Precise local positioning systems using ground-based transmitters

• US 20070194988A1
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Novariant Incorporated (Kubota Corporation)
• Inventors: Lawrence, David, Matsuoka, Masayoshi, Zimmerman, Kurt, Montgomery, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,511,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/386
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/11 wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters

Abstract

A precise positioning method and system is disclosed wherein at least one ground transmitter is used for transmitting a ranging signal with code modulation. The at least one ground transmitter is configured to receive a signal from at least one satellite and a second ground transmitter. The at least one ground transmitter measures a code phase of the received signals. The measured code phase information is communicated to a rover that is associated with a user. The rover can determine the user'"'"'s precise position based on the measured code and/or carrier phase information and a clock correction model.

Claims

1. A method for determining a position solution, said method comprising:

using at least one ground transmitter for;

transmitting a ranging signal with code modulation;

receiving a signal from at least one of a satellite and a second ground transmitter;

measuring a code phase of said received signal; and

communicating said measured code phase to a rover; and

excluding a base station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said measured code phase is processed data that includes a clock model, wherein said clock model is based on a transmitter clock of said at least one ground transmitter and a clock reference.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said measured code phase is raw data.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising said rover using said measured code phase for determining said solution position.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said measured code phase has a chipping rate faster than 30 MHz.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a plurality of ground transmitters.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of ground transmitters includes a master ground transmitter.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said plurality of ground transmitters is adapted to receive a ranging signal from said master ground transmitter including information on a master clock and wherein said information on said master clock is used for determining said clock model as a difference between a corresponding ground transmitter clock and said master clock.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of ground transmitters compares clock signals for generating a collection of relative clock models, wherein any one relative clock model from said collection of relative clock models can be used as a clock reference for determining said clock model.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a GPS time reference is used for determining said clock model as a difference between a corresponding ground transmitter clock and said GPS time reference.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating said measured code phase is implemented by using a wireless data link.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating said measured code phase includes using a modulated data message on said ranging signal of said at least one ground transmitter.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising collecting a set of clock models at said master ground transmitter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said set of clock models collected at said master ground transmitter is modulated on a ranging signal associated with said master ground transmitter for conveying said set of clock models to said rover.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising using a wireless data link for communicating said set of clock models to said rover.

16. A system for determining a position solution, said system comprising:

at least one ground transmitter, wherein said at least one ground transmitter;

transmits a wideband ranging signal; and

tracks at least one of a satellite and another ground transmitter;

a rover wherein said rover;

receives said wideband ranging signal;

determines said position solution that is associated with said rover based on said wideband signal and wherein said position solution is within one meter level of accuracy; and

wherein said system excludes a base station.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a clock model for determining said position solution, wherein said clock model is based on a transmitter clock of said at least one ground transmitter and a clock reference.

18. A method for determining a position solution, said method comprising:

transmitting a wideband ranging signal with code modulation by at least one ground transmitter;

generating a clock model based on a transmitter clock of said at least one ground transmitter and a clock reference; and

determining said position solution by using said clock model.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising using a rover for receiving said wideband ranging signal and for said determining of said position solution that is associated with said rover, wherein said position solution is within one meter level of accuracy.

20. A system for determining a position solution, the system comprising:

at least one ground transmitting means for transmitting a wideband ranging signal;

a tracking means for tracking at least one of a satellite and another ground transmitting means;

a receiving means for receiving said wideband ranging signal;

a determining means for determining said position solution based on said wideband signal and wherein said position solution is within one meter level of accuracy; and

wherein said system excludes a base station.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a clock model means, wherein said clock model means is based on a transmitter clock associated with said at least one ground transmitting means and a clock reference.

22. A system for determining a position solution, the system comprising:

at least one ground transmitting means for transmitting a wideband ranging signal;

a tracking means for tracking at least one of a satellite and another ground transmitting means;

a receiving means for receiving said wideband ranging signal;

a clock model means, wherein said clock model means is based on a transmitter clock associated with said at least one ground transmitting means and a clock reference; and

a determining means for determining said position solution based on said wideband signal and wherein said position solution is within one meter level of accuracy.