Internet hotspots localization using satellite systems

• US 7,952,518 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2008
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Ferrell, Barton G., Gutt, Gregory M., Whelan, David A., Brumley, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vigushin; John B
• Application Number:
  US12/130,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20090315769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.28, 342/357.29, 342/357.42, 342/357.43, 342/357.48, 342/357.49, 342/357.64, 342/357.62
• US Class Current: 342/357.29
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/12 wherein the cooperating elements are telecommunication base stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/256 relating to timing, e.g. time of week, code phase, timing offset

Abstract

Systems and methods according to various embodiments provide for navigation in attenuated environments by integrating satellite signals with Internet hotspot signals. In one embodiment, a receiver unit adapted to perform geolocation comprises an antenna adapted to receive a precision time signal from a satellite and receive additional aiding information from a wireless network station, wherein the precision time signal comprises a periodic repeating code. The receiver unit also comprises a processor and a memory adapted to store a plurality of computer readable instructions which when executed by the processor are adapted to cause the receiver unit to: use the precision time signal and the aiding information to determine a precise absolute time, determine positioning information associated with the receiver unit, use the positioning information to request location information of the wireless network station, and determine an absolute geolocation of the receiver unit using the positioning information and the location information.

Claims

1. A receiver unit adapted to perform geolocation comprising:

an antenna adapted to receive a precision time signal from a satellite and receive additional aiding information from a wireless network station, wherein the precision time signal comprises a periodic repeating code, wherein the code alternates between a coarse timing code and a pseudorandom code;

a processor; and

a memory adapted to store a plurality of computer readable instructions which when executed by the processor are adapted to cause the receiver unit to;

use the precision time signal and the aiding information to determine a precise absolute time,

determine positioning information associated with the receiver unit,

use the positioning information to request location information of the wireless network station, and

determine an absolute geolocation of the receiver unit using the positioning information and the location information.

2. The receiver unit of claim 1, wherein the wireless network station is part of a WiFi network, a cellular network, or an Internet network.

3. The receiver unit of claim 1, wherein the satellite is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite.

4. The receiver unit of claim 3, wherein the satellite is an Iridium satellite or a Globalstar satellite.

5. The receiver unit of claim 1, wherein the aiding information comprises orbit information associated with the satellite, an approximate location of the receiver unit, or approximate time information.

6. The receiver unit of claim 1, wherein the satellite is a first satellite, wherein the receiver unit is adapted to perform geolocation using positioning signals from a second satellite in an attenuated or jammed environment.

7. The receiver unit of claim 6, wherein the second satellite is a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite.

8. The receiver unit of claim 1, wherein the receiver unit is a cellular telephone, an iGPS receiver, a handheld navigation device, a vehicle-based navigation device, or an aircraft-based navigation device.

9. A method for performing geolocation, the method comprising:

receiving a precision timing signal from a satellite;

receiving aiding information from at least one wireless network station;

using the precision timing signal and the aiding information to determine a precise absolute time;

aligning system correlators of a receiver unit using the precise absolute time to determine positioning information associated with the receiver unit;

using the positioning information, requesting location information of the wireless network station;

receiving the location information from the wireless network station; and

using the positioning information and the location information to perform absolute geolocation.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising reporting the positioning information to the wireless network station.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the satellite is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the satellite is an Iridium satellite or a Globalstar satellite.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the aligning is performed in response to receiving signals from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the aiding information comprises orbit information associated with the satellite, an approximate location of the receiver unit, or approximate time information.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless network station is part of a WiFi network, a cellular network, or an Internet network.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiver unit comprises a cellular telephone, an iGPS receiver, a handheld navigation device, a vehicle-based navigation device, or an aircraft-based navigation device.

17. A method for performing geolocation, the method comprising:

receiving a precision timing signal from a satellite;

receiving aiding information from at least one wireless network station;

using the precision timing signal and the aiding information to determine a precise absolute time;

aligning system correlators of a receiver unit using the precise absolute time to determine positioning information associated with the receiver unit;

measuring ranging code for multiple satellites over time;

combining the ranging code with the aiding information;

computing positioning information;

surveying location information of the wireless network station using the positioning information;

receiving the location information that is transmitted on a wireless network station ranging code; and

combining the positioning information and the wireless network station ranging code to perform absolute geolocation.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising reporting the positioning information to the wireless network station.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the satellite comprises an Iridium satellite.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the aiding information comprises orbit information associated with the satellite, an approximate location of the receiver unit, or approximate time information.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless network station is part of a WiFi network, a cellular network, or an Internet network.

22. A receiver unit adapted to perform geolocation comprising;

an antenna adapted to receive a precision time signal from a satellite and receive additional aiding information from at least one wireless network station, wherein the precision time signal comprises a periodic repeating code;

a processor; and

a memory adapted to store a plurality of computer readable instructions which when executed by the processor are adapted to cause the receiver unit to;

receive the precision time signal from the satellite;

receive the aiding information from the at least one wireless network station;

use the precision time signal code and the aiding information to determine a precise absolute time;

align system correlators of the receiver unit using the precise absolute time to determine positioning information associated with the receiver unit;

measure ranging code for multiple satellites over time;

combine the ranging code with the aiding information;

compute positioning information;

survey location information of the at least one wireless network station using the positioning information;

receive the location information that is transmitted on a wireless network station ranging code; and

combine the positioning information and the wireless network station ranging code to perform absolute geolocation.

23. The receiver unit of claim 22, wherein the at least one wireless network station is part of a WiFi network, a cellular network, or an Internet network.

24. The receiver unit of claim 22, wherein the satellite is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite.

25. The receiver unit of claim 22, wherein the satellite is a first satellite, wherein the receiver unit is adapted to perform geolocation using positioning signals from a second satellite in an attenuated or jammed environment.

26. The receiver unit of claim 25, wherein the second satellite is a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite.

27. The receiver unit of claim 22, wherein the receiver unit comprises a cellular telephone, a handheld navigation device, an iGPS receiver, a vehicle-based navigation device, or an aircraft-based navigation device.