Spread spectrum position determination, ranging and communication system

Abstract

The spread spectrum wireless position determinator, ranging, and communication system is disclosed in this invention. The system consists of handheld or otherwise mobile apparatus which can be hand-carried or installed in the carts or vehicles, fixed-position reference stations deployed throughout the vicinity of the operating region of interests, and a central reference station. The mobile apparatus includes a spread spectrum transceiver, an input unit, and an output unit, which supports four functions: 1). accurately determines its position within the operating region and distance to pre-defined features within the region, 2). provides a voice communications with another mobile apparatus or central reference station within the region, 3). transmits or receives data message which can be routed via the reference stations to the central station, or other mobile apparatus within the region, 4). displays various information or stores information entered by the operator. The central reference station also has a spread spectrum radio transceiver which can transmit and receive voice or data massage to and from any mobile apparatuses or reference stations within the region and a computer which collects and processes the radio data, maintains the databases for the operation of the system, or provides a man-machine interface for the system. The reference stations are deployed in strategic locations through the region such that the mobile apparatuses in any accessible location can communicate with one or more reference stations. All reference stations contain a spread spectrum transceiver, which supports the radiolocationing function initiated by the mobile apparatuses and relays any received data packets to other reference stations, central station, or mobile apparatuses.