GPS navigational system and associated process for space applications
First Claim
1. A GPS navigational system for a satellite having an on-board computer for controlling operation of the satellite, the system comprising a front end section having an input for receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, a digital preprocessor device connected to said front end section for digital reprocessing of the GPS signals received from the front end section, a signal processor connected to said digital preprocessor device for decoding the GPS signals to determine a position of the satellite, a first data bus line connecting said digital preprocessing device and said signal processor for bi-directional data exchange therebetween, and a second data bus line connecting said signal processor and said on-board computer for bi-directional data exchange therebetween such that at least a portion of the operation of determining the position of the satellite by the GPS navigational system is carried out by the on-board computer and data in a data bank in said on-board computer related to satellite propulsion is directed from the on-board computer to said signal processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides GPS navigational system for a satellite in space which comprises a front end section having an input for receiving GPS signals from a plurality of satellites, a digital preprocessor connected to the front end section for digitally preprocessing the GPS signals received from the front end section, and a signal processor connected to the digital preprocessor for decoding the GPS signals to determine a position of the satellite. An on-board computer is provided and a first data bus line connects the data processor and the signal processor for bi-directional data exchange therebetween and a second data bus line connects the signal processor and the on-board computer for bi-directional data exchange therebetween.
30 Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A GPS navigational system for a satellite having an on-board computer for controlling operation of the satellite, the system comprising a front end section having an input for receiving GPS signals from a plurality of GPS satellites, a digital preprocessor device connected to said front end section for digital reprocessing of the GPS signals received from the front end section, a signal processor connected to said digital preprocessor device for decoding the GPS signals to determine a position of the satellite, a first data bus line connecting said digital preprocessing device and said signal processor for bi-directional data exchange therebetween, and a second data bus line connecting said signal processor and said on-board computer for bi-directional data exchange therebetween such that at least a portion of the operation of determining the position of the satellite by the GPS navigational system is carried out by the on-board computer and data in a data bank in said on-board computer related to satellite propulsion is directed from the on-board computer to said signal processor.
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8. A process for operating a navigational system of a satellite in space based on signals from satellites of a GPS system, said process comprising:
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receiving data signals from satellites of a GPS system and transmitting the signals to a front end section of a navigational system on a satellite in space, digitally preprocessing the signals received by the front end section in a digital preprocessor, decoding in a signal processor the signals which have been preprocessed in the digital preprocessor, connecting the digital preprocessor and the signal processor for bi-directional data exchange therebetween, connecting the signal processor and an on-board computer on the satellite, which controls operation thereof, for bi-directional data exchange therebetween, transmitting specific data related to propulsion means for driving the satellite from a data bank in said on-board computer to said signal processor, and determining a position of the satellite in space by said navigation system in combination with said on-board computer and based on data exchange therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification