Trimble Inc.

Trimble Navigation Limited

Leica Geosystems Ag

Stephan Seeger

Eric Karl Wilson

Xiaoming Chen

Rodrigo Leandro

Markus Glocker

Nico Reussner

The invention relates to a method carried out by a navigation satellite system (NSS) receiver or a processing entity receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters useful to determine a position. The NSS receiver observes NSS signals from NSS satellites over multiple epochs. A filter, called 'precise estimator', is operated, which uses state variables, makes use of NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver, and computes its state variable values based on observations that are not derived from NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. Seeding information is obtained, and a constrained solution, called 'seeding- and ambiguity-constrained solution', is computed by constraining the ambiguities of the precise estimator by the seeding information, by resolving the resulting ambiguities, and by constraining at least one of the other state variables of the precise estimator by the resolved ambiguities. A corresponding system is also disclosed.

Advanced navigation satellite system positioning method and system using seeding information

A method of implementing convergence of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver is disclosed. A GNSS receiver which is coupled with a mobile machine is shut down. The GNSS receiver is in a converged state at shut down. The GNSS receiver is automatically powered up at a preset time. A convergence algorithm is automatically initiated prior to start of work that utilizes the GNSS receiver.

Timer initiated convergence of a GNSS receiver

A method of implementing fast GNSS convergence by relative positioning is disclosed. A GNSS receiver which is coupled with a mobile machine is shut down. The GNSS receiver is in a converged state at shut down. A movement sensor is monitored to determine if net movement of a GNSS antenna coupled with the mobile machine exceeds a threshold net movement parameter while the GNSS receiver is shut down. Upon power up of the GNSS receiver, a shorter convergence algorithm is initiated in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has not been exceeded. The shorter convergence algorithm is also initiated upon power up of the GNSS receiver in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has been exceeded but information from the movement sensor has been used to update the location of the GNSS receiver since said shut down.

Fast GNSS receiver convergence by relative positioning

A method of implementing convergence selection of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a GNSS receiver which is coupled with a mobile machine is shut down. The GNSS receiver is in a converged state at shut down. A movement sensor is monitored to determine if net movement of a GNSS antenna coupled with the mobile machine exceeds a threshold net movement parameter while the GNSS receiver is shut down. Upon power up of the GNSS receiver, a shorter convergence algorithm is initiated in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has not been exceeded and a longer convergence algorithm is initiated in response to determining that the threshold net movement parameter has been exceeded.

Global navigation satellite system receiver convergence selection

Methods and apparatus are described for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from code observations and carrier-phase observations at multiple receivers of GNSS signals of multiple satellites over multiple epochs, the GNSS signals having at least two carrier frequencies and a navigation message containing orbit information, comprising: obtaining precise orbit information for each satellite, determining at least one set of ambiguities per receiver, each ambiguity corresponding to one of a receiver-satellite link and a satellite-receiver-satellite link, and using at least the precise orbit information, the ambiguities and the GNSS signal data to estimate a phase-leveled clock per satellite.

GNSS signal processing to estimate phase-leveled clocks

Methods and apparatus are described for processing a set of GNSS signal data derived from code observations and carrier-phase observations at multiple receivers of GNSS signals of multiple satellites over multiple epochs, the GNSS signals having at least two carrier frequencies, comprising: forming an MW (Melbourne-W&#xfc;bbena) combination per receiver-satellite pairing at each epoch to obtain a MW data set per epoch, and estimating from the MW data set per epoch an MW bias per satellite which may vary from epoch to epoch, and a set of WL (widelane) ambiguities, each WL ambiguity corresponding to one of a receiver-satellite link and a satellite-receiver-satellite link, wherein the MW bias per satellite is modeled as one of (i) a single estimation parameter and (ii) an estimated offset plus harmonic variations with estimated amplitudes.

GNSS signal processing to estimate MW biases

In order to derive distance information according to the phase measuring principle, a periodic signal with at least two, in particular modulated, wavelengths &#x3bb;are transmitted to two or more objects, their reflections are received again and the associated phases &#x3c6;are determined and decomposed into their individual object phases &#x3c6;which are assigned to the J objects. In order to resolve phase ambiguities, an ambiguity interval in which at least one object is located is divided into cells () with a defined width, with each cell () being assigned a counter reading and a distance. The counter reading is incremented for the cells () which are assigned to a possible object distance, with the incrementation being carried out for a periodicity sequential variable and for all the phases. An absolute phase or a true object distance Dfrom the at least two objects is determined from the distribution of the counter readings.

Growing community of inventors

Hoehenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, Germany

Stephan Seeger