Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Keith L Kerley

James H Doty

Daniel L Woodell

Venkata A Sishtla

Richard D Jinkins

Richard Marcel Rademaker

Shih-Yih Young

Richard E Heinrich

Mark B Godfrey

Angelo J Joseph

James Alva Young, Jr

The disclosed invention embodies a system and method for multi-sensor, multi-frequency, multi-constellation data integration providing integrated onboard positioning of a vehicle. Multiple correlators perform autonomous signal quality monitoring to avoid the need for external augmentation systems. The integrated method and system typically includes multi-constellation, multi-channel GNSS and may consider positioning information from one or more other positioning resources including onboard, airborne, and ground-based signals. The positioning information from these functions are used in combination to exclude an erroneous signal from consideration while providing an integrated, blended precision positioning solution with improved size, weight, power and cost characteristics. The system utilizes a plurality of positioning signals from multiple GNSS constellations on multiple channels correlated with ground-based, airborne, and onboard positioning signals to determine a hierarchy of positioning signals used in accurate positioning without the need for differential correction provided by offboard augmentation.

Low-cost high integrity integrated multi-sensor precision navigation system

A method of determining the ground speed or drift angle of an aircraft is described. It is determined whether or not a weather threshold has been met based on returns of a radar beam which is pulse compressed in a first scan. If the weather threshold is determined to have not been met, a ground speed or drift angle of the aircraft is determined based on Doppler processing of radar beam returns of a radar beam in a second scan. If the weather threshold has been met, a bottom radar beam is directed lower to the ground, and a ground speed or drift angle of the aircraft is determined based on Doppler processing returns of the bottom radar beam directed lower to the ground. A corresponding radar system is also described.

Smart beam selection for radar aided navigation

A position determining voting system that uses Doppler information from an on-board weather radar to improve the system's accuracy and/or fault tolerance includes a comparison function and an error integration function. The comparison function is used to monitor the independent position sources for correct operation, comparing and identifying a position source that should not be used based on its relative error compared with the other position sources and their characteristics. The integration function provides corrections to relative position sources by integrating the data from multiple absolute position sources when they are mutually consistent.

Voting system and method using doppler aided navigation

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Satellite Beach, FL, United States of America

Keith L Kerley