Time transfer utilizing ultra wideband signals
First Claim
1. A method utilizing a first transceiver and a second transceiver for transferring timing between a first time clock and a second time clock comprising:
- transmitting a first ultra wideband signal by said first transceiver, said ultra wideband signal having a signal structure comprising a time reference point and conveying digital time information for said time reference point, said time reference point and said digital time information established in accordance with said first time clock;
receiving the first ultra wideband signal by said second transceiver;
synchronizing a receiver time base of said second transceiver with the received first ultra wideband signal;
generating a first detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern of said first ultra wideband signal as received at said second transceiver;
transmitting a return ultra wideband signal by said second transceiver, said return ultra wideband signal having predetermined timing relationship to the receiver time base of said second transceiver;
generating a second detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern of said return ultra wideband signal as received at said first transceiver;
determining a round trip propagation delay from said first transceiver to said second transceiver and back to said first transceiver in part by comparing said first detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern to said second detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern;
determining a propagation delay from said first transceiver to said second transceiver based on said round propagation trip delay;
determining by said second transceiver a received time reference point and said received digital time information from the signal structure of the first received ultra wideband signal; and
setting said second time clock in accordance with said received digital time information, said received time reference point, and said propagation delay.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Time is transferred from an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter to UWB receiver by transmitting a signal structure having an associated timing reference point together with a time value for the timing reference point. The UWB receiver receives the timing signal structure by synchronizing a receiver time base to the signal structure, demodulating the time value information, and using the demodulated time value information to set a receiver clock value. Propagation delay information is used to adjust the receiver clock value by advancing the receiver clock value to account for the propagation delay. In one embodiment, propagation delay is determined from a known distance between the transmitter and receiver. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are part of a two-way link wherein propagation delay is measured by round trip timing measurements.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method utilizing a first transceiver and a second transceiver for transferring timing between a first time clock and a second time clock comprising:
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transmitting a first ultra wideband signal by said first transceiver, said ultra wideband signal having a signal structure comprising a time reference point and conveying digital time information for said time reference point, said time reference point and said digital time information established in accordance with said first time clock; receiving the first ultra wideband signal by said second transceiver; synchronizing a receiver time base of said second transceiver with the received first ultra wideband signal; generating a first detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern of said first ultra wideband signal as received at said second transceiver; transmitting a return ultra wideband signal by said second transceiver, said return ultra wideband signal having predetermined timing relationship to the receiver time base of said second transceiver; generating a second detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern of said return ultra wideband signal as received at said first transceiver; determining a round trip propagation delay from said first transceiver to said second transceiver and back to said first transceiver in part by comparing said first detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern to said second detected signal versus delay time multipath pattern; determining a propagation delay from said first transceiver to said second transceiver based on said round propagation trip delay; determining by said second transceiver a received time reference point and said received digital time information from the signal structure of the first received ultra wideband signal; and setting said second time clock in accordance with said received digital time information, said received time reference point, and said propagation delay. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system utilizing a first transceiver and a second transceiver for transferring timing between a first time clock and a second time clock comprising:
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a first transceiver transmitting a first ultra wideband signal, said first ultra wideband signal having a signal structure comprising a time reference point and conveying digital time information for said time reference point, said time reference point and said digital time information established in accordance with said first time clock; a second ultra wideband transceiver receiving said first ultra wideband signal; said second transceiver having a time base synchronized with said received first ultra wideband signal; said second ultra wideband transceiver generating a first scanning receiver data comprising a sequential set of signal strength measurements versus delay time for said received first ultra wideband signal; said second ultra wideband transceiver transmitting a return ultra wideband signal, said return ultra wideband signal having predetermined timing relationship to a receiver time base of said second transceiver; said first ultra wideband transceiver generating a second scanning receiver data comprising a sequential set of signal strength measurements versus delay time for said return ultra wideband signal as received at said first ultra wideband transceiver; said system determining a round trip propagation delay from said first transceiver to said second transceiver and back to said first transceiver in part by comparing said first scanning receiver data to said second scanning receiver data; said second ultra wideband receiver determining said time reference point and said digital time information from the signal structure of the first received ultra wideband signal; and said second time clock being set in accordance with said received digital time information, said received time reference point, and said propagation delay.
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Specification