Hughes Electronics Corporation

Bruce E Shuman

Donald C D Chang

Kar W Yung

David C Cheng

William J Nunan

A method and system for determining a position of an orbiting transceiver in a communications network includes at least a first and second transceiver at a first and second known location, respectively, on Earth. The first and second transceivers are adapted to transmit and receive communications signals to and from the orbiting transceiver. A processor coupled to one of the first and second transceivers determines a first and second range measurement between each of the first and second transceivers and the orbiting transceiver, respectively, as well as corresponding first and second range rates representative of a time rate of change of the first and second range measurements. The processor then determines a circle of intersection representative of the set of possible positions for the orbiting transceiver based on the first range measurement and the first range rate wherein the circle of intersection includes a specific orientation in space, a specific radius and a center in a specific, three-dimensional position relative to the known position of the first transceiver. An angular position of the orbiting transceiver is then determined along the circle of intersection based on the known position of the second transceiver and the second range measurement. Finally, the position of the orbiting transceiver is determined based on the circle of intersection and the angular position.

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Playa Del Rey, CA, United States of America

Bruce E Shuman