Passive three dimensional track of non-cooperative targets through opportunistic use of global positioning system (GPS) and GLONASS signals

• US 6,232,922 B1
• Filed: 05/12/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Herb Fluhler
• Original Assignee: John C. Mcintosh
• Inventors: McIntosh, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, DAO LINDA
• Application Number:
  US09/310,808
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.06, 342/451, 342/453, 455/65
• US Class Current: 342/453
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/586 using, or combined with, frequency tracking means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/9058 Bistatic or multistatic SAR
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/39 the satellite radio beacon positioning system transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/02 using radio waves

Abstract

A method and apparatus for utilization of GPS, GLONASS or other existing RF signals is disclosed. These existing RF signals are scattered by targets, with a receiver of these scattered signals providing processing to extract three dimensional track of these objects. Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) information of a received signal may be used, but is not required. Modifications of standard GPS signal processing allows observables such as range-sum, range-difference, and bistatic Doppler frequency to be observed. These observables, when coupled with standard bistatic/multistatic location equations, provide unambiguous and even redundant information on target coordinates. The method/device employs a modified code (range)/carrier(Doppler) search routine for initial target search/acquisition, wherein a direct path signal is used as a reference from which chip delay and Doppler shift excursions are examined. In this manner, the range and Doppler components observed will correspond to [range-sum−direct path] range, and true bistatic target Doppler irrespective of the satellite or receiver induced Doppler shifts.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing RF location signals broadcast over a wide area by at least one remote transmitter, with a receiver of said RF location signals disposed for discriminating between direct path said RF location signals and reflected said RF location signals in order to develop data relating to at least one reflective source of said reflected RF location signals, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving said RF location signals from said remote transmitter,

b) extracting from said RF location signals direct range data representative of a direct RF signal path between said remote transmitter and said receiver,

c) from said RF location signals, developing target range data representative of an RF signal path from said remote transmitter to said reflective source and then to said receiver,

d) comparing said direct range data and said target data to develop relational data indicative of at least one selected relationship between said receiver and said reflective source.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of extracting said direct range data further comprises the steps of:

a) extracting carrier frequency data and pseudorange data from said RF location signals,

b) developing a replica of data used to develop said pseudorange data and said carrier frequency data,

c) comparing said replica of data to said target range data to develop said relational data.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of developing a replica of data further comprises steps of:

a) developing a replica of said RF location signals received by said receiver directly from said transmitter,

b) superimposing said replica over said received location signals,

c) shifting said replica in time increments until said replica matches those said location signals reflected from a target,

d) counting said time increments to determine length of a signal path between said target and said receiver.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein speed of said reflective source is determined by steps comprising:

a) developing a replica of said direct range data,

b) superimposing said replica over said direct range data,

c) shifting frequency of said replica in discrete frequency increments until a frequency of said replica generally matches frequency of said direct range data,

d) counting a number of said discrete frequency increments to determine speed of said target relative to said receiver.

5. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of comparing said replica of data to said target data includes steps comprising:

a) correlating a plurality of increments of said direct range data with a like plurality of increments of said target range data to develop a plurality of correlations,

b) integrating said plurality of correlations,

c) storing a result of said step of integrating.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said step of correlating further includes the step of utilizing an acousto-optic correlater to perform said step of correlating.

7. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of developing a replica of said RF location signals includes steps comprising:

a) utilizing a location code generator to generate said replica of said location code,

b) utilizing a first counter wherein each count thereof incrementally shifts said replica in timewise relation with said received signal,

c) utilizing a second counter wherein each count thereof incrementally shifts said replica in frequency relation with said received signal.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of storing said relational data in a matrix of memory locations wherein position of said relational data in said matrix is indicative of speed of said reflective source relative to said receiver and distance of said reflective source from said receiver.

9. A method as set forth in claim 7 further comprising the step of storing said relational data in a matrix of memory locations wherein position of said relational data in said matrix is indicative of speed of said reflective source relative to said receiver and distance of said reflective source from said receiver, with each count of said first counter associated with a respective said memory location positioned in a time delayed relationship with respect to said direct path RF location signals, and each count of said second counter associated with a respective said memory location positioned in a frequency shifted relationship with respect to said direct path RF location signals.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiver is located on an aircraft.

11. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiver is located on a missile.