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Method and system for determining a position of a transceiver unit utilizing two-way ranging in a polystatic satellite configuration

  • US 6,377,208 B2
  • Filed: 02/21/1997
  • Issued: 04/23/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for determining a position of an object utilizing two-way ranging among a plurality of satellites at known locations in communication with a satellite ground station, the method comprising:

  • transmitting a first ranging signal from a first satellite in a first orbit at a first known location to the object as directed by the satellite ground station;

    transmitting a second ranging signal from the object to the first satellite in response to the first ranging signal for receipt by the satellite ground station;

    transmitting a third ranging signal from a second satellite in a second orbit at a second known location to the object as directed by the satellite ground station;

    transmitting a fourth ranging signal from the object to the first satellite in response to the third ranging signal for receipt by the satellite ground station;

    transmitting a fifth ranging signal from a third satellite at a third known location different from the first and second known locations to the object as directed by the satellite ground station;

    transmitting a sixth ranging signal from the object to the first satellite in response to the fifth ranging signal for receipt by the satellite ground station;

    determining a first delay corresponding to a time difference between transmission of the first ranging signal and receipt of the second ranging signal;

    determining a second delay corresponding to a time difference between transmission of the third ranging signal and receipt of the fourth ranging signal;

    determining a third delay corresponding to the time difference between transmission of the fifth ranging signal and receipt of the sixth ranging signal; and

    determining the position of the object based on the first, second, and third known locations of the first, second, and third satellites, respectively, and the first, second, and third delays.

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