Method and apparatus for locating mobile receivers using a wide area reference network for propagating ephemeris

• US 6,704,651 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Global Locate Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: van Diggelen, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US09/989,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/213-215, 342/357.09, 342/357.12, 342/357.15, 342/357.02, 342/357.03, 342/357.1
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/06 employing an initial estimate of the location of the receiver as aiding data or in generating aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/258 relating to the satellite constellation, e.g. almanac, ephemeris data, lists of satellites in view
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/28 Satellite selection

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distribution and delivery of global positioning system (GPS) satellite telemetry data using a communication link between a central site and a mobile GPS receiver. The central site is coupled to a network of reference satellite receivers that send telemetry data from all satellites to the central site. The mobile GPS receiver uses the delivered telemetry data to aid its acquisition of the GPS satellite signal. The availability of the satellite telemetry data enhances the mobile receiver'"'"'s signal reception sensitivity.

Claims

1. A method of receiving global positioning system (GPS) satellite signals comprising:

receiving satellite ephemeris at a first location;

communication the satellite ephemeris to a mobile GPS receiver at a second location; and

processing satellite signals received at the mobile GPS receiver using the ephemeris to reduce code and frequency uncertainty in the mobile GPS receiver to improve acquisition sensitivity of the mobile GPS receiver.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said communicating step is performed through a wireless path.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a pseudo-range model from said satellite ephemeris and communicating the pseudo-range model to the mobile receiver.