Method for extending GPS to underwater applications
First Claim
1. In combination with a Global Positioning System network of navigation satellites which emit worldwide radio frequency navigation signals, an underwater navigation process comprising the steps of:
- using a plurality of transducer buoys so that each of them receives said worldwide radio frequency navigation signals from said Global Positioning System network of satellites to determine their position and emit acoustic underwater data messages which contains this position; and
having an underwater vehicle receive said acoustic underwater data messages from said plurality of transducer buoys so that they can determine their underwater position therefrom.
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Abstract
A system that extends the use of a navigation system which uses radio waves to a an environment which is otherwise inaccessible to radio-based position, location, or navigation services. This system provides beacons which dynamically determine their positions and broadcast data to any number of underwater users. By receiving and processing the beacon data or the signal upon which it is modulated, the user dynamically determines its own position within a geodetically-based time-space coordinate system. Extending externally-generated navigation information to an underwater user need not be limited to the Global Positioning System or its signal structure. Underwater extensions of LORAN, Omega, and other navigation services are also amenable to the technique.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. In combination with a Global Positioning System network of navigation satellites which emit worldwide radio frequency navigation signals, an underwater navigation process comprising the steps of:
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using a plurality of transducer buoys so that each of them receives said worldwide radio frequency navigation signals from said Global Positioning System network of satellites to determine their position and emit acoustic underwater data messages which contains this position; and having an underwater vehicle receive said acoustic underwater data messages from said plurality of transducer buoys so that they can determine their underwater position therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20)
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9. An underwater navigation system which allows an underwater vehicle to receive a plurality of acoustic underwater data messages from a plurality of point sources such that each of the acoustic underwater data messages contains information that identifies the point source'"'"'s origin in latitude, longitude, and altitude, said underwater navigation system comprising:
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a network of Global Positioning System satellites which emit radio frequency navigation signals; a plurality of transducer buoys which each receive said worldwide radio frequency navigation signals from said Global Positioning System network of satellites to determine their position and emit said acoustic underwater data messages which contains this position; and an underwater receiver system which is fixed within said underwater vehicle and which receives and uses said acoustic underwater data to determine said underwater vehicle'"'"'s location therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22)
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Specification