Preference Lists For Assistance Data Requests in Global Navigation Satellite Systems

• US 20110140960A1
• Filed: 06/14/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Halivaara, Ismo Kullervo, Wirola, Lauri Aarne Johannes, Laine, Tommi Antero
• Granted Patent: US 8,803,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.42
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/258 relating to the satellite constellation, e.g. almanac, ephemeris data, lists of satellites in view
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0063 of measured values, i.e. measurement on base station and position calculation on mobile

Abstract

Methods and devices may request and provide assistance data from an assistance server to a receiver in a global navigation satellite system. A request for assistance data may include a preference list of navigation models suitable for the requesting receiver. Multiple preference lists for different navigation model types (e.g., orbit model, clock model, almanac model) may be included in a single list and/or data structure, or as multiple lists and/or data structures. An assistance server may receive and process the preference list, for example, by parsing and traversing the ordered list(s) for different navigation model types, in order to provide satellite navigation data to the receiver in accordance with suitable navigation models that are available at both the receiver and the assistance server.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

creating a list of preferred navigation models for a mobile receiver;

transmitting an assistance data request; and

receiving a response to said assistance data request, said response comprising assistance data associated with a satellite data signal, wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with at least one of the list of preferred navigation models.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assistance data request comprises said list of preferred navigation models.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver comprises:

identifying a plurality of navigation model types supported at the mobile receiver, wherein the plurality of navigation model types include at least one of;

orbit models,

clock models, and

almanac models;

for each of the plurality of navigation model types,

identifying one or more suitable navigation models for said navigation model type, and

determining an order for the one or more suitable navigation models for assistance data based on preferences for said navigation model type;

creating an ordered data structure comprising identifiers for each of the suitable navigation models for each navigation model type, wherein the data structure is ordered based on preferences for each of the navigation model types.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver further comprises:

determining a number of navigation model types to be included to said list of preferred navigation models;

creating a data structure comprising the same number of arrays as the determined number of navigation model types;

for each array corresponding to a navigation model type;

assigning distinct indices to each of a plurality of navigation models of the navigation model type; and

filling the array with data corresponding to the indices of the navigation models, wherein the array data is ordered based on a preference of the mobile receiver for the navigation model type.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the data structure comprises dynamically allocated arrays.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver comprises:

determining a number of navigation model types to be included to said list of preferred navigation models;

determining a number of suitable navigation models for each of said supported navigation model types;

allocating a one dimensional array of sufficient length for each of the suitable navigation models for each navigation model type;

filling the array with data identifying the suitable navigation models, wherein the array is ordered based on navigation model preferences of the mobile receiver.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising transmitting an identifier corresponding to a satellite data signal to an assistance server.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said satellite data signal is associated with one of global navigation satellite systems comprising at least the Global Positioning System, the Global Navigation Satellite system and the European Galileo positioning system.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver is repeated for each global navigation satellite system for which assistance data is requested.

10. A method comprising:

receiving at an assistance server satellite navigation data corresponding to at least one satellite in a global navigation satellite system;

receiving an assistance data request from a receiver;

identifying at least one list of preferred navigation models for the receiver;

receiving from the receiver an identifier corresponding to a satellite data signal;

determining that said satellite data signal is one of the plurality of satellite data signals received at the assistance server;

selecting a navigation model based on the received list of preferred navigation models for the receiver, and based on supported capabilities at the assistance server; and

transmitting a response to said assistance data request, said response comprising assistance data associated with said satellite data signal, wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the selected navigation model.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one list of preferred navigation models for the receiver is identified from said assistance data request.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said satellite data signal is associated with one of global navigation satellite systems comprising at least the Global Positioning System, the Global Navigation Satellite system and the European Galileo positioning system.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a plurality of lists of preferred navigation models for the receiver;

selecting a navigation model based on the received plurality of lists of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver, and based on supported capabilities at the assistance server, said selecting comprising;

determining a navigation model type for a first list in the plurality of lists, wherein the navigation model type is one of;

an orbit model,

a clock model, and

an almanac model

traversing the first list in order to find a first navigation model of the navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server;

wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the first navigation model.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said selecting comprises:

traversing the list of preferred navigation models for the receiver in order;

identifying a first preferred navigation model of a first navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server;

identifying a second preferred navigation model of a second navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server, wherein the first navigation model type and the second navigation model type each comprise one of;

an orbit model,

a clock model, and

an almanac model;

and wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the first preferred navigation model and the second preferred navigation model.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a processor for executing computer executable instructions;

memory that stores the computer executable instructions;

a receiver for receiving a satellite signal;

wherein the computer executable instructions cause the apparatus to;

create a list of preferred navigation models for the apparatus;

transmit an assistance data request;

receive a response to said assistance data request, said response comprising assistance data associated with a satellite signal, wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with at least one of the list of preferred navigation models.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said assistance data request comprises said list of preferred navigation models.

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the apparatus comprises:

identifying a plurality of navigation model types supported at the apparatus, wherein the plurality of navigation model types include at least one of;

orbit models,

clock models, and

almanac models,

for each of the plurality of navigation model types,

identifying one or more suitable navigation models for said navigation model type, and

determining an order for the one or more suitable navigation models for assistance data based on preferences for said navigation model type;

creating an ordered data structure comprising identifiers for each of the suitable navigation models for each navigation model type, wherein the data structure is ordered based on preferences for each of the navigation model types.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the apparatus comprises:

determining a number of navigation model types to be included to said list of preferred navigation models;

creating a data structure comprising the same number of arrays as the determined number of navigation model types;

for each array corresponding to a navigation model type;

assigning distinct indices to each of a plurality of navigation models of the navigation model type; and

filling the array with data corresponding to the indices of the navigation models, wherein the array data is ordered based on a preference of the apparatus for the navigation model type.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein creating the data structure further comprises dynamically allocating each of the arrays.

20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the apparatus comprises:

determining a number of navigation model types to be included to said list of preferred navigation models;

determining a number of suitable navigation models for each of said supported navigation model types;

allocating a one dimensional array of sufficient length for each of the suitable navigation models for each navigation model type; and

filling the array with data identifying the suitable navigation models, wherein the array is ordered based on navigation model preferences of the apparatus.

21. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is a global navigation satellite system receiving device.

22. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus is a mobile communication device.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a processor for executing computer executable instructions;

memory that stores the computer executable instructions;

means for receiving satellite navigation data;

wherein the computer executable instructions cause the apparatus to;

receive satellite navigation data corresponding to at least one satellite in a global navigation satellite system;

receive an assistance data request from a receiver;

identify at least one list of preferred navigation models for the receiver;

receive from the receiver an identifier corresponding to a satellite data signal;

determine that said satellite data signal is one of the plurality of satellite data signals received at the apparatus;

select a navigation model based on the received list of preferred navigation models for the receiver, and based on supported capabilities at the apparatus; and

transmit a response to said assistance data request, said response comprising assistance data associated with said satellite data signal, wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the selected navigation model.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the computer executable instructions further cause the apparatus to:

receive from a mobile receiver a plurality of lists of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver;

select a navigation model based on the received plurality of lists of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver, and based on supported capabilities at the apparatus, said selecting comprising;

determining a navigation model type for a first list in the plurality of lists, wherein the navigation model type is one of;

an orbit model,

a clock model, and

an almanac model,

traversing the first list in order to find a first navigation model of the navigation model type that is supported by the apparatus;

wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the first navigation model.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said selecting comprises:

traversing the list of preferred navigation models for the receiver in order;

identifying a first preferred navigation model of a first navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server;

identifying a second preferred navigation model of a second navigation model type that is supported by the apparatus, wherein the first navigation model type and the second navigation model type each comprise one of;

an orbit model,

a clock model, and

an almanac model;

and wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the first preferred navigation model and the second preferred navigation model.

26. The apparatus according to any of claim 23, wherein the apparatus is a global navigation satellite system assistance server.

27. A computer-readable medium that contains computer readable instructions that cause a device to perform at least the following:

creating a list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver;

transmitting an assistance data request; and

receiving a response to said assistance data request, said response comprising assistance data associated with a satellite data signal, wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with at least one of the list of preferred navigation models.

28. The computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein creating the list comprises:

identifying a plurality of navigation model types supported at the mobile receiver, wherein the plurality of navigation model types include at least one of;

orbit models,

clock models, and

almanac models;

for each of the plurality of navigation model types,

identifying one or more suitable navigation models for said navigation model type, and

determining an order for the one or more suitable navigation models for assistance data based on preferences for said navigation model type;

creating an ordered data structure comprising identifiers for each of the suitable navigation models for each navigation model type, wherein the data structure is ordered based on preferences for each of the navigation model types.

29. The computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver comprises:

determining a number of navigation model types to be included to said list of preferred navigation models;

creating a data structure comprising the same number of arrays as the determined number of navigation model types;

for each array corresponding to a navigation model type;

assigning distinct indices to each of a plurality of navigation models of the navigation model type; and

filling the array with data corresponding to the indices of the navigation models, wherein the array data is ordered based on a preference of the mobile receiver for the navigation model type.

30. The computer-readable medium according to claim 27, wherein creating the list of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver comprises:

determining a number of navigation model types to be included to said list of preferred navigation models;

determining a number of suitable navigation models for each of said supported navigation model types;

allocating a one dimensional array of sufficient length for each of the suitable navigation models for each navigation model type;

filling the array with data identifying the suitable navigation models, wherein the array ordered based on navigation model preferences of the mobile receiver.

31. A computer-readable medium that contains computer readable instructions that cause a device to perform at least the following:

receiving at an assistance server satellite navigation data corresponding to at least one satellite in a global navigation satellite system;

receiving an assistance data request from a receiver;

identifying at least one list of preferred navigation models for the receiver;

receiving from the receiver an identifier corresponding to a satellite data signal;

determining that said satellite data signal is one of the plurality of satellite data signals received at the assistance server;

selecting a navigation model based on the received list of preferred navigation models for the receiver, and based on supported capabilities at the assistance server; and

transmitting a response to said assistance data request, said response comprising assistance data associated with said satellite data signal, wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the selected navigation model.

32. The computer-readable medium according to claim 31 further comprising,

receiving a plurality of lists of preferred navigation models for the receiver;

selecting a navigation model based on the received plurality of lists of preferred navigation models for the mobile receiver, and based on supported capabilities at the assistance server, said selecting comprising;

determining a navigation model type for a first list in the plurality of lists, wherein the navigation model type is one of;

an orbit model,

a clock model, and

an almanac model

traversing the first list in order to find a first navigation model of the navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server;

wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the first navigation model.

33. The computer-readable medium according to claim 31, wherein said selecting comprises:

traversing the list of preferred navigation models for the receiver in order;

identifying a first preferred navigation model of a first navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server;

identifying a second preferred navigation model of a second navigation model type that is supported by the assistance server, wherein the first navigation model type and the second navigation model type each comprise one of;

an orbit model,

a clock model, and

an almanac model;

and wherein said assistance data is formatted in accordance with the first preferred navigation model and the second preferred navigation model.