Positioning device with communication module and antenna

• US 9,612,335 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2014
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trimble Nantes SAS (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Nantes SAS (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Legras, Christian, Lancien, Bruno, Pichon, Didier
• Primary Examiner(s): GREGORY, BERNARR E
• Application Number:
  US14/248,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20140218234A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/071 DGPS corrections
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/41 Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1242 Rigid masts specially adapted for supporting an aerial
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00

Abstract

Embodiments provide for a positioning device comprising a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiving unit, a communication antenna and a communication module. The GNSS receiving unit is adapted to receive satellite information. The communication antenna allows for reception and/or transmission of complementary data. The communication module is connectable to the GNSS receiving unit and the communication antenna. The communication module is configured to provide complementary data received at the communication antenna to the GNSS receiving unit and/or to provide complementary data generated at the GNSS receiving unit to the communication antenna. The communication module is detachable or switchable for adaptation to an available communication technology.

Claims

1. A positioning device comprising:

a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiving unit configured to receive GNSS signals from one or more satellites;

a communication antenna configured to receive and/or transmit complementary data; and

a communication module configured to be separately, reversibly connected to each of the GNSS receiving unit and the communication antenna, such that the communication module communicatively and mechanically couples the GNSS receiving unit with the communication antenna through the communication module,

the communication module further configured to,

provide, to the GNSS receiving unit, complementary data received at the communication antenna, and/or

provide, to the communication antenna, complementary data generated at the GNSS receiving unit.

2. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the GNSS receiving unit is configured to compute a position based on the received GNSS signals and the complementary data and/or to provide the received GNSS signals and the complementary data for external computation of a position.

3. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the GNSS receiving unit is configured to generate complementary data based on a known position of said positioning device and the received GNSS signals, the generated complementary data being transferred to the communication module for transmission via the communication antenna.

4. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is detachable.

5. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is at least one of a ultra high frequency, UHF, antenna, and a code division multiple access, CDMA, antenna.

6. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is configured to support frequencies in the 800 or 1900 MHz bands for CDMA communication or for at least one of the ranges 410-430, 430-450, 450-470, and 410-470 MHz for UHF communication.

7. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna directly connects to the communication module via a connector.

8. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is mountable on a separate geodetic pole and connectable to the communication module via a cable.

9. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured to support at least one of CDMA, UHF, 3G or 4G functionalities.

10. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the complementary data includes, in a receiver mode, at least one of differential GNSS correction data, GNSS signals received at a transmitting positioning device, characteristics of the transmitting positioning device and additional correction data computed at the transmitting positioning device and, in a transmitter mode, at least one of differential GNSS correction data, GNSS signals received at the positioning device, characteristics of the positioning device and additional correction data computed by the positioning device.

11. The positioning device of claim 1, further comprising an interface for transfer of data between the communication module and a processing unit of the GNSS receiving unit.

12. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is arranged to point at a direction opposite to a pointing direction of a GNSS antenna of the GNSS receiving unit.

13. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication module is connectable into a housing of the GNSS receiving unit.

14. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is arranged within a detachable radio-transparent pole.

15. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication antenna is arranged in a pole having a first end attached to a housing of the GNSS receiving unit or a housing of the communication module.

16. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the GNSS receiving unit includes a housing comprising a thermally conducting thread for connection of a pole in which the communication antenna is arranged, the thread being in thermal contact with the communication module.

17. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the communication module is enclosed in a housing including a thermally conductive portion in thermal contact with a transceiver shielding of said communication module.