ADR) measurement on both L1 and L2 frequencies); and ephemeris data (from which the satellite's position can be calculated). - A
time interval counter 5 a, uses the frequency from thereference oscillator 3 a, to measure the time difference between the arrival of a pulse from anexternal system 6 a, and a pulse from the GPS receiver'sclock 7 a. This measurement is sent to thedata logger 4 a. - The measurement data is continuously sent from the
data logger 4 a, over a data link, which in this example is an Ethernet link, to asystem hub 8, andCPS 9. - Similar apparatus is provided at the location B, which bears the same numerical designation distinguished by a ‘b’ suffix.
- The
CPS 9 collates the data from the data-loggers - Referring now to FIG. 2, the operational steps performed by the algorithm are as shown between a
start function 10, and a stop function 11, and provide for integrity monitoring utilising primary and secondary time-offsets between fivesites - The algorithm starts with step17 a, by collating the GPS data (17 b) from the
various sites 12, to 16, as shown in FIG. 2a, and processing it at step 18, to determine primary offsets a, b, c, and d, as shown in FIG. 2b, which are required by an aircraft height measuring system in which timing-offsets at a plurality of locations are required. - Having calculated the primary offsets a, b, c, and d, a
reference site 16, is nominated,step 19, against which all of the primary offsets a, b, c, d, are related, thereference site 16, being given zero timing offset by definition. Following this, secondary timing-offsets e, f, and g, as shown in FIG. 2c are calculated,step 20, (using indirect signal paths) and stored, using the same method as for calculating the primary timing-offsets. It is important to note that the secondary timing-offsets are only used for the purposes of this algorithm and are not required in the height measuring system. - Following from this, the integrity and accuracy of each primary timing-offset is considered in turn by repeatedly performing a loop
operation comprising steps 21, to 27, which are sequentially executed for each primary timing-offset in turn, so that a number of alternative estimations are made using the secondary timing-offsets thereby to produce for each primary timing-offset a weighted average derived from corresponding secondary timing-offsets against which each primary timing-offset is checked for consistency. - This could continue for all secondary paths considered relevant, but due to the fact that errors tend to increase with the number of link sections, it may be necessary in some cases to limit the number of secondary links.
- Thus by checking each primary timing-offset against at least one secondary timing-offset calculated using alternative signal paths, a system confidence figure may be computed which can be monitored to provide an immediate indication if primary timing -offset measurements are prejudiced by a system error.
- It will be appreciated that the system as herein described may find various applications and accordingly modifications may be made to the system described without departing from the scope of the invention as broadly conceived. For example, the system may be used to measure the height of an aircraft, as hereinbefore mentioned, using the difference in the times of arrival of a signal transmitted from an aircraft, at several widely spaced receiving locations.
Claims (11)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0010147.7 | 2000-04-27 | ||
GB0010147 | 2000-04-27 | ||
GB0010147A GB2361824B (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2000-04-27 | Improvements in or relating to electronic timing systems |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20020011948A1 true US20020011948A1 (en) | 2002-01-31 |
US6424293B2 US6424293B2 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
Family
ID=9890531
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/843,292 Expired - Lifetime US6424293B2 (en) | 2000-04-27 | 2001-04-27 | Electronic timing systems |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6424293B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1156402B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE414936T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2344584C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60136589D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2316415T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2361824B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102540211A (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2012-07-04 | 成都金本华科技有限公司 | BD-1 (Big Dipper No. 1) satellite multiple crystal oscillator time service system and method thereof |
US20170006568A1 (en) * | 2015-07-02 | 2017-01-05 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Synchronization for wireless communication systems |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998052937A2 (en) * | 1997-05-22 | 1998-11-26 | G.D. Searle And Co. | 4-aryl-3(5)-heteroaryl substituted pyrazoles as p38 kinase |
US20070083302A1 (en) * | 2005-10-07 | 2007-04-12 | Delemarre Louis C | Object locating arrangements, and in particular, aircraft geometric height measurement arrangements |
US9650039B2 (en) * | 2015-03-20 | 2017-05-16 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle location accuracy |
DE102017217818A1 (en) * | 2017-10-06 | 2019-04-11 | Continental Teves Ag & Co. Ohg | A method for issuing a time and method for sending and receiving vehicle-to-X messages |
CN110058274B (en) * | 2019-05-08 | 2020-10-20 | 中国科学院国家授时中心 | Method and system for monitoring time difference between satellite navigation systems |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5319374A (en) * | 1993-02-02 | 1994-06-07 | Trimble Navigation Limited | Precise universal time for vehicles |
US5327144A (en) * | 1993-05-07 | 1994-07-05 | Associated Rt, Inc. | Cellular telephone location system |
-
2000
- 2000-04-27 GB GB0010147A patent/GB2361824B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2001
- 2001-04-05 ES ES01201241T patent/ES2316415T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-04-05 AT AT01201241T patent/ATE414936T1/en active
- 2001-04-05 DE DE60136589T patent/DE60136589D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-04-05 EP EP01201241A patent/EP1156402B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-04-19 CA CA002344584A patent/CA2344584C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-04-27 US US09/843,292 patent/US6424293B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102540211A (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2012-07-04 | 成都金本华科技有限公司 | BD-1 (Big Dipper No. 1) satellite multiple crystal oscillator time service system and method thereof |
US20170006568A1 (en) * | 2015-07-02 | 2017-01-05 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Synchronization for wireless communication systems |
US11153837B2 (en) * | 2015-07-02 | 2021-10-19 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Synchronization for wireless communication systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2344584C (en) | 2007-10-09 |
EP1156402B1 (en) | 2008-11-19 |
GB2361824B (en) | 2004-05-26 |
EP1156402A2 (en) | 2001-11-21 |
DE60136589D1 (en) | 2009-01-02 |
ATE414936T1 (en) | 2008-12-15 |
CA2344584A1 (en) | 2001-10-27 |
ES2316415T3 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
GB0010147D0 (en) | 2000-06-14 |
GB2361824A (en) | 2001-10-31 |
EP1156402A3 (en) | 2004-02-04 |
US6424293B2 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
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