Abstract: The invention discloses an improved GNSS receiver which determines a location of the receiver by combining a first location determined either from the standard PVT of a multi-frequency receiver and/or from a positioning aid like a map matching algorithm, inertial navigation system, WiFi localization system or other, and a second location determined by integrating the velocity from the standard PVT. The combination is based on a duty cycle or a combination of the duty cycle with a weighting of the error budgets of the first position and the second location. The improved receiver is preferably based on a standard receiver with an add-on software module which receives and processes data transmitted from the standard receiver by, for example, NMEA messages. The improved receiver allows a determination of a more precise and smoother trajectory in a simple way.

Abstract: The invention discloses a positioning device configured to acquire its own GNSS position, the GNSS positions of rovers in an area around the positioning device and the relative positions of the positioning device to the rovers. The positioning device is configured to calculate a best-fit position based on this data and their confidence indexes. The positioning devices may communicate directly or through a navigation assistance centre. The best-fit position may be provided with indexes of confidence, availability and integrity. In some embodiments, the positioning device of the invention may be robust enough to generate commands to the driving controls of an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver and the associated method, for calculating an unbiased position and time measurement from a plurality of satellite positioning signals, the receiver comprising: a plurality of circuits configured to receive positioning signals from a plurality of satellites in GNSS constellations, a plurality of first and second signal processing channels configured for processing a first selection of said positioning signals and determining associated first pseudo ranges, a computer logic, wherein: the computer logic is configured to calculate the unbiased position and time measurement from pseudo ranges being determined from positioning signals originating from distinct satellites. A GNSS receiver further comprising a second computer logic configured to calculate a second unbiased position and time from the first position and time, and the second signal processing signals.

Abstract: The invention discloses a receiver of GNSS positioning signals which has embedded computer logic to select between a first operating mode, which uses all available frequencies, and a second operating mode, which uses only part of the available frequencies but in combination with available correction data. The selection is based on a comparison of an index of quality of reception at the receiver and a computed or predicted precision/confidence level of the corrections. A plurality of corrections types are possible, including a type using a local model and a type using collaborative corrections. In some embodiments, a selection and/or a combination of a plurality of local models may be made to optimize the accuracy of the corrections.

Abstract: The positioning signals broadcast by the GNSS constellations on civilian frequencies are likely to be counterfeited, while the use of authentic signals is becoming increasingly critical for certain applications. According to the invention, the authentication of GNSS signals is performed by analysis of consistency between the measurements of parameters characteristic of the signals (direction of arrival, amplitude, phase) and their state model, said state model taking account of an emulation by software and electronic means of displacements of the phase centre of the antenna and/or of the main lobe of the radiation pattern. Advantageously, these displacements are generated by a pseudo-random code. Advantageously, the analysis of consistency between measurements and models is a multiple-criterion analysis, the combination of criteria being chosen as a function of a reception quality indicator and/or of a presumed location.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver comprising a circuit configured to receive a positioning signal comprising a carrier modulated by a subcarrier and a PRN code; a subcarrier and code tracking loop, comprising a first discrimination circuit, configured to calculate a first pseudo range from said received positioning signal and a first reference signal; a code tracking loop, comprising a second discrimination circuit, configured to calculate a second pseudo range from said received positioning signal and a second reference signal; and a calculation circuit configured to evaluate a difference between said first pseudo range and said second pseudo range, and to modify the output of the first discrimination circuit accordingly. The invention further addresses a method for calculating a pseudo-range in such a GNSS receiver.

Abstract: The invention discloses a recovery assistance device for helping in rescuing victims of avalanches, earthquakes or boat capsizes. The device is capable of calculating a position from combinations of a previous position and distances to other devices. Different configurations are possible, with a basic configuration consisting of a smart phone having waveform generation capabilities, processing and GNSS receiving capabilities. The device is programmed to be used in a defined mission by an application. The device can also receive a number of add-ons as a battery add-on, a modem add-on, a sound wave generation add-on, antennas, and protection, possibly waterproof, if adequate. Devices of the same type can be carried by people to be rescued and rescuers. The device is therefore quite versatile and can increase significantly the efficiency of rescue teams in different use case scenarios.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved GNSS receiver which determines a location of the receiver by combining a first location determined either from the standard PVT of a multi-frequency receiver and/or from a positioning aid like a map matching algorithm, inertial navigation system, WiFi localization system or other, and a second location determined by integrating the velocity from the standard PVT. The combination is based on a duty cycle or a combination of the duty cycle with a weighting of the error budgets of the first position and the second location. The improved receiver is preferably based on a standard receiver with an add-on software module which receives and processes data transmitted from the standard receiver by, for example, NMEA messages. The improved receiver allows a determination of a more precise and smoother trajectory in a simple way.

Abstract: A receiver, and associated process, for tracking a GNSS positioning signal comprising a carrier modulated by a subcarrier and a spreading code, the receiver comprising: at least one tracking loop configured to calculate a first pseudo range from said GNSS positioning signal, a first discrimination circuit (521) configured to calculate an ambiguous discriminator value from the subcarrier and the spreading code of said GNSS positioning signal, a calculation circuit (522) configured to calculate a value representative of a tracking error of said tracking loop, a second discrimination circuit (530) configured to select one of said ambiguous discriminator value and said value calculated by the calculation circuit, and to generate a first non-ambiguous discriminator value, an amplitude of which is based on an amplitude of the selected value, and a sign of which is a sign of said value calculated by the calculation circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an access point for transmitting non-GNSS signals using a wireless RF communication standard, the access point being further configured to transmit GNSS-like signals in at least one communication channel dedicated to the transmission of non-GNSS signals; an access point infrastructure comprising at least one of said access points; and a receiver for receiving GNSS and non-GNSS wireless signals, the receiver being further configured to receive at least one GNSS-like signal in a communication channel dedicated to said non-GNSS wireless signal, and to use said GNSS-like signal to determine its position. The invention further relates to a positioning system comprising at least one receiver in said access point architecture and an associated method for determining a position.

Abstract: The invention discloses a positioning device configured to acquire its own GNSS position, the GNSS positions of rovers in an area around the positioning device and the relative positions of the positioning device to the rovers. The positioning device is configured to calculate a best-fit position based on this data and their confidence indexes. The positioning devices may communicate directly or through a navigation assistance centre. The best-fit position may be provided with indexes of confidence, availability and integrity. In some embodiments, the positioning device of the invention may be robust enough to generate commands to the driving controls of an autonomous vehicle.

Abstract: The invention discloses an authentication system of objects, physical or virtual, comprising an authentication mark and, as an option, an authentication message, generated by an authentication device and controlled by a verification/decoding device in combination with an authentication server managed by an authenticating authority. The authentication mark in the tag/message may comprise GNSS RF raw signals and/or GNSS raw data. The authentication mark comprises data and may be formatted, for example, in a bitstream, a data stream, a QRCode, an RFID tag or an NFC tag. The authentication server is configured to cause a GNSS signals simulator to reproduce the GNSS RF raw signals and/or GNSS raw data at the location and time interval of production of the object and to compare the results of the simulation to the authentication mark comprising data received directly from the authentication device or received from a verification device and issue a validation, a denial or a doubt from the comparison.

Abstract: A global navigation satellite system (“GNSS”) positioning method is provided, based upon a GNSS radio signal that comprises a navigation message transmitted as a succession of data packets. Each data packet is present in the GNSS radio signal as a sequence of symbols obtained by application of a code preceded by a synchronization symbol header. The data packets are organized internally into data fields. At least certain data packets of the succession of data packets contain a synchronization bit field translated by application of the code into a synchronization symbol pattern.

Abstract: The positioning signals broadcast by the GNSS constellations on civilian frequencies are likely to be counterfeited, while the use of authentic signals is becoming increasingly critical for certain applications. According to the invention, the authentication of GNSS signals is performed by analysis of consistency between the measurements of parameters characteristic of the signals (direction of arrival, amplitude, phase) and their state model, said state model taking account of an emulation by software and electronic means of displacements of the phase centre of the antenna and/or of the main lobe of the radiation pattern. Advantageously, these displacements are generated by a pseudo-random code. Advantageously, the analysis of consistency between measurements and models is a multiple-criterion analysis, the combination of criteria being chosen as a function of a reception quality indicator and/or of a presumed location.

Abstract: The invention discloses a recovery assistance device for helping in rescuing victims of avalanches, earthquakes or boat capsizes. The device is capable of calculating a position from combinations of a previous position and distances to other devices. Different configurations are possible, with a basic configuration consisting of a smart phone having waveform generation capabilities, processing and GNSS receiving capabilities. The device is programmed to be used in a defined mission by an application. The device can also receive a number of add-ons as a battery add-on, a modem add-on, a sound wave generation add-on, antennas, and protection, possibly waterproof, if adequate. Devices of the same type can be carried by people to be rescued and rescuers. The device is therefore quite versatile and can increase significantly the efficiency of rescue teams in different use case scenarios.

Abstract: A method includes estimating the position of the moving object on the basis of the reception of navigation signals emitted by a constellation of satellites, the navigation signals being modulated by a code and the receiver comprising a local replica of the code. The determination of the confidence indicator consists in estimating a speed of displacement of the receiver over an identified trajectory segment, deducing therefrom a Doppler delay function corresponding to the motion of the receiver, in correcting the auto-correlation function of the GNSS navigation signal received from each satellite of the constellation by means of the delay function, in comparing the corrected auto-correlation function with a theoretical auto-correlation function by applying a quadratic criterion corresponding to the confidence indicator.

Abstract: In the field of active phase-control antennas, a method is provided for calibrating the phase center of an active antenna including a plurality of sub-elements able to receive a useful signal emitted by a satellite, the calibration being defined as a function of the reception characteristics of a reference signal at the level of each sub-element, the reference signal being emitted by the same satellite on a frequency band substantially equal to the frequency band of the useful signal and whose theoretical reception characteristics are known.

Abstract: A receiver, and associated process, for tracking a GNSS positioning signal comprising a carrier modulated by a subcarrier and a spreading code, the receiver comprising: at least one tracking loop configured to calculate a first pseudo range from said GNSS positioning signal, a first discrimination circuit (521) configured to calculate an ambiguous discriminator value from the subcarrier and the spreading code of said GNSS positioning signal, a calculation circuit (522) configured to calculate a value representative of a tracking error of said tracking loop, a second discrimination circuit (530) configured to select one of said ambiguous discriminator value and said value calculated by the calculation circuit, and to generate a first non-ambiguous discriminator value, an amplitude of which is based on an amplitude of the selected value, and a sign of which is a sign of said value calculated by the calculation circuit.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver and the associated method, for calculating an unbiased position and time measurement from a plurality of satellite positioning signals, the receiver comprising: a plurality of circuits configured to receive positioning signals from a plurality of satellites in GNSS constellations, a plurality of first and second signal processing channels configured for processing a first selection of said positioning signals and determining associated first pseudo ranges, a computer logic, wherein: the computer logic is configured to calculate the unbiased position and time measurement from pseudo ranges being determined from positioning signals originating from distinct satellites. A GNSS receiver further comprising a second computer logic configured to calculate a second unbiased position and time from the first position and time, and the second signal processing signals.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver comprising a circuit configured to receive a positioning signal comprising a carrier modulated by a subcarrier and a PRN code; a subcarrier and code tracking loop, comprising a first discrimination circuit, configured to calculate a first pseudo range from said received positioning signal and a first reference signal; a code tracking loop, comprising a second discrimination circuit, configured to calculate a second pseudo range from said received positioning signal and a second reference signal; and a calculation circuit configured to evaluate a difference between said first pseudo range and said second pseudo range, and to modify the output of the first discrimination circuit accordingly. The invention further addresses a method for calculating a pseudo-range in such a GNSS receiver.