Data server used in a system for supplying augmentation data for the satellite navigation signals

• US 7,647,173 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2004
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Charlot, Bernard, Dunas, Etienne
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Peter D
• Application Number:
  US10/563,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,024 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/214, 701/215, 342/352, 342/353, 342/355, 34235701-35717, 342/358, 340/947, 340/948, 340/979, 340/97
• US Class Current: 701/214
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/074 providing integrity data, e.g. WAAS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/08 providing integrity information, e.g. health of satellites or quality of ephemeris data

Abstract

The invention relates to a data server (40) used in a system (10) for supplying complementary data, so-called augmentation data, for satellite navigation signals. The inventive server (40) is especially adapted to be used with elements that are compatible with those used in EGNOS technology (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service). Said system (10) for supplying augmentation data for the satellite navigation signals comprises at least one calculator (20) for the determination of said augmentation data, said augmentation data being determined from data transmitted by at least one receiving station (S01. . . SON) receiving navigation information sent by means of at least one satellite. Said server (40) comprises a first inlet (401) for receiving the augmentation data transmitted by the calculator (20), a first outlet (402) for transmitting the augmentation data towards at least one user (U01. . . UOK), and a second outlet (403) for re-emitting the augmentation data towards the calculator (20) with a delay that is pre-determined in relation to the reception at the first inlet (401).

Claims

1. A data server used in a system for supplying complementary augmentation data for satellite navigation user signals, said system including at least one computer for determining said augmentation data, which is determined from data transmitted by at least one receiver station receiving navigation information sent by at least one satellite, said server comprising:

a first input for receiving said augmentation data transmitted by said computer;

a first output for sending said augmentation data to at least one user; and

a second output for retransmitting said augmentation data to said computer with a predetermined time-delay relative to reception at said first input wherein said predetermined time-delay simulates a transmission delay as would be caused by a geostationary satellite.

2. A server according to claim 1, comprising a third output for retransmitting at least part of said augmentation data to said computer at the same time as sending said augmentation data to the user via said first output.

3. A server according to claim 1, comprising a second input for receiving information data coming from the at least one user.

4. A server according to claim 3, wherein said server is adapted to particularize said augmentation data sent via said first output as a function of said information data.

5. A server according to claim 1, wherein said server is assigned an available geostationary satellite identification number.

6. A server according to claim 1, wherein said server is assigned a virtual receiver station number.

7. A server according to claim 1, wherein said augmentation data is determined from data transmitted by a plurality of receiver stations, said server comprising a third input for receiving data transmitted by one of said receiver stations.

8. A system for supplying complementary augmentation data for satellite navigation user signals, said system comprising:

at least one computer for determining said augmentation data from data transmitted by at least one receiver station receiving navigation information sent by at least one satellite, and

at least one data server comprising;

a first input for receiving said augmentation data transmitted by said at least one computer;

a first output for sending said augmentation data to at least one user; and

a second output for retransmitting said augmentation data to said at least one computer with a predetermined time-delay relative to reception at said first input wherein said predetermined time-delay simulates a transmission delay as would be caused by a geostationary satellite.

9. A system according to claim 8, comprising a plurality of computers for determining said augmentation data;

wherein said augmentation data server is adapted to select a computer from said plurality of computers;

wherein said second output retransmits said augmentation data received from said selected computer to said plurality of computers with a predetermined time-delay relative to the reception of said augmentation data.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said augmentation data retransmitted to said plurality of computers includes an identifier of said selected computer.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein said selection is repeated cyclically on each reception of said augmentation data by said server.

12. A system according to claim 8, comprising at least one active first augmentation data server and one redundant second augmentation data server;

wherein said computer transmits said augmentation data to said first input of said active server, and does not transmit said augmentation data to said first input of said redundant server; and

wherein said computer is adapted to invert the roles of said first and second servers, said second server becoming the active server and said first server becoming the redundant server.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said computer is adapted to invert the roles of said first and second servers cyclically on each sending of said augmentation data.

14. A system according to claim 8, comprising a broadcaster connected to said first output of said server to broadcast said augmentation data to the users.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein said broadcaster is the internet.

16. A system according to claim 8, comprising a router-broadcaster, said augmentation data being determined from data transmitted by a plurality of receiver stations and then routed and broadcast to said computer by said router-broadcaster, said augmentation data retransmitted by said server being also routed and broadcast to said computer by said router-broadcaster.

17. A system according to claim 8, comprising a plurality of augmentation data servers.

18. A system for supplying complementary augmentation data for satellite navigation user signals, said system comprising:

at least one computer for determining said augmentation data from data transmitted by at least one receiver station receiving navigation information sent by at least one satellite, and

at least one data server comprising;

a first input for receiving said augmentation data transmitted by said at least one computer;

a third input for receiving data transmitted by one of said at least one receiver station;

a first output for sending said augmentation data to at least one user; and

a second output for retransmitting said augmentation data to said at least one computer with a predetermined time-delay relative to reception at said first input, wherein said predetermined time-delay simulates a transmission delay as would be caused by a geostationary satellite, wherein said second output retransmits said augmentation data using a receiver station number corresponding to the one of said at least one receiver station.