The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 31, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 17, 1997
Rudolph M Kalafus, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Paul Braisted, San Jose, CA (US);
Trimble Navigation, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A precision approach capable dual differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver avionics system. The system of the present invention includes a first and a second DGPS receiver. The first and second DGPS receivers are both adapted to interface with an autopilot in an aircraft. The DGPS receivers each determine the position of the aircraft as the aircraft proceeds along a flight path. Both DGPS receivers are further adapted to employ carrier aiding to smooth the code phase measurements used in determining the position of the aircraft. Within a predetermined range along the approach path of the aircraft and when the output of the first DGPS receiver and the output of the second DGPS receiver are proximate within a predetermined distance, the DGPS receivers determine a transition point. After the transition point, the DGPS receivers utilize DGPS carrier phase tracking to determine the position of the aircraft relative to its position at the transition point. The low noise characteristics of the carrier phase tracking allows the DGPS receivers to properly interface with the autopilot of the aircraft.