LEO-based positioning system for indoor and stand-alone navigation

• US 7,489,926 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Whelan, David A., Ferrell, Barton G., Cohen, Clark E., Gutt, Greg M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; John J
• Application Number:
  US10/879,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,687 Days
• Field of Search: 455/421, 455/12.1, 455/427, 455/429, 455/430, 455/431, 455/13.2, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/456.6, 455/3, 455/6, 455/67.11, 455/3.02, 342/357.06, 342/357.16, 342/357.12, 342/352, 342/357.08, 342/359, 34235702-35703, 342/358
• US Class Current: 455/427
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/26 involving a sensor measurement for aiding acquisition or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/423 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from different satellite radio beacon positioning systems

Abstract

A method for estimating a precise position of a user device from signals from a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes receiving at least one carrier signal at a user device, each carrier signal being transmitted a distinct LEO satellite. The user device processes the carrier signals to obtain a first carrier phase information. The user device recalls an inertial position fix derived at an inertial reference unit. The user device derives a position of the user device based on the inertial position fix and the first carrier phase information.

Claims

1. A method for estimating a precise position of a user device from signals from a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, the method comprising:

receiving at least one carrier signal at a user device, the user device including an inertial reference unit;

deriving an inertial position fix from the inertial reference unit;

processing the carrier signals to obtain a first carrier phase information;

recalling an inertial position fix derived at the inertial reference unit; and

deriving a position of the user device based on the inertial position fix and the first carrier phase information, wherein deriving a position of the user device further includes;

processing the carrier signals received at a reference station to obtain a second reference carrier phase information, the signals received at the user device and the signals received at the reference station passing through substantially the same slice of atmosphere containing the same obstructions;

calculating a differential reference measurement based upon the signals received at the user device and the signals received at the reference station;

transmitting a data message from the reference station to the user receiver, the data message including the differential reference measurement; and

refining the position of the user device is further based upon the second reference carrier phase information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deriving a position of the user device further includes refining first carrier phase information to resolve integer cycle ambiguities based upon the inertial position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device and the reference station are separated by fewer than one thousand kilometers.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

estimating an approximate user position and clock offset using code phase signals received from a set of navigational satellites.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the inertial position fix is refined based upon the user position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the inertial position fix is refined upon the position of the user device.