Receiver

Abstract

A positioning or timing receiver, for receiving pseudo-noise encoded signals includes mask mixers in the main signal paths, prior to accumulators. The mask mixers are fed with mask signals having a period equal to the period of the pseudo-noise code, provided by a mask generator. The mask generator and mixers provide an extra level of functionality in the receiver, through which a large number of uses can be made. For example, without modifying a code signal mixed into the main signal path, the mask mixers allow dynamic adaptability from a wide correlator to a narrow correlator by simple control of the mask generator. Many different discrimination patterns can be obtained. By changing the mask signals and examining correlator outputs, it is possible to detect whether a signal being tracked contains a multipath component. The receiver also includes a switch, whereby two correlators may be fed with signals from the in-phase main signal path.