Abstract: A global positioning system receiver includes an inbound signal terminal to receive an inbound global positioning system signal having an inbound PRN code from a global positing system signal source. A local PRN code generator is configured to generate a local PRN code. A discriminator is coupled to the inbound signal terminal and to the local PRN code generator and configured to compare the inbound signal and the local PRN code and to generate a discriminator signal containing a positive portion and a negative portion. A processor is coupled to the discriminator and configured to receive the discriminator signal to process the discriminator signal to determine a bit code and to determine a distance from the global positing system signal source based on said bit code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing a stable reference signal of a desired frequency within a spread spectrum receiver is disclosed herein. The spread spectrum receiver is designed for use in conjunction with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and operates to receive broadcast differential GPS correction information. The present frequency synthesis technique contemplates generating a sequence of timing signals within the GPS receiver on the basis of GPS satellite signals received thereby, and providing the timing signals to the signal receiver. Within the signal receiver, the signal cycles of a local oscillator occurring between ones of the timing signals are counted. The frequency of the local oscillator is then determined by dividing the counted cycles of the local oscillator by one of the known time intervals. The determined frequency of output signals produced by the local oscillator is then scaled so as necessary to produce the reference signal of desired frequency.