Split PPS/SPS architecture for military aircraft flying in civilian airspace

• US 6,577,951 B1
• Filed: 09/18/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Ross, Richard J., Johnson, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US09/664,259
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/207, 701/219, 701/120, 701/122, 342/36, 342/357.1, 342/457, 342/37, 342/32, 342/26, 342/29, 455/456
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/15 Aircraft landing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/18 Military applications

Abstract

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a navigation system suitable for use in civilian airspace includes a first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver in a first line replaceable unit (LRU). A second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver in either the same line replaceable unit (LRU) or in a second line replaceable unit (LRU) is also included. The second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver is suitable for at least one of certification, upgrade and replacement independent of the first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

Claims

1. A navigation system suitable for use in civilian airspace, comprising:

a line replaceable unit (LRU), including

a first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and

a second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver;

wherein the second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver is suitable for at least one of certification, upgrade and replacement independent of the first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS).

2. The navigation system as described in claim 1, wherein certification includes certification by civil aviation authorities (CAA) for compliance with requirement for flight in civilian airspace.

3. The navigation system as described in claim 2, wherein the certification includes compliance with Global Air Traffic Management (GATM).

4. The navigation system as described in claim 1, wherein the first precise positioning service (PPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver includes at least one of an embedded GPS/Inertial (EGI) navigation unit and a miniature airborne GPS receiver (MAGR).

5. The navigation system as described in claim 1, wherein the second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver includes at least one of a global navigation and landing unit (GNLU) using a coarse acquisition (C/A) GPS receiver and a multi mode receiver (MMR) with coarse acquisition (C/A).

6. The navigation system as described in claim 1, wherein the second standard positioning service (SPS) global positioning system (GPS) receiver is certified for compliance with a corresponding technical standard order (TSO).

7. The navigation system as described in claim 1, wherein the line replaceable unit (LRI) is certified for compliance with a corresponding technical standard order (TSO).