Autonomous navigation error correction
First Claim
1. An apparatus for continuously monitoring a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in space, comprising:
- a plurality of GPS receivers respectively on-board said plurality of GPS satellites for continuously monitoring and receiving navigation signals from said plurality of GPS satellites in view of the plurality of GPS receivers; and
means for determining a range to said each GPS satellite in view of said plurality of GPS receivers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for continuously monitoring a constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites from space is disclosed. The system utilizes a plurality of GPS receivers respectivelyinstalled on-board the GPS satellites. The on-board GPS receivers receive the navigation signals transmitted by its host GPS satellite in addition to the navigation signals from all of the GPS satellites in view. The system further utilizes a Kalman filter which can also be installed on-board one or more of the GPS satellites in space to achieve further isolation from the master control station. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of GPS receivers on-board the GPS satellites and substantially continuously receiving at the GPS receivers navigation signals from the GPS satellites in view of the GPS receivers, and continuously determining a range from the navigation signal of each GPS satellite in view of the GPS receivers.
22 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for continuously monitoring a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in space, comprising:
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a plurality of GPS receivers respectively on-board said plurality of GPS satellites for continuously monitoring and receiving navigation signals from said plurality of GPS satellites in view of the plurality of GPS receivers; and
means for determining a range to said each GPS satellite in view of said plurality of GPS receivers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for continuously monitoring a constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in six orbital planes at 55 degrees inclination and 12 sidereal hour periods from space, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of GPS receivers respectively mounted on-board said GPS satellites for continuously monitoring and receiving navigation signals from said GPS satellites in view of the GPS receivers;
means for determining a range to said each GPS satellite in view of said plurality of GPS receivers; and
means for calculating ephemeris data and clock error data received from said navigation signals of said each GPS satellite and generating correction error data to transmit back to said each GPS satellite via a communication link. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for continuously monitoring a constellation of 24 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in six orbital planes at 55 degrees inclination and 12 sidereal hour periods from space, the apparatus comprising:
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at least 24 GPS receivers respectively installed on-board said 24 GPS satellites for continuously monitoring and receiving navigation signals from said GPS satellites in view of the at least 24 GPS receivers;
means for determining a range to said each GPS satellite in view of said at least 24 GPS receivers; and
at least one Kalman filter installed on-board one of said 24 GPS satellites for calculating ephemeris data and clock error data received from said navigation signals of said each GPS satellite and generating correction error data to transmit back to said each GPS satellite via a communication link. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of continuously monitoring a plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites from space, the method comprising the steps of:
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respectively providing a plurality GPS receivers on-board said plurality of GPS satellites;
continuously receiving navigation signals from said plurality of GPS satellites in view of said plurality of GPS receivers; and
continuously determining a range from said navigation signals of said each GPS satellite in view of said plurality of GPS receivers. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of continuously monitoring a constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in six orbital planes at 55 degrees inclination and 12 sidereal hour periods from space, the method comprising the steps of:
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respectively providing a plurality of GPS receivers on-board said GPS satellites;
continuously monitoring at said plurality of GPS receivers navigation signals from said GPS satellites;
continuously receiving at said plurality of GPS receivers said navigation signals from said each GPS satellite in view; and
continuously determining a range from said navigation signals to said each GPS satellite in view of said plurality of GPS receivers. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of continuously monitoring a constellation of 24 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in six orbital planes at 55 degrees inclination and 12 sidereal hour periods from space, the method comprising the steps of:
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respectively providing at least 24 GPS receivers on-board said 24 GPS satellites;
continuously monitoring at said at least 24 GPS receivers navigation signals from said GPS satellites in view, continuously receiving at said at least 24 GPS receivers said navigation signals from said GPS satellites in view, providing at least one Kalman filter on-board at least one of said GPS satellites, the Kalman filter comprises the steps of;
receiving said navigation signals of said GPS satellites;
calculating the ephemeris data and the clock error data of said each GPS satellite; and
transmitting correction errors back to said each GPS satellite via a communication link. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification