The Boeing Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Theboeing Company

Barton G Ferrell

David Arthur Whelan

Gregory M Gutt

Clark Emerson Cohen

Robert W Brumley

Greg M Gutt

Brent Michael Ledvina

William J Bencze

Mark Lockwood Psiaki

Christopher J Martens

Anne T Haddad

William G Butters

Paul J Degroot

Mike J Courtney

L Adam Latham

Phillip D Alldredge

Gregory Murden

Alan R Weichman

A generalized high performance navigation system is provided using low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. In one embodiment, a method of performing navigation includes receiving a LEO signal from a LEO satellite. The method also includes decoding a navigation signal from the LEO signal. The method further includes receiving first and second ranging signals from first and second ranging sources, respectively. In addition, the method includes determining calibration information associated with the first and second ranging sources. The method also includes calculating a position using the navigation signal, the first and second ranging signals, and the calibration information.

Generalized high performance navigation system

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for obtaining a precise absolute time using a satellite system. The precise absolute time may be used, for example, as an aid for positioning systems including navigation in attenuated or jammed environments. A method of obtaining precise absolute time transfer from a satellite according to an embodiment comprises: receiving a precision time signal from a satellite, wherein the precision time signal comprises a periodic repeating code; determining a timing phase of the code; receiving additional aiding information; and using the timing phase and the additional aiding information to determine a precise absolute time.

Precise absolute time transfer from a satellite system

A method for estimating a precise position of a user device from signals from a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes receiving at least one carrier signal at a user device, each carrier signal being transmitted a distinct LEO satellite. The user device processes the carrier signals to obtain a first carrier phase information. The user device recalls an inertial position fix derived at an inertial reference unit. The user device derives a position of the user device based on the inertial position fix and the first carrier phase information.

LEO-based positioning system for indoor and stand-alone navigation

Systems and methods according to various embodiments provide for navigation in attenuated environments by integrating satellite signals with Internet hotspot signals. In one embodiment, a receiver unit adapted to perform geolocation comprises an antenna adapted to receive a precision time signal from a satellite and receive additional aiding information from a wireless network station, wherein the precision time signal comprises a periodic repeating code. The receiver unit also comprises a processor and a memory adapted to store a plurality of computer readable instructions which when executed by the processor are adapted to cause the receiver unit to: use the precision time signal and the aiding information to determine a precise absolute time, determine positioning information associated with the receiver unit, use the positioning information to request location information of the wireless network station, and determine an absolute geolocation of the receiver unit using the positioning information and the location information.

Internet hotspots localization using satellite systems

Various techniques are provided for calibrating a frequency of a local clock using a satellite signal. In one example, a method of transferring frequency stability from a satellite to a device includes receiving a signal from the satellite. The method also includes determining a code phase from the satellite signal. The method further includes receiving aiding information. In addition, the method includes calibrating a frequency of a local clock of the device using the code phase and the aiding information to substantially synchronize the local clock frequency with a satellite clock frequency.

Local clock frequency calibration using low earth orbit (LEO) satellites

A low earth orbit (LEO) satellite data uplink is provided. In one embodiment, a method of providing a data uplink to a LEO satellite includes determining position information using a LEO signal received from the LEO satellite, a first ranging signal received from a first ranging source, and a second ranging signal received from a second ranging source. The method also includes determining a timing advance parameter using a local clock reference and a LEO satellite clock reference. The method further includes preparing a data uplink signal comprising uplink data to be broadcast to the LEO satellite. In addition, the method includes synchronizing the data uplink signal with the LEO satellite using the timing advance parameter. The method also includes broadcasting the data uplink signal to the LEO satellite.

Low earth orbit satellite data uplink

Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites are used to provide navigation signals. In one embodiment, a method of providing a LEO signal from a LEO satellite includes providing a plurality of transmit channels over a plurality of transmit slots. The transmit channels comprise a set of communication channels and a set of navigation channels. The method also includes generating a first pseudo random noise (PRN) ranging overlay corresponding to a navigation signal. The method further includes applying the first PRN ranging overlay to a first set of the navigation channels. In addition, the method includes combining the communication channels and the navigation channels into a LEO signal. The method also includes broadcasting the LEO signal from the LEO satellite.

Low earth orbit satellite providing navigation signals

Various approaches to localized jamming of navigation signals are provided. In one embodiment, a navigation signal comprises at least a portion of a low earth orbit (LEO) signal provided by a LEO satellite. A noise source is filtered to provide a plurality of filtered noise signals in a plurality of frequency bands. The navigation signal is spread over a plurality of channels of the LEO signal. The channels are distributed over the frequency bands and a plurality of time slots. A pseudo random noise (PRN) sequence is generated. The filtered noise signals are modulated using the PRN sequence to provide a plurality of modulated noise signals. The modulated noise signals are broadcast over an area of operations to provide a plurality of jamming bursts corresponding to the navigation signal. The jamming bursts are configured to substantially mask the navigation signal in the area of operations.

Localized jamming of navigation signals

A navigation system provides a significant level of protection against all forms of interference or jamming to GPS in a cost-effective way. The system employs a network of ground reference stations and Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites in conjunction with GPS. A common-view ranging geometry to a GPS satellite is established that links a reference station and a user. A second common-view geometry to a LEO satellite between the same reference station and user pair is also established. The ground stations synthesize real-time aiding signals by making carrier phase measurements of GPS the LEO satellite signals. This aiding information is transmitted via the LEO satellites to the user receiver at high power to penetrate ambient jamming. The user receiver locks onto the carrier phase of the LEO satellite, demodulates the aiding information, then applies the carrier phase measurements and the aiding information to enable extended coherent measurements of the GPS signals. The system thereby recovers the GPS signals that would otherwise be lost to the jamming.

Methods and apparatus for a navigation system with reduced susceptibility to interference and jamming

This invention describes a means for acquiring GPS P/Y code under jamming conditions. It improves jam resistance by augmenting a component of the GPS signal with one from a different satellite system, such as a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite. The preferred embodiment of this invention employs the Iridium LEO satellite constellation broadcasting in a 10 MHz wide band about 1,621 MHz. A low-cost, integrated Iridium receiver coupled to the GPS receiver employs a single antenna that is capable of receiving both the GPS and Iridium signals together.

GPS access system and method

A method for determining the far field radar signature of relatively large and complex objects, like a fighter aircraft, and the facility to provide the data for the method. The method includes reflecting different frequencies of near field radar energy off of an object while translating the object in a radial direction with respect to the radar so the resulting radar return includes a moving signal representative of the radar return of the object and a stationary return representative of environmental clutter. The environmental clutter and R 4 amplitude variations caused by signal strength variations due to the different overall reflection distances during translation are removed from the radar signal. Multipath reflections may also be removed. The resultant signal is transformed from a spherical wave to a cylindrical wave so that for objects having a major dimension that is presented to the radar with respect to a much smaller minor dimension at right angles thereto, the radar signature as determined by the method is almost identical to that obtainable at a far field radar range. In addition, the facility includes an electromagnetically shielded building, object translating devices with position feedback, object rotators, and a computer to perform the transformations.

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Troy, IL, United States of America

Barton G Ferrell