FREQUENCY AIDING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NAVIGATION SATELLITE RECEIVER WITH CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR FREQUENCY HYSTERESIS
First Claim
1. A navigation satellite receiver, comprising:
- a crystal oscillator having an operable temperature range, the crystal oscillator adapted to generate an input clock signal having an actual frequency that drifts from a nominal frequency over the operable temperature range;
a temperature sensor thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator for taking temperature measurements of the crystal oscillator;
a navigation platform for receiving a plurality of signals having a known transmit frequency, the platform being capable of operating;
in an acquisition mode in which the navigation platform attempts to receive, based on the input clock signal, at least one signal from at least one navigation satellite within a search window;
in an operational mode, in which the navigation platform is adapted to receive, based on the input clock signal, a plurality of signals from different navigation satellites to obtain a current positional fix for the receiver; and
a processor for producing first and second sets of frequency information, indicative of a discrepancy between the actual and the nominal frequency of the input clock signal, as a function of oscillator temperature measurements taken by the temperature sensor;
whereby in acquisition mode, the navigation platform determines at least one parameter of the search window for a current oscillator temperature, based on the first and/or second sets of frequency information, to take into account any discrepancy between the actual frequency in relation to the nominal frequency of the input clock signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for estimating oscillator signal variation due to temperature and for providing an estimated frequency to a GPS receiver in order to assist the GPS receiver to acquire the signals quickly is disclosed. A temperature sensor is closely thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator in the GPS receiver and during GPS tracking mode, when the error in the oscillator signal is known with precision, outer bounds of TCXO frequency at given temperatures are maintained, which may correspond to rising and falling temperature conditions. During acquisition mode, an estimated frequency value is provided to the GPS receiver based on a determined average of these bounds. Optionally, an uncertainty factor associated with the frequency estimated may also be provided. The two bounds take into account the hysteresis effects of the oscillator signal drift due to temperature so that a more accurate initial frequency estimate can be provided to the GPS receiver, thus reducing its average time to first fix.
27 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A navigation satellite receiver, comprising:
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a crystal oscillator having an operable temperature range, the crystal oscillator adapted to generate an input clock signal having an actual frequency that drifts from a nominal frequency over the operable temperature range; a temperature sensor thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator for taking temperature measurements of the crystal oscillator; a navigation platform for receiving a plurality of signals having a known transmit frequency, the platform being capable of operating; in an acquisition mode in which the navigation platform attempts to receive, based on the input clock signal, at least one signal from at least one navigation satellite within a search window; in an operational mode, in which the navigation platform is adapted to receive, based on the input clock signal, a plurality of signals from different navigation satellites to obtain a current positional fix for the receiver; and a processor for producing first and second sets of frequency information, indicative of a discrepancy between the actual and the nominal frequency of the input clock signal, as a function of oscillator temperature measurements taken by the temperature sensor; whereby in acquisition mode, the navigation platform determines at least one parameter of the search window for a current oscillator temperature, based on the first and/or second sets of frequency information, to take into account any discrepancy between the actual frequency in relation to the nominal frequency of the input clock signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing frequency aiding information, for an input clock signal generated by a crystal oscillator having an operable temperature range and having an actual frequency that drifts from a nominal frequency across the operable temperature range, to a navigation platform in a navigation satellite receiver comprising a temperature sensor thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator for taking temperature measurements thereof, the navigation platform for receiving a plurality of signals having a known transmit frequency and being capable of operating in an acquisition mode in which the navigation platform attempts to receive, based on the input clock signal, at least one signal from at least one navigation satellite within a search window and in an operational mode, in which the navigation platform is adapted to receive, based on the input clock signal, a plurality of signals from different navigation satellites to obtain a current positional fix for the receiver;
the method comprising the acts of; a. in the operational mode; i. obtaining frequency data indicative of a discrepancy between the actual frequency and the nominal frequency of the input clock signal; ii. taking a contemporaneous temperature measurement of the crystal oscillator; and iii. associating the frequency data with the temperature measurement and updating first and/or second sets of frequency information therewith; and b. in the acquisition mode; i. taking a current temperature measurement of the crystal oscillator; and ii. determining at least one parameter of the search window for a current crystal oscillator temperature, based on the first and/or second sets of frequency information, to take into account any discrepancy between the actual frequency in relation to the nominal frequency of the input clock signal at the current oscillator temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A processor, in a navigation satellite receiver comprising:
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a crystal oscillator having an operable temperature range, the crystal oscillator adapted to generate an input clock signal having an actual frequency that drifts from a nominal frequency over the operable temperature range; a temperature sensor thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator for taking a temperature measurements of the crystal oscillator; a navigation platform for receiving a plurality of signals having a known transmit frequency, the platform being capable of operating; in an acquisition mode in which the navigation platform attempts to receive based on the input clock signal, at least one signal from at least one navigation satellite within a search window; in an operational mode, in which the navigation platform is adapted to receive, based on the input clock signal, a plurality of signals from different navigation satellites to obtain a current positional fix for the receiver; the processor for producing first and second sets of frequency information indicative of a discrepancy between the actual and the nominal frequency of the input clock signal as a function of oscillator temperature measurements taken by the temperature sensor; whereby in acquisition mode, the navigation platform determines at least one parameter of the search window for a current oscillator temperature based on the first and/or second sets of frequency information, to take into account any discrepancy between the actual frequency in relation to the nominal frequency of the input clock signal.
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24. A computer-readable medium in a processor, in a navigation satellite receiver comprising:
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a crystal oscillator having an operable temperature range, the crystal oscillator adapted to generate an input clock signal having an actual frequency that drifts from a nominal frequency over the operable temperature range; a temperature sensor thermally coupled with the crystal oscillator for taking a temperature measurements of the crystal oscillator; a navigation platform for receiving a plurality of signals having a known transmit frequency, the platform being capable of operating; in an acquisition mode in which the navigation platform attempts to receive based on the input clock signal, at least one signal from at least one navigation satellite within a search window; in an operational mode, in which the navigation platform is adapted to receive, based on the input clock signal, a plurality of signals from different navigation satellites to obtain a current positional fix for the receiver; the medium having stored thereon, computer-readable and computer-executable instruction which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform steps comprising; a. in the operational mode; i. obtaining frequency data indicative of a discrepancy between the actual frequency and the nominal frequency of the input clock signal; ii. taking a contemporaneous temperature measurement of the crystal oscillator; and iii. associating the frequency data with the temperature measurement and updating first and/or second sets of frequency information therewith; and b. in the acquisition mode; i. taking a current temperature measurement of the crystal oscillator; and ii. determining at least one parameter of the search window for a current crystal oscillator temperature based on the first and/or second sets of frequency information, to take into account any discrepancy between the actual frequency in relation to the nominal frequency of the input clock signal at the current oscillator temperature.
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Specification