Multiple-accuracy GPS system

• US 5,510,798 A
• Filed: 04/02/1993
• Issued: 04/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William D. Bauer
• Original Assignee: William D. Bauer
• Inventors: Bauer, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US08/042,471
• Time in Patent Office: 1,117 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357
• US Class Current: 342/357.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/071 DGPS corrections

Abstract

A GPS system for both generating and receiving multiple differential corrections from a single broadcast transmission may involve FM subcarrier modulations at any carrier frequency or subcarrier offset to provide multiple differential correction signals having varying accuracy. Signals may be encrypted and enabled through a controllable address signal to be provided on a subscription basis. Subcarrier transmissions are provided for in overlapping manner for redundancy and with either separate or interleaved differential signals so as to be able to both broadcast differential corrections and informational signals using existing equipment and FM stations at any available offset with both uplink and downlink capabilities. Similarly at least one FM receiver component is included within a traditional GPS receiver to simultaneously receive, scan, locate, and compare differential signals for more accurate determination of location in a reliable and optimum manner and at differing locations.

Claims

1. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals comprising the steps of:

a. receiving said GPS signals at a known location;

b. calculating a GPS signal-indicated location from said signals;

c. comparing said GPS signal-indicated location with said known location;

d. creating a first composite differential correction set indicative of a first correction with respect to said GPS signals in response to said step of comparing;

e. creating at least a second composite differential correction set in response to said step of comparing wherein said second composite differential correction set is independent from said first composite differential correction set, wherein said second differential correction set is indicative of a second correction with respect to said GPS signals, and wherein said second correction is different from said first correction;

f. disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast;

g. receiving at least one of said differential correction sets at an unknown location;

h. receiving said GPS signals at said unknown location; and

i. utilizing said differential correction set and said GPS signals to determine the location of said unknown location.

2. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 1 wherein said independent differential correction sets have varying accuracy.

3. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 2 wherein said step of disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast comprises the step of disseminating said independent differential correction sets in one broadcast.

4. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 2 wherein said step of disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast comprises the step of transmitting said independent differential correction sets on a subcarrier broadcast.

5. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 4 wherein said electromagnetic broadcast is broadcast at a predominant frequency of between about 88 and 108 MHz.

6. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 4 wherein said step of transmitting said independent differential correction sets on a subcarrier broadcast comprises the step of transmitting more than one adjacent subcarrier broadcast.

7. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 4 or 6 wherein said step of transmitting said independent differential correction sets on a subcarrier broadcast comprises at least one subcarrier transmission having a transmission rate of at least 600 bits per second.

8. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 4 wherein said step of disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast comprises the step of interleaving more than one signal in said electromagnetic broadcast.

9. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 3, 4, or 5 and further comprising the step of transmitting an information signal as part of said electromagnetic braodcast.

10. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 9 wherein said information signal is addressed to an individual receiver.

11. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 10 wherein said information signal enables receipt of at least one of said independent differential correction sets by said receiver.

12. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 3, 4, or 5 wherein said step of receiving at least one of said independent differential correction sets at an unknown location is accomplished by an individual receiver and further comprising the step of transmitting an information signal addressed to said individual receiver.

13. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 12 wherein said information signal enables receipt of at least one of said independent differential correction sets by said receiver.

14. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 1, 2, or 5 wherein said step of disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast comprises the step of encrypting at least some of said independent differential correction sets.

15. A method of accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 12 or 13 wherein said step of disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast comprises the step of encrypting at least some of said independent differential correction sets.

16. A method of generating differential corrections for use with Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals comprising the steps of:

a. receiving said GPS signals at a known location;

b. calculating a GPS signal-indicated location from said signals;

c. comparing said GPS signal-indicated location with said known location;

d. creating a first composite differential correction set with respect to said GPS signals in response to said step of comparing;

e. creating at least a second composite differential correction set in response to said step of comparing wherein said second composite differential correction set is independent from said first composite differential correction set, wherein said second differential correction set is indicative of a second correction with respect to said GPS signals, and wherein said second correction is different from said first correction; and

f. disseminating said independent differential correction sets by transmission through electromagnetic broadcast.

17. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals comprising:

a. a first receiver situated at a known location and responsive to said GPS signals;

b. a first processor responsive to said first receiver;

c. a comparison means responsive to said first processor which creates a comparative representation based upon said GPS signals and data representative of said known location;

d. a signal generator responsive to said comparative representation which creates a first composite differential correction set indicative of a first correction;

e. a signal generator responsive to said comparative representation which creates at least a second composite differential correction set, wherein said second composite differential correction set is independent from said first composite differential correction set, wherein said second differential correction set is indicative of a second correction, and wherein said second correction is different from said first correction;

f. an electromagnetic broadcast transmitter responsive to said first independent differential correction set;

g. an electromagnetic broadcast transmitter responsive to said at least second independent differential correction set;

h. a second receiver responsive to said GPS signals;

i. a differential correction receiver responsive to at least one of said electromagnetic broadcasts; and

j. a second processor responsive to both said differential correction receiver and said second receiver and capable of determining the location of said second receiver.

18. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 17 wherein said signal generator creates independent differential correction sets which have varying degrees of accuracy.

19. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 18 wherein said electromagnetic broadcast transmitter comprises a subcarrier generator.

20. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Postion System (GPS) signals as described in claim 19 wherein said electromagnetic broadcast transmitter creates a signal which is broadcast at a predominant frequency of between about 88 and 108 MHz.

21. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 19 wherein said subcarrier generator creates adjacent multichannel subcarrier transmissions.

22. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 19 or 21 wherein said signal generator creates a signal of more than 600 bits per second.

23. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 19 and further comprising a combiner responsive to said independent differential correction sets.

24. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 19 or 20 and further comprising an information signal generator and wherein said subcarrier generator is responsive to said information signal generator.

25. A system for accurately determining position using Navastar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 24 and further comprising a controllable address generator and wherein said subcarrier generator is responsive to said controllable address generator.

26. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 25 and further comprising an enablement means responsive to said electromagnetic broadcast transmitter.

27. A system for accurately determining position using Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals as described in claim 17, 18, or 20 and further comprising an encryption means connected so as to affect at least one of said independem differential correction sets.

28. A differential correction generator for use with Navstar Global Position System (GPS) signals comprising:

a. a receiver situated at a known location and responsive to said GPS signals;

b. a processor responsive to said receiver;

c. a comparison means responsive to said processor, which creates a comparative representation, and having available to it data representative of said known location;

d. a signal generator responsive to said comparative representation which creates a first composite differential correction set indicative of a first correction;

e. a signal generator responsive to said comparative representation which creates at least a second composite differential correction set, wherein said second composite differential correction set is independent from said first composite differential correction set, wherein said second differential correction set is indicative of a second correction, and wherein said second correction is different from said first correction;

f. an electromagnetic broadcast transmitter responsive to said first independent differential correction set; and

g. an electromagnetic broadcast transmitter responsive to said at least second independent differential correction set.