Multi-function appliance for a satellite navigation data distribution system

• US 20050288861A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Global Locate Incorporated (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Podshivalov, Sergei, Abraham, Charles, Malkos, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,640,103 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/258 relating to the satellite constellation, e.g. almanac, ephemeris data, lists of satellites in view

Abstract

A multi-function appliance for use in a satellite navigation data distribution system is described. A computer includes an input/output interface and a memory the computer is configured with a plurality of modules. The plurality of modules includes a satellite signal receiver, a packetizer, a network interface, a concentrator, and a decoder. The satellite signal receiver is configured to obtain satellite navigation data from satellite signals. The packetizer is configured to packetize satellite navigation data to produce a reference packet stream. The network interface is configured to transmit packet streams towards a network. The concentrator is configured to remove duplicate packets within reference packet streams to generate a combined packet stream. The decoder is configured to decode satellite data from packet streams. In this manner, the computer may be configured to perform a reference station function, a hub function, or a server function in the satellite navigation data distribution network.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a computer having an input/output (I/O) interface and a memory, the computer being configured with a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules including;

a satellite signal receiver for obtaining satellite navigation data from satellite signals;

a packetizer for packetizing the satellite navigation data to produce a reference packet stream;

a network interface for coupling packet streams to a network;

a concentrator for removing duplicate packets within reference packet streams to generate a combined packet stream; and

a decoder for decoding satellite data from packet streams.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modules include hardware modules, software modules, or a combination of hardware and software modules.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the satellite signal receiver and the network interface each comprise a hardware module coupled to the I/O interface, and wherein the packetizer, the concentrator, and the decoder each comprise a software module stored in the memory.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of modules further includes network software for driving the network interface.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the network software includes at least one of:

an internet protocol (IP) function, a uniform datagram protocol (UDP) function, a firewall function, or a virtual private network (VPN) function.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of modules further includes network time protocol (NTP) software for time synchronization.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer further includes an interface for configuring the computer to perform a reference station function, a hub function, or a server function in a satellite navigation data distribution network.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a computer having an input/output (I/O) interface and a memory, the computer being configured with a plurality of modules, the plurality of modules including;

a means for obtaining satellite navigation data from satellite signals;

a means for packetizing the satellite navigation data to produce a reference packet stream;

a means for coupling packet streams to a network;

a means for removing duplicate packets within reference packet streams to generate a combined packet stream; and

a means for decoding satellite data from packet streams.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of modules include hardware modules, software modules, or a combination of hardware and software modules.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for obtaining and the means for transmitting each comprise a hardware module coupled to the I/O interface, and wherein the means for packetizing, the means for removing, and the means for decoding each comprise a software module stored in the memory.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of modules further includes means for driving the network interface.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for driving includes at least one of:

an internet protocol (IP) function, a uniform datagram protocol (UDP) function, a firewall function, or a virtual private network (VPN) function.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of modules further includes a means for time synchronization.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the computer further includes a means for configuring the computer to perform a reference station function, a hub function, or a server function in a satellite navigation data distribution network.