The Boeing Company

Henry E Halladay

David O Edewaard

Layne D Lommen

Gary Alan Ray

Terry M Swann

Remote programmable reference systems and methods are described. A remote programmable reference system maintains a set of parameters from which a reference signal can be generated to transmit the reference signal to a system platform. In an embodiment, a parameters update can be received from which a modified reference signal can be generated to transmit the modified reference signal. In another embodiment, the remote programmable reference system maintains multiple sets of parameters from which respective reference signals can be generated for any one or more system platforms having different system configurations. The system platforms can interface with the remote programmable reference system through a system interface via a communication network.

Remote programmable reference

A method and apparatus for estimating bias errors in a time-difference-of-arrival/frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA/FDOA) geolocation system using a reference signal transmitter in which position and/or motion information of the reference signal transmitter is encoded into the reference signal. The motion information may include the velocity and/or acceleration of the reference signal transmitter. The reference signal is received by multiple collection platforms operating in conjunction with a geolocation system and a reference correction processing system. The reference correction processing system receives, via the multiple collection platforms, the position and/or motion information, which is immediately and unambiguously associated with specific reference signal transmissions. The geolocation system estimates the position and/or velocity of the reference signal transmitter using conventional TDOA/FDOA techniques. The estimated position and/or velocity of the reference signal transmitter is compared to the information contained in the reference signal to estimate bias errors.

Reference beacon methods and apparatus for TDOA/FDOA geolocation

Methods and systems for providing an improved geolocation of a plurality of transmitters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing a geolocation of a plurality of transmitters includes determining a relative location of each transmitter in the plurality of transmitters with respect to at least one other transmitter in the plurality of transmitters; determining an initial geolocation of the plurality of transmitters; computing a calibration factor by comparing the initial geolocation of the plurality of transmitters to the relative locations of the plurality of transmitters; and determining a calibrated geolocation of the plurality transmitters by adjusting at least one final geolocation of the plurality of transmitters by the calibration factor.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Henry E Halladay