Hughes Electronics Corporation

Robert R Holden

Donald C D Chang

Kar W Yung

John I Novak, Iii

A method and system for determining a position of an object utilizes two-way ranging and polystatic techniques. A first communication transceiver at a first known location provides a bidirectional communication path between the first communication transceiver and the object wherein the first communication transceiver transmits a first ranging signal to the object and the object transmits a second ranging signal to the first communication transceiver in response to the first ranging signal. The first communication transceiver further provides a first unidirectional communication path between the first communication transceiver and the object wherein the first communication transceiver performs one of transmitting a third ranging signal to the object and receiving a fourth ranging signal from the object. A second communication transceiver at a second known location provides a second unidirectional communication path between the second communication transceiver and the object wherein the second communication transceiver performs one of transmitting a third ranging signal to the object and receiving a fourth ranging signal from the object. A signal processor determines a first path length corresponding to a first time length of the bidirectional communication path, a second path length corresponding to a second time length of the first and second unidirectional communication paths, and the position of the object based on the first and second known locations and the first and second path lengths.

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Santa Monica, CA, United States of America

Robert R Holden