GNSS long-code acquisition, ambiguity resolution, and signal validation

• US 9,658,341 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2013
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: MacDoran, Peter F., Mathews, Michael B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mull, Fred H
• Application Number:
  US13/897,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20140062781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 34235778
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/10 using Doppler effect
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/11 wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/215 issues related to spoofing
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/23 Testing, monitoring, correcting or calibrating of receiver elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/246 involving long acquisition integration times, extended snapshots of signals or methods specifically directed towards weak signal acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/021 Calibration, monitoring or correction G01S5/0252 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method using hybrid spectral compression and cross correlation signal processing of signals of opportunity, which may include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as well as other wideband energy emissions in GNSS obstructed environments. Combining spectral compression with spread spectrum cross correlation provides unique advantages for positioning and navigation applications including carrier phase observable ambiguity resolution and direct, long-code spread spectrum signal acquisition. Alternatively, the present invention also provides unique advantages for establishing the validity of navigation signals in order to counter the possibilities of electronic attack using spoofing and/or denial methods.

Claims

1. A system for providing direct acquisition of a spread spectrum RF emission, comprising:

at least one emitter that emits a spread spectrum RF emission using a code sequence within a transmission medium;

at least one interceptor that receives the emission propagated through the transmission medium from the at least one emitter, the interceptor comprising;

a spectral compressor configured to process the intercepted spread spectrum RF emission using spectral compression utilizing a non-linear operation to produce at least one of a chipping or a carrier-related observable;

a physical state estimator configured to determine at least one member of a relative physical state between the interceptor and the at least one emitter and a domain of code chips for at least one code assigned to the at least one emitter based on the at least one observable; and

a cross correlator configured to search the domain of code chips for a code assigned to the at least one emitter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the spread spectrum RF emission has a plurality of code sequence signals; and

the spectral compressor is configured to process the plurality of code sequence signals to produce at least one differential carrier related observable.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one member of the relative physical state includes at least one of clock phase or clock frequency.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the spread spectrum RF emission is a plurality of spread spectrum RF emissions, wherein the at least one member of the relative physical state includes at least one of relative position or velocity.

5. A method for providing direct acquisition of a spread spectrum RF emission, comprising:

intercepting, by an interceptor, at least one spread spectrum RF emission within a transmission medium;

processing, by a spectral compressor, the emission using spectral compression utilizing a non-linear operation to produce at least one of a chipping or a carrier-related observable;

determining, by a physical state estimator, at least one member of a relative physical state between the interceptor and the at least one emitter based on the observable;

determining, by the physical state estimator, a domain of code chips for at least one code assigned to the at least one emitter based on the at least one observable; and

cross correlating, by a cross correlator, the spread spectrum sequence with the emission to produce a code phase of the emission where the spread spectrum sequence is configured as a function of the domain of code chips determined for at least one code assigned to the at least one emitter.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the spread spectrum RF emission has a plurality of code sequence signals; and

processing the emission using spectral compression utilizing a non-linear operation comprises processing the plurality of code sequence signals to produce at least one differential carrier related observable.