Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to methods carried out by an NSS receiver and/or a processing entity capable of receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters derived from NSS signals useful to determine a position, and for generating protection level(s) for an application relying on NSS observations to produce an estimate of said parameters. A float solution is computed using NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. A best integer ambiguity combination that minimizes an error norm is identified based on the float solution. Additional integer ambiguity combinations are identified, which have the smallest error norms that, together with the error norm of the best integer ambiguity combination, jointly satisfy the integrity risk. A measure of spread of the best and additional integer ambiguity combinations is computed. The protection level(s) is then generated from the measure of spread. Systems and computer programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to methods carried out by an NSS receiver and/or a processing entity capable of receiving data therefrom, for estimating parameters derived from NSS signals useful to determine a position, and for generating protection level(s) for an application relying on NSS observations to produce an estimate of said parameters. A float solution is computed using NSS signals observed by the NSS receiver. A best integer ambiguity combination that minimizes an error norm is identified based on the float solution. Additional integer ambiguity combinations are identified, which have the smallest error norms that, together with the error norm of the best integer ambiguity combination, jointly satisfy the integrity risk. A measure of spread of the best and additional integer ambiguity combinations is computed. The protection level(s) is then generated from the measure of spread. Systems and computer programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver for generating distance estimates from multiple GNSS satellites. The GNSS receiver includes an antenna and an RF front end coupled to the antenna configured to generate a plurality of samples related to a received signal. The GNSS receiver includes a correlator coupled to the RF front end configured to perform various operations including performing three correlations on the plurality of samples with three local code to generate three correlation results, where the three local codes are shifted in time or distance with respect to each other. The GNSS receiver includes a processor for defining a first slope using the first correlation result and the second correlation result, defining a second slope using the second correlation result and the third correlation result, and defining a code discriminator as a sum of the first slope and the second slope.

Abstract: A GNSS receiver for generating distance estimates from multiple GNSS satellites. The GNSS receiver includes an antenna and an RF front end coupled to the antenna configured to generate a plurality of samples related to a received signal. The GNSS receiver includes a correlator coupled to the RF front end configured to perform various operations including performing three correlations on the plurality of samples with three local code to generate three correlation results, where the three local codes are shifted in time or distance with respect to each other. The GNSS receiver includes a processor for defining a first slope using the first correlation result and the second correlation result, defining a second slope using the second correlation result and the third correlation result, and defining a code discriminator as a sum of the first slope and the second slope.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and apparatus are presented for processing data collected by at least two receivers from multiple satellites of multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), where at least one GNSS is Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA). Data sets are obtained which comprise a first data set from a first receiver and a second data set from a second receiver. The first data set comprises a first FDMA data set and the second data set comprises a second FDMA data set. At least one of a code bias and a phase bias may exist between the first FDMA data set and the second FDMA data set. At least one receiver-type bias is determined, to be applied when the data sets are obtained from receivers of different types. The data sets are processed, based on the at least one receiver-type bias, to estimate carrier floating-point ambiguities. Carrier integer ambiguities are determined from the floating-point ambiguities.

Abstract: A laser transmitter projects a beam of laser light outward while raising and lowering the beam. The beam may define a conical surface of varying inclination. The transmitter includes a laser source that directs a beam generally vertically, and a beam diverting element. The beam diverting element is positioned in the path of the beam, intercepting the beam and redirecting it. The beam emerges from the transmitter as a non-vertical beam that is raised and lowered. The diverting element may include a pair of mirrors configured as a pentaprism, with one of the mirrors pivotable. Alternatively, the diverting element may include a plurality of micro mirrors. Also, the diverting element may include a conical reflector and an annular lens which is cyclically raised and lowered. The beam may be raised and lowered cyclically according to a predetermined schedule, or it may be raised and lowered non-cyclically.

Abstract: A laser transmitter projects a beam of laser light outward while raising and lowering the beam. The beam may define a conical surface of varying inclination. The transmitter includes a laser source that directs a beam generally vertically, and a beam diverting element. The beam diverting element is positioned in the path of the beam, intercepting the beam and redirecting it. The beam emerges from the transmitter as a non-vertical beam that is raised and lowered. The diverting element may include a pair of mirrors configured as a pentaprism, with one of the mirrors pivotable. Alternatively, the diverting element may include a plurality of micro mirrors. Also, the diverting element may include a conical reflector and an annular lens which is cyclically raised and lowered. The beam may be raised and lowered cyclically according to a predetermined schedule, or it may be raised and lowered non-cyclically.

Abstract: A laser transmitter projects a beam of laser light outward while raising and lowering the beam. The beam may define a conical surface of varying inclination. The transmitter includes a laser source that directs a beam generally vertically, and a beam diverting element. The beam diverting element is positioned in the path of the beam, intercepting the beam and redirecting it. The beam emerges from the transmitter as a non-vertical beam that is raised and lowered. The diverting element may include a pair of mirrors configured as a pentaprism, with one of the mirrors pivotable. Alternatively, the diverting element may include a plurality of micro mirrors. Also, the diverting element may include a conical reflector and an annular lens which is cyclically raised and lowered. The beam may be raised and lowered cyclically according to a predetermined schedule, or it may be raised and lowered non-cyclically.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating elevations, including without limitation tools and techniques that employ mobile stations with laser detectors for receiving a beam emitted from a laser source and estimating an elevation of the mobile station based on the received beam. In some instances, a mobile station may be configured to identify, based on some or all of a variety of factors, a situation in which the elevation of the detector is likely to change to the extent that the slope of the emitter needs to be adjusted to account for this change in elevation. The mobile station may also be configured to inform the laser source that the slope of the emitted beam should be adjusted. In response, the laser source may adjust the slope of the emitted beam accordingly.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating elevations, including without limitation tools and techniques that employ mobile stations with laser detectors for receiving a beam emitted from a laser source and estimating an elevation of the mobile station based on the received beam. In some instances, a mobile station may be configured to identify, based on some or all of a variety of factors, a situation in which the elevation of the detector is likely to change to the extent that the slope of the emitter needs to be adjusted to account for this change in elevation. The mobile station may also be configured to inform the laser source that the slope of the emitted beam should be adjusted. In response, the laser source may adjust the slope of the emitted beam accordingly.

Abstract: A window assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a division post formed by a co-extrusion process to include integrally-formed window pane seals. Upper and lower ends of the division post are joined or assembled to a flexible seal band such that the post and seal band completely surround a fixed window pane. The window assembly is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A laser transmitter projects a beam of laser light outward while raising and lowering the beam. The beam may define a conical surface of varying inclination. The transmitter includes a laser source that directs a beam generally vertically, and a beam diverting element. The beam diverting element is positioned in the path of the beam, intercepting the beam and redirecting it. The beam emerges from the transmitter as a non-vertical beam that is raised and lowered. The diverting element may include a pair of mirrors configured as a pentaprism, with one of the mirrors pivotable. Alternatively, the diverting element may include a plurality of micro mirrors. Also, the diverting element may include a conical reflector and an annular lens which is cyclically raised and lowered. The beam may be raised and lowered cyclically according to a predetermined schedule, or it may be raised and lowered non-cyclically.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and apparatus are presented for processing data collected by at least two receivers from multiple satellites of multiple GNSS, where at least one GNSS is FDMA. Data sets are obtained which comprise a first data set from a first receiver and a second data set from a second receiver. The first data set comprises a first FDMA data set and the second data set comprises a second FDMA data set. At least one of a code bias and a phase bias may exist between the first FDMA data set and the second FDMA data set. At least one receiver-type bias is determined, to be applied when the data sets are obtained from receivers of different types. The data sets are processed, based on the at least one receiver-type bias, to estimate carrier floating-point ambiguities. Carrier integer ambiguities are determined from the floating-point ambiguities. The scheme enables GLONASS carrier phase ambiguities to be resolved and used in a combined FDMA/CDMA (e.g., GLONASS/GPS) centimeter-level solution.

Abstract: A method of augmenting a mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) by using a stationary fan laser transmitter. A rover comprises the mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) integrated with a mobile laser detector. The stationary fan laser transmitter is integrated with a stationary radio positioning system (Stationary_RADPS). The method comprises the following steps: (A)generating a single sloping fan beam by the stationary fan laser transmitter; (B) detecting the single sloping fan beam generated by the stationary fan laser transmitter by using the mobile laser detector; and (C) timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location and using the timing of the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.

Abstract: A machine control system uses a laser system and global navigation satellite system to determine the position of the machine. The laser system has a laser detector positioned in a known and fixed relationship with the nominal phase center of a global navigation satellite antenna. The laser detector receives laser light transmitted from a laser transmitter. The outputs of the laser system and the global navigation satellite system are used together to determine the position of the transmitter prior to being used to determine the position of the machine.

Abstract: A combination laser system and global navigation satellite system has a laser detector positioned in a known and fixed relationship with the nominal phase center of an included global navigation satellite antenna. The outputs of the laser system and the global navigation satellite system are used together to determine position.

Abstract: Methods for chaining together two or more navigation or survey stations to complete a project, where only adjacent stations in the chain have contact with each other. The location of a mobile reference station is determined and corrected, if necessary, using location determination (LD) signals from an LD system such as GPS, GLONASS, LEO or the like. The location of a first rover station is determined using RTK information and signal differencing from the mobile reference station. The location of a second rover station is determined using RTK information and signal differencing from the first rover station, in a chain of location determinations. Standard electronic distance measuring equipment and techniques can be used to supplement these methods in an integrated approach. Location consistency checks are provided by using RTK analysis to redetermine the location of one or more preceding stations in the chain.