Self-monitoring satellite system
First Claim
1. A self-monitoring satellite comprising:
- a transmitter mounted on the satellite;
a receiver mounted on the satellite and configured to receive a signal transmitted from the satellite; and
a processor associated with the receiver and configured to monitor a characteristic of the received signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-monitoring satellite system is disclosed to more quickly and accurately convey satellite signal information and verification of its reliability to users of the signal. In a first aspect, the satellite includes one or more receivers on the satellite to monitor the reliability of signals transmitted from the satellite. In a second aspect, a warning signal is generated and transmitted substantially simultaneous with an unreliable satellite signal and at the same frequency as the satellite signal. Exemplary embodiments to implement the various aspects of the self-monitoring satellite system invention are configured as global positioning system (GPS) satellites, signals, and receivers.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A self-monitoring satellite comprising:
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a transmitter mounted on the satellite;
a receiver mounted on the satellite and configured to receive a signal transmitted from the satellite; and
a processor associated with the receiver and configured to monitor a characteristic of the received signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of monitoring the reliability of a signal transmitted from a satellite, the method comprising:
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receiving the signal on the satellite from which the signal was transmitted; and
monitoring a characteristic of the received signal for reliability. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of warning a satellite signal user of an unreliable signal, the method comprising:
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transmitting a satellite signal including satellite data to a receiver;
evaluating a characteristic of the transmitted satellite signal for reliability;
transmitting a warning signal to the receiver, the warning signal including warning data relating to the reliability of the evaluated characteristic of the satellite signal;
receiving both the warning signal and the satellite signal at the receiver; and
determining whether to rely upon the satellite signal in response to the warning signal. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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- 20. A satellite signal system comprising a processor configured to determine the reliability of a satellite signal, generate a reliability indicator in response to the reliability determination, and substantially simultaneously transmit the satellite signal and the reliability indicator to a receiver.
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25. A GPS satellite system comprising:
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a plurality of satellites each transmitting a GPS satellite signal;
a first GPS satellite comprising;
a first satellite receiver configured to monitor the GPS satellite signal transmitted from the first satellite; and
a processor associated with the receiver and configured to evaluate a characteristic of the monitored GPS satellite signal transmitted from the satellite; and
a receiver on earth configured to receive one or more transmitted GPS satellite signals and determine therefrom at least one of a position, a velocity and a time reference for the ground receiver. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of bounding the inaccuracy of a GPS satellite signal at a receiver, the method comprising:
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receiving a transmitted GPS satellite signal at a satellite from which the signal was transmitted;
monitoring at least one characteristic of the received signal for reliability; and
transmitting a warning signal approximately simultaneous with the transmitted GPS satellite signal if the signal is deemed unreliable. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification