Mobile reference station for production of correction signals for a differential position-finding device

• US 7,725,113 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Rutz, Arnold, Fiedelak, Jens
• Primary Examiner(s): Trinh; Sonny
• Application Number:
  US11/686,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20070236388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.6, 455/456.7, 455/422.1, 455/457, 342/357.01, 342/357.03, 342/357.06
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/074 providing integrity data, e.g. WAAS

Abstract

A reference station produces correction signals for a differential position-finding device. The station utilizes a position-finding signal receiver for reception of signals from satellites in a position-finding system and an electronic processor, which is connected by a transmission unit to a radio antenna. The electronic processor is designed to receive position signals from the position-finding signal receiver and to derive correction data from these position signals. The correction data can be modulated by the transmission unit onto a radio frequency signal and can be transmitted via the radio antenna. The processor is connected to an inertial sensor to calculate any position change of the reference station, and to produce an error signal when the calculated magnitude of the position change exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Claims

1. A reference station for production of correction signals for a differential position-finding device positioned remotely from the reference station, the reference station comprising:

a position-finding signal receiver for reception of signals from satellites in a position-finding system;

an electronic processor, which is coupled by a transmission unit to a radio antenna and is designed to receive position signals from the position-finding signal receiver and to derive correction data from these position signals, which correction data can be modulated by the transmission unit onto a radio frequency signal for transmission via the radio antenna to the differential position- finding device; and

the processor further connected to an inertial sensor at the reference station, the processor operable to use signals from the inertial sensor to calculate a variable which is dependent on any position change of the reference station and to produce an error signal when the variable exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

2. The reference station according to claim 1, wherein the processor can be operated to end the transmission of correction data in response to an error signal.

3. The reference station according to claim 2, wherein the processor can be operated to transmit the error signal via the transmission unit and the radio antenna.

4. The reference station according to claim 3, wherein the inertial sensor is physically connected to the position-finding signal receiver.

5. The reference station according to claims 4, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

6. The reference station according to claims 3, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

7. The reference station according to claim 2, wherein the inertial sensor is physically connected to the position-finding signal receiver.

8. The reference station according to claims 7, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

9. The reference station according to claims 2, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

10. The reference station according to claim 1, wherein the processor can be operated to transmit the error signal via the transmission unit and the radio antenna.

11. The reference station according to claim 10, wherein the inertial sensor is physically connected to the position-finding signal receiver.

12. The reference station according to claims 11, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

13. The reference station according to claims 10, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

14. The reference station according to claim 1, wherein the inertial sensor is physically connected to the position-finding signal receiver.

15. The reference station according to claims 14, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

16. The reference station according to claim 1, wherein the inertial sensor is a component of an inertial navigation system.

17. The reference station of claim 16, wherein the threshold value is greater than the normal drift of an inertial navigation system.

18. The reference station according to claim 1 wherein the variable comprises a position change of the reference station or an acceleration of the reference station.