Method and device for creating a network positioning system (NPS)

• US 6,449,558 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David Anthony Small
• Original Assignee: David Anthony Small
• Inventors: Small, David Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe Y.
• Application Number:
  US09/701,260
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/214, 701/215, 701/207, 701/223, 701/224, 701/216, 342/357.08, 342/357.14, 342/357.06, 370/336, 370/314, 370/316, 445/457
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/04 providing carrier phase data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/071 DGPS corrections
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/11 wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks

Abstract

A network positioning system (NPS) uses GNSS-like signals transmitted from a GNSS-synchronized network of terrestrially based, low cost positioning-unit devices. These positioning-unit devices are used for the determination of absolute and relative position in satellite obscured environments, thus allowing seamless transition between GNSS and NPS, e.g., outdoors to indoor. Positioning-unit devices are self-integrating, thus allowing effortless integration of positioning-unit devices into both the GNSS and the NPS network.

Claims

1. For location, a method of creating a collaborating network of positioning-unit devices, the network allowing distribution of a common coordinate frame, timebase and network data to all positioning-unit devices within the network, the method comprising the steps of:

a) deploying one or more positioning-unit devices, each positioning-unit device comprising;

i) means for receiving signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and by positioning-unit devices;

ii) means for interpreting said received signals and consequently generating a unique ranging signal; and

iii) means for transmitting said unique ranging signal;

b) interpreting said received signals by said each positioning-unit device to deduce;

i) the position and time of said each positioning-unit device; and

ii) network data;

c) generating said unique ranging signal based on said interpreted signals incorporating

i) said deduced position and time of said each positioning-unit device; and

ii) said deduced network data;

iv) transmitting said unique ranging signal

such that positioning-unit devices deployed in Global Navigation Satellite System signal-occluded environments may be integrated into the network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means configured to synchronize to other positioning-unit devices via said unique ranging signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means configured to synchronize to Global Navigation Satellite System signals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices pulse the transmission of said unique ranging signal to allow a plurality of positioning-unit devices to share a common transmission frequency.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices, to derive communication data for distribution throughout the network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices and other available differential correction services, to derive differential correction data for refining positioning information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include multiple frequency transmission means for modulating said unique ranging signal, permitting use of wide-lane carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity resolution techniques.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving and demodulating multiple frequency transmissions of said unique ranging signal, permitting wide-lane techniques for resolution of carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity.

9. For location, a method or creating and expanding a collaborating network of positioning-unit devices, the network allowing distribution of a common coordinate frame, timebase and network data to all positioning-tail devices within the network, the method comprising the steps of:

a) create the network by the method comprising the steps of;

i) deploying one or more positioning-unit devices, each positioning-unit device comprising;

1) means for receiving signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and by positioning-unit devices;

2) means for interpreting said received signals and consequently generating a unique ranging signal; and

3) means for transmitting said unique ranging signal;

ii) interpreting said received signals by said each positioning-unit device to deduce;

1) the position and time of said each positioning-unit device; and

2) network data,

iii) generating said unique ranging signal based on said interpreted signals incorporating;

1) said deduced position and time of said each positioning-unit device; and

2) said deduced network data;

iv) transmitting said unique ranging signal;

b) deploy an additional positioning-unit device that is required to integrate with and expand the network;

c) receive and process at said additional positioning-unit device signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and said unique ranging signals transmitted by said one or more positioning-unit devices to determine a relationship between said additional positioning-unit device and the network;

d) generate an additional unique ranging signal at said additional positioning-unit device based upon said determined relationship; and

,

e) transmit said additional unique ranging signal from said additional positioning-unit device

such that the deployment of additional positioning-unit devices will expand the common coordinate frame, timebase and network data of the network over a substantially unlimited geographical area.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means configured to synchronize to other positioning-unit devices via said unique ranging signal.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means configured to synchronize to Global Navigation Satellite System signals.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices pulse the transmission of said unique ranging signal to allow a plurality of positioning-unit devices to share a common transmission frequency.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices, to derive communications data for distribution throughout the network.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices and other available differential correction services, to derive differential correction data fur refining positioning information.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include multiple frequency transmission means for modulating said unique ranging signal, permitting use of wide-lane carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity resolution techniques.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving and demodulating multiple frequency transmissions of said unique ranging signal, permitting wide-lane techniques for resolution of carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity.

17. For location, a positioning-unit device for creating and consequently expanding a collaborating network of positioning-unit devices, the device comprising:

a) means for receiving signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and by positioning-unit devices;

b) means for interpreting said received signals to deduce the position and time of said positioning-unit device, and deduce network data;

c) means for interpreting said deduced position, time and network data and consequently generating a unique ranging signal; and

d) means for transmitting said unique ranging signal

such that a common coordinate frame, timebase and network data is distributed throughout the network.

18. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating means configured to synchronize to other positioning-unit devices via said unique ranging signal.

19. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating means configured to synchronize to Global Navigation Satellite System signals.

20. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating means to pulse the transmission of said unique ranging signal, to allow a plurality of positioning-unit devices to share a common transmission frequency.

21. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices, to derive communications data for distribution throughout the network.

22. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices and other available differential correction services, to derive differential correction data for refining positioning information.

23. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating multiple frequency transmission means for modulating said unique ranging signal, permitting use of wide-lane carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity resolution techniques.

24. The positioning-unit device of claim 17, further incorporating means for receiving and demodulating multiple frequency transmissions of said unique ranging signal, permitting wide-lane techniques for resolution of carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity.

25. A device for interpreting the position, time and network data information contained in signals that are generated and transmitted by positioning-unit devices within a collaborating network of positioning-unit devices, the device comprising:

a) means for receiving a unique ranging signal, said unique ranging signal being created by the method comprising the following steps;

i) deploying one or more positioning-unit devices, each positioning-unit device comprising;

1) means for receiving signals transmitted by Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and by positioning-unit devices;

2) means for interpreting said received signals and consequently generating said unique ranging signal; and

3) means for transmitting said unique ranging signal;

ii) interpreting said received signals by said each positioning-unit device to deduce;

1) the position and time of said each positioning-unit device; and

2) network data;

iii) generating said unique ranging signal based on said interpreted signals incorporating;

1) said deduced position and time of said each positioning-unit device; and

2) said deduced network data;

iv) transmitting said unique ranging signal;

b) means for processing said unique ranging signal to determine position, time and network data for the device; and

d) means for outputting said determined position, time and network data for further processing.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means configured to synchronize to other positioning-unit devices via said unique ranging signal.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means configured to synchronize to Global Navigation Satellite System signals.

28. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices pulse the transmission of said unique ranging signal, to allow a plurality of positioning-unit devices to share a common transmission frequency.

29. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices, to derive communications data for distribution throughout the network.

30. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving, demodulating and interpreting modulated signals, said modulated signals selected from the group consisting of Global Navigation Satellite System satellites and positioning-unit devices and other available differential correction services, to derive differential correction data for refining positioning information.

31. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include multiple frequency transmission means for modulating said unique ranging signal, permitting use of wide-lane carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity resolution techniques.

32. The device of claim 25, wherein said one or more positioning-unit devices further include means for receiving and demodulating multiple frequency transmissions of said unique ranging signal, permitting wide-lane techniques for resolution of carrier phase integer cycle ambiguity.