Method and apparatus for detecting spread spectrum signals using a signal from a secondary source
First Claim
1. A GPS receiver unit for detecting a GPS spread spectrum signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, the GPS receiver unit comprising:
- a non-GPS satellite receiver for receiving a non-GPS satellite signal transmitted by a non-GPS satellite, wherein the non-GPS satellite signal enables determination of a timing reference and a frequency reference;
a GPS spread spectrum receiver detects the GPS spread spectrum signal from a GPS satellite; and
the GPS spread spectrum receiver, coupled to the non-GPS satellite receiver, for using the timing reference and the frequency reference received by the non-GPS satellite receiver to detect the GPS spread spectrum signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting and tracking spread spectrum signals, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, first obtain precision timing and frequency reference information from a relatively high-power, secondary signal, such as that emanating from a satellite of a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications system, and then use such reference information to perform narrow-band detection of the GPS spread spectrum signal. Accordingly, spread spectrum signals are more efficiently detected and tracked, particularly in environments where they are attenuated by obstacles such as buildings or environmental barriers.
137 Citations
2 Claims
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1. A GPS receiver unit for detecting a GPS spread spectrum signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, the GPS receiver unit comprising:
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a non-GPS satellite receiver for receiving a non-GPS satellite signal transmitted by a non-GPS satellite, wherein the non-GPS satellite signal enables determination of a timing reference and a frequency reference;
a GPS spread spectrum receiver detects the GPS spread spectrum signal from a GPS satellite; and
the GPS spread spectrum receiver, coupled to the non-GPS satellite receiver, for using the timing reference and the frequency reference received by the non-GPS satellite receiver to detect the GPS spread spectrum signal. - View Dependent Claims (2)
a frequency downconverter, coupled to the non-GPS satellite receiver and the GPS spread spectrum receiver, for downconverting the non-GPS satellite signal and the GPS spread spectrum signal; and
an antenna, coupled to the frequency downconverter, for receiving the non-GPS satellite signal and the GPS spread spectrum signal.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeCDC Propriete Intellectuelle
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Original AssigneeMotorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
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InventorsDurboraw, Isaac Newton III, Leopold, Raymond Joseph
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Primary Examiner(s)Pham, Chi H.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Bayard, Emmanuel
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Application NumberUS09/078,802Time in Patent Office985 DaysField of Search375/130, 375/134, 375/136, 375/349, 375/137, 375/139, 375/140, 375/147, 375/347, 370/320, 370/335, 370/342, 370/441, 370/479, 370/337, 370/344, 370/347, 370/442, 455/130, 701/213, 701/215, 342/356, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.02, 342/357.12, 342/357.16US Class Current375/136CPC Class CodesG01S 19/235 Calibration of receiver com...G01S 19/256 relating to timing, e.g. ti...
