Triply redundant integrated navigation and asset visibility system
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- providing a Global Positioning System fix having a plurality of tracking parameters by a Global Positioning System receiver;
providing a Theater Positioning System fix by a Theater Positioning System receiver;
monitoring the plurality of tracking parameters for predetermined conditions;
and, when the predetermined conditions are met, sending a notifying signal and switching to the Theater Positioning System fix as a primary fix.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are described for a navigation system. A method includes providing a global positioning system fix having a plurality of tracking parameters; providing a theater positioning system fix; monitoring the plurality of tracking parameters for predetermined conditions; and, when the predetermined conditions are met, sending a notifying signal and switching to the theater positioning system fix as a primary fix. An apparatus includes a system controller; a global positioning system receiver coupled to the system controller; a radio frequency locating receiver coupled to the system controller; and an operator interface coupled to the system controller.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a Global Positioning System fix having a plurality of tracking parameters by a Global Positioning System receiver; providing a Theater Positioning System fix by a Theater Positioning System receiver; monitoring the plurality of tracking parameters for predetermined conditions; and, when the predetermined conditions are met, sending a notifying signal and switching to the Theater Positioning System fix as a primary fix. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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acquiring Global Positioning System data by a Global Positioning System receiver; acquiring Theater Positioning System location data by a Theater Positioning System locating receiver; acquiring Inertial Navigation System data by Inertial Navigation System electronics; providing a precision timing signal; performing a first signal integrity test on the Global Positioning System data; outputting a Global Positioning System fix associated with the Global Positioning System receiver as a primary position fix in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data passed the first signal integrity test; performing a second signal integrity test on the Theater Positioning System location data in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data failed the first signal integrity test; outputting a Theater Positioning System fix associated with the Theater Positioning System receiver as the primary position fix in response to a determination that the Theater Positioning System data passed the second signal integrity test; performing a third signal integrity test, in response to a determination that the Theater Positioning System data failed the second signal integrity test, to determine whether the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data are combinable to form a complete hybrid GPS/TPS position fix; combining the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data to output the hybrid GPS/TPS position fix as the primary position fix in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data passed the third signal integrity test; performing a fourth signal integrity test on the Inertial Navigation System data in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data failed the third signal integrity test; and outputting an Inertial Navigation System fix as the primary position fix in response to a determination that the Inertial Navigation System data passed the fourth signal integrity test.
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a system controller; a timing subsystem coupled to the system controller; a Global Positioning System receiver coupled to the system controller; a Theater Positioning System receiver coupled to the system controller; and inertial Navigation System electronics coupled to the system controller; where the system controller is configured to; perform a first signal integrity test on Global Positioning System data received from the Global Positioning System receiver; output a Global Positioning System fix associated with the Global Positioning System receiver as a primary position fix in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data passed the first signal integrity test; perform a second signal integrity test on Theater Positioning System location data, received from the Theater Positioning System receiver, in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data failed the first signal integrity test; output a Theater Positioning System fix associated with the Theater Positioning System receiver as the primary position fix in response to a determination that the Theater Positioning System data passed the second signal integrity test; perform a third signal integrity test, in response to a determination that the Theater Positioning System data failed the second signal integrity test, to determine whether the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data are combinable to form a complete hybrid GPS/TPS position fix; combine the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data to output the hybrid GPS/TPS position fix as the primary position fix in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data passed the third signal integrity test; perform a fourth signal integrity test on Inertial Navigation System data received from the Inertial Navigation System electronics in response to a determination that the Global Positioning System data and the Theater Positioning System data failed the third signal integrity test; and output an Inertial Navigation System fix as the primary position fix in response to a determination that the Inertial Navigation System data passed the fourth signal integrity test.
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Specification