Supporting a Satellite Based Positioning

• US 20090140918A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Honkanen, Tuomo, Valio, Harri, Alanen, Kimmo, Syrjarinne, Jari, Pietila, Samuli
• Granted Patent: US 8,760,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.770
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/09 providing processing capability normally carried out by the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/33 Multimode operation in different systems which transmit time stamped messages, e.g. GPS/GLONASS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/37 Hardware or software details of the signal processing chain

Abstract

A satellite signal receiver 40 comprises a measurement component 43 adapted to perform measurements on received satellite signals. In order to enable an enhanced handling of the measurements, the receiver further comprises a first processing unit 44 adapted to run a software 45 for controlling the measurement component 43 based on received control parameters. In addition, it comprises a first interface component 46 adapted to receive control parameters via another interface component 34 from another processing unit 35, adapted to provide the control parameters to the first processing unit 44 and adapted to forward measurement results from the measurement component 43 via the other interface component 34 to the other processing unit 35.

Claims

1. Satellite signal receiver comprising:

a measurement component adapted to perform measurements on received satellite signals;

a first processing unit adapted to run a software for controlling said measurement component based on received control parameters; and

a first interface component adapted to receive control parameters via another interface component from another processing unit, adapted to provide said control parameters to said first processing unit and adapted to forward measurement results from said measurement component via said other interface component to said other processing unit.

2. Satellite signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein said first processing unit is further adapted to run a software for converting measurement results of said measurement component into a suitable format for position information calculations in said other processing unit.

3. Satellite signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein said measurement component is adapted to perform measurements on received satellite signals transmitted by satellites of at least two different satellite positioning systems, depending on control parameters provided by said other processing unit.

4. Satellite signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein said first interface component is adapted to employ a dedicated protocol for receiving control data and transmitting measurement results.

5. Satellite signal receiver according to claim 1, wherein said first processing unit is adapted to control said measurement component for providing measurement results for at least two of the following positioning modes:

a standalone positioning, a network assisted positioning and a network based positioning.

6. Satellite signal receiver according to claim 5, wherein said first processing unit is adapted to control said measurement component essentially in the same manner for each of said at least two positioning modes.

7. Mobile arrangement comprising:

a satellite signal receiver according to claim 1;

said other processing unit, wherein said other processing unit is adapted to run a control software for generating control parameters for said measurement component and an evaluation software for processing measurement results provided by said measurement component; and

said other interface component, wherein said other interface component is adapted to transfer control parameters generated by said other processing unit to said first interface component and to forward measurement results received from said first interface component to said other processing unit.

8. Mobile arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said control software is adapted generate control parameters for said measurement component in a format which is suitable for said satellite signal receiver.

9. Mobile arrangement according to claim 8, wherein said control software is adapted generate control parameters for said measurement component by converting available assistance data into a protocol independent format which is suitable for said satellite signal receiver.

10. Mobile arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said first interface component is further adapted to forward measurement results not related to satellite positioning from said measurement component to said other interface component, and wherein said other interface component is adapted to forward said measurement results received from said first interface component to said other processing unit.

11. Mobile arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said first processing unit and said second processing unit are adapted to support at least two of the following positioning modes:

a standalone positioning, a network assisted positioning and a network based positioning, wherein said first processing unit is adapted to control said measurement component essentially in the same manner for each of said at least two positioning modes and wherein said second processing unit is adapted to perform said processing of measurement results essentially in the same manner for each of said at least two positioning modes.

12. Mobile arrangement according to claim 7 comprising a mobile communication device, wherein said control software and said evaluation software are implemented in a software that is adapted to support communications of said mobile communication device via a mobile communication network.

13. Mobile arrangement according to claim 7, wherein said mobile arrangement is a mobile communication device.

14. Mobile arrangement according to claim 7 comprising a mobile communication device, which includes said other processing unit and said other interface component, wherein said satellite signal receiver is an accessory device for said mobile communication device.

15. Interface for a mobile arrangement supporting a satellite based positioning, which mobile arrangement comprises a satellite signal receiver, including a measurement component and a first processing unit, and which mobile arrangement comprises another processing unit,

wherein said interface is arranged for enabling a communication between said satellite signal receiver and said other processing unit;

wherein said interface comprises a first interface component in said satellite signal receiver and another interface component;

wherein said first interface component is adapted to receive control parameters from said other interface component, to provide said control parameters to said first processing unit and to forward measurement results from said measurement component to said other interface component; and

wherein said other interface component is adapted to transfer control parameters generated by said other processing unit to said first interface component and to forward measurement results received from said first interface component to said other processing unit.

16. Interface according to claim 15, wherein said first interface component is further adapted to forward measurement results not related to satellite positioning from said measurement component to said other interface component, and wherein said wherein said other interface component is adapted to forward said measurement results received from said first interface component to said other processing unit.

17. Method for supporting a satellite based positioning in a mobile arrangement, wherein said mobile arrangement comprises a satellite signal receiver, including a measurement component and a first processing unit, and wherein said mobile arrangement comprises another processing unit, said method comprising:

generating in said other processing unit control parameters for said satellite signal receiver and transferring said control parameters via an interface to said satellite signal receiver;

controlling in said satellite signal receiver measurements on received satellite signals by said measurement component by means of said first processing unit based on said transferred control parameters;

transferring measurement results of said measurement component via said interface to said other processing unit; and

processing said transferred measurement results in said other processing unit.

18. A software code for a mobile arrangement supporting a satellite based positioning, wherein said mobile arrangement comprises a satellite signal receiver, including a measurement component and a first processing unit, and wherein said mobile arrangement comprises another processing unit, said software code realizing the following steps when running in said other processing unit:

generating control parameters for said satellite signal receiver and causing a transfer of said control parameters to said satellite signal receiver via an interface; and

processing measurement results received from said satellite signal receiver via said interface.

19. A software program product in which a software code according to claim 18 is stored.

20. A software code for a mobile arrangement supporting a satellite based positioning, wherein said mobile arrangement comprises a satellite signal receiver, including a measurement component and a first processing unit, and wherein said mobile arrangement comprises another processing unit, said software code realizing the following steps when running in said first processing unit:

controlling measurements on received satellite signals by said measurement component based on control parameters provided by said other processing unit via an interface; and

causing a transfer of measurement results of said measurement component via said interface to said other processing unit.

21. A software program product in which a software code according to claim 20 is stored.