Method and system for providing wide area augmentation system (WAAS) like corrections using a server and processor on the internet

• US 6,741,935 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Eschenbach, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/347,032
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 701/214, 701/215, 701/216, 342/357.01, 342/357.02, 342/357.06, 342/357.09, 342/358, 455/12.1
• US Class Current: 701/215
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/074 providing integrity data, e.g. WAAS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/009 Transmission of differential positioning data to mobile

Abstract

A method and system are disclosed for providing WAAS like corrections using a server and processor on the Internet. For one method, satellite measurement data is collected. Satellite position error corrections are computed using the collected satellite measurement data. The computed satellite position error corrections are stored. The stored satellite position error corrections can then be later retrieved and used by a server and processor on the Internet.

Claims

1. A method for correcting GPS measurements, comprising:

receiving satellite measurements at a central computer system from a plurality of reference stations;

processing the satellite measurements into a set of processed satellite measurements;

providing the processed satellite measurements to at least one virtual reference station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the processed satellite measurements includes transmitting the processed satellite measurements across the Internet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the processed satellite measurements includes transmitting the processed satellite measurements on a radio frequency.

4. The method of claim 1, including generating pseudorange correction measurements at the virtual reference station based upon the provided satellite measurements.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the generating the pseudorange correction measurements includes encrypting the pseudorange correction measurements.

6. The method of claim 4, including providing the pseudorange correction measurements to GPS receivers.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the providing the pseudorange correction measurements includes transmitting the pseudorange correction measurements across via the Internet.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the providing the pseudorange correction measurements includes transmitting the pseudorange correction measurements via a radio frequency.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the satellite measurements at a central computer system includes receiving the satellite measurements on the Internet.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the satellite measurements at a central computer system includes receiving the satellite measurements on a radio frequency.