Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a mobile station to obtain a position fix using synchronous hybrid positioning and asynchronous hybrid positioning techniques are described. In one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus may transmit a request to a mobile station for fine time assistance (FTA) corresponding to a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The apparatus may be configured to receive the FTA, first timing measurements from one or more base stations, and second timing measurements from the GNSS. The apparatus may identify whether the FTA was received from the mobile station. If it is determined that the FTA was received, then the apparatus may establish a position fix for the mobile station using a synchronous hybrid positioning technique relating the timing measurements to a time scale associated with a system frame number (SFN). If not, then the apparatus may establish the position fix using an asynchronous hybrid positioning technique.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a mobile station to obtain a position fix using synchronous hybrid positioning and asynchronous hybrid positioning techniques are described. In one embodiment, a wireless communication apparatus may transmit a request to a mobile station for timing reference information. The apparatus may be configured to receive the timing reference information, first timing measurements from a first positioning technology, and second timing measurements from a second positioning technology. The apparatus may identify whether the mobile station is capable of supporting synchronous hybrid positioning based on the timing reference information. If it is synchronous hybrid capable, then the apparatus may then establish a position fix for the mobile station using a synchronous hybrid positioning technique that involves relating the first and second timing measurements to a common time scale based on the timing reference information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining locations of static devices are disclosed. The method includes identifying a plurality of static devices, obtaining location measurements by the plurality of static devices at different times, and determining locations of the plurality of static devices using the location measurements obtained at the different times. The method of determining locations of the plurality of static devices includes determining a group location of the plurality of static devices based on GNSS pseudo range measurements contributed by the one or more static devices, where the group location is near a centroid of the plurality of static devices weighted by the number of GNSS pseudo range measurements contributed by each of the plurality of static devices. The method of determining locations of the plurality of static devices further includes sharing a common time reference among the plurality of static devices.

Abstract: A portable wireless terminal and a moving velocity detecting method for the portable wireless terminal capable of detecting a moving velocity with high accuracy without increasing power consumption and terminal cost are provided. At the start of a communication, GPS reception-related circuits 32 and 33 are turned on, an initial position of a portable wireless terminal 10 is detected, a RAKE receiver 24 and a synchronous detector 25 measure Doppler shift amounts of down signals at a known frequency received from a plurality of base stations, respectively, and a CPU 41 calculates relative velocities of the portable wireless terminal 10 to the respective base stations and obtains a current moving velocity of the portable wireless terminal 10 from positions of the base stations, the initial position, and the relative velocities.

Abstract: A mobile device in a cellular communication network collects round-trip time (RTT) measurements for a single active cell. The collected RTT measurements are transmitted to a location server. The location server uses the transmitted RTT measurements to calculate a GNSS position of the single active cell. One or more of the transmitted RTT measurements are taken by the mobile device, and/or are collected from other mobile devices in the single active cell. The transmitted RTT measurements are collected at different GNSS fixes in the same single active cell. The mobile device location stamps the collected RTT measurements using corresponding GNSS fixes, and transmits to the location server using a NML. The location server calculates the GNSS position of the single active cell using location stamped RTT measurements in the received NMLR to refine an associated reference database periodically or aperiodically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a position of a receiver. A number of first radio frequency signals including navigation information at the receiver is received. The number of first radio frequency signals is sent from a number of platforms configured to receive second radio frequency signals from a plurality of satellites in a global positioning system. The position of the receiver is identified using a number of distances and a number of angles identified from the number of first radio frequency signals and a number of positions for the number of platforms.

Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided a system and method for using satellite communications satellites to control and receive data from a land cableless seismic system. The satellite transmission could transmit control signals (e.g. turn on/off) and receive signals from the remote seismograph units (seismic data, quality control parameters, status, location, etc.) which would subsequently be retransmitted to a processing center or other surface facility.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a device in a reference coordinate system. The method including: receiving, at the device, less than all of GPS signals necessary to determine the position of the device in the reference coordinate system; transmitting a signal from a? illuminating source defined in the reference coordinate system; receiving the signal at a cavity waveguide disposed on the device; and determining the position of the device in the reference coordinate system based on the GPS signals and the signal received in the cavity waveguide. The signal received in the cavity waveguide can also be used to confirm a position determined by the GPS signals.

Abstract: In a method for aiding aircraft landing using a GPS and an MLS within the context of a computed axial approach, the method uses coordinates of an azimuth antenna and/or of an elevation antenna as a reference point for the computation of a position of the aircraft in a reference frame centered on the landing runway. This position of the aircraft is thereafter used to determine an angle of azimuth between a longitudinal axis of the landing runway and the aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of implementing code space search of received signals are described herein. A code space search is implemented as a searcher that perform a subtask that is dynamically reconfigurable at each boundary of an initial integration time. Each particular subtask sets forth a programmable configuration of coherent integration hypothesis that are performed during the initial integration time. The searcher stores the results of the coherent integration hypothesis in a first portion of memory. A search accelerator operates on the initial integration results. The search accelerator can perform coherent integration of various frequency bins of different timing hypothesis, can generate energy values of the coherent integration results, and can generate a non-coherent energy summation. The energy values of the coherent integrations and non-coherent energy summations are stored in a second portion of memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining signal strength data within at least one allocated GNSS frequency band is provided. The apparatus includes a GNSS antenna. The GNSS antenna receives signals within the allocated GNSS frequency band. The apparatus further includes receiving circuitry. The receiving circuitry is for demodulating the received signals. The apparatus further includes a processor and memory for storing instructions, executable by the processor. The instructions include instructions for generating signal strength data for the received signals within the GNSS allocated frequency based on the demodulated signals, and for determining a position for a point of interest based upon the demodulated signals. Included in the apparatus is a display screen for displaying a graphical representation of the signal strength data of at least a portion of the at least one GNSS allocated frequency band.

Abstract: A navigation system is described which includes a mobile terminal 100 which has a transmission source receiver 204 for receiving the signals from one or more unsynchronised terrestrial transmission sources 102-105 and a satellite positioning receiver 200 for receiving signals from the satellite or satellites 107-110 of a satellite positioning system. The terminal also has a clock 208. A processor 209 is arranged to acquire a measurement vector having a list of values, each value representing a measurement made by a receiver 200,204, and the terminal clock's bias. It computes a state vector representing the current state of the system, using a previously-determined state vector, the measurement vector, and a dynamic model in order to derive a dynamic navigation solution.

Abstract: A method for estimating the location of a mobile Wi-Fi signal receiver from a database of independently obtained survey data, each survey datum consisting of a surface of location derived from a composite GPS signal, together with a Wi-Fi signature measured concurrently with the GPS signal measurement, is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a Wi-Fi signature, measured and recorded by said mobile. Wi-Fi signal receiver, at the location to be estimated; extracting from the database, an algorithmically-determined subset of surfaces of location, utilizing the Wi-Fi signature recorded by said mobile Wi-Fi signal receiver, and estimating the location of said mobile Wi-Fi signal receiver from said algorithmically-determined subset of surfaces of location.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption in a user terminal, especially mobile devices, a system and method are introduced that use terrestrial beacons as a location proxy when satellite positioning signals are not available. The geographic locations of the terrestrial beacons need not be known to use the beacons as a proxy for a satellite positioning signals derived location.

Abstract: Positioning systems and methods comprise a network of transmitters that broadcast positioning signals comprising ranging signals and positioning system information. A ranging signal comprises information used to measure a distance to a transmitter broadcasting the ranging signal. A reference sensor array comprising at least one reference sensor unit is positioned at a known location. A remote receiver includes an atmospheric sensor collecting atmospheric data at a position of the remote receiver. A positioning application is coupled to the remote receiver and generates a reference pressure estimate at the position of the remote receiver using the atmospheric and reference data from the reference sensor array. The positioning application computes the position of the remote receiver using the reference pressure estimate and information derived from at least one of the positioning signals and satellite signals that are signals of a satellite-based positioning system. The position includes an elevation.

Abstract: A method for acquiring positioning information includes receiving downlink data in a plurality of downlink slot frames, and receiving at a mobile terminal within one of the downlink slot frames, broadcasted global positioning system (GPS) orbital description data. The GPS orbital description data information relates to a first group of orbiting satellites within operable range of the base station (BS) providing the broadcasting of the GPS orbital description data. The method further includes performing GPS-based positioning for the mobile terminal based upon signaling received from a second group of a plurality of orbiting satellites in conjunction with the GPS orbital description data, such that at least one of the second group of the plurality of orbiting satellites is the same as some or all of the orbiting satellites of the first group.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a location of a mobile device in a wireless network. The method includes receiving global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements from the mobile device, and receiving terrestrial measurements from corresponding transceivers in the wireless network, each terrestrial measurement indicating a distance between the corresponding transceivers and the mobile device. The method further includes selecting at least one terrestrial measurement having an uncertainty value within a predetermined accuracy threshold. The location of the mobile device is determined as a function of the GNSS measurements and the selected terrestrial measurement.

Abstract: An approach provides for conversion of global positioning system (GPS) data. A user terminal receives positioning data from a base station, wherein the positioning data is received in a second format, and wherein the second format was derived from ephemeris data broadcast via a global positioning system (GPS) in a first format. The user terminal converts the positioning data from the second format into a third format that is compatible with a protocol of the GPS system, and determines a first fix using the third format of the positioning data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for position determination is provided using measurements from both Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and terrestrial-based Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA) receivers. The method involves the transformation of downlink satellite measurements into equivalent UTDOA measurements by computing comparable cross-correlation coefficients and time differences of arrival with respect to a UTDOA reference station. The method includes a weighting operation whereby the relative weights of the UTDOA measurements and the relative weights of the GPS measurements are adjusted based on a theoretical scaling followed by empirical adjustments. The method further involves the efficient computation and combining of metrics that are used to minimize the weighted error between candidate location solutions and the UTDOA and GPS measurements.

Abstract: System, methods, and devices for a self-sustaining differential corrections network that employs roving reference devices (RRDs) as reference stations for improving positioning, navigation, and timing (PN&T) solutions for other enabled local roving and/or stationary receiving devices (RDs) are disclosed herein. The disclosed differential correction system enhancement leverages RRDs enabled for a non-global positioning system (non-GPS), secondary PN&T signal to characterize local errors. These local errors are then used by local RDs in combination with a signal to calculate an improved PN&T estimate for the RDs.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and/or methods are provided for resolving ambiguities associated with signals received from space vehicles (SVs) in a satellite navigation system. For example, certain methods include receiving a first SV signal from a first satellite positioning system (SPS), and reducing a bit edge ambiguity of a data signal modulating a second SV signal received from a second SPS based, at least in part, on information in the received first SV signal.

Abstract: Different types of position fixes may be used to determine the location of a mobile station in a wireless communication system. The position fixes include terrestrial, or network, based techniques, and non-network based techniques, such as satellite, based techniques. An apparatus and method are presented by which different position fixes may be selected, based on the performance of a particular position fix in a particular mobile remote unit.

Abstract: A location-information discrimination method and device are provided that can accurately discriminate between locations of a mobile terminal in keeping with an actual environment. A discrimination value calculator calculates a discrimination value that is dependent on the amount of a change, from a predetermined value, in the received power of a radio signal received by a mobile terminal from a base station and on the duration of that change in the received power. The determination section compares the discrimination value with a predetermined value, thereby determining whether the mobile terminal is located indoors or outdoors.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a first position obtaining unit obtaining position information by receiving a GPS signal, a second position obtaining unit obtaining position information based on information obtained from a plurality of peripheral base stations, a position information obtainment determining unit determining whether or not the first position obtaining unit obtains position information, a movement detection unit detecting a movement of the first position obtaining unit, a first ON and OFF state control unit controlling ON and OFF states of the first position obtaining unit, a second ON and OFF state control unit controlling ON and OFF states of the second position obtaining unit, a monitor cycle control unit controlling a monitor cycle that the first position obtaining unit obtains position information, and an output unit selecting and outputting one piece of position information obtained by the first position obtaining unit and the second position obtaining unit.

Abstract: Embodiments related to cross-talk mitigation are described and depicted.

Abstract: An evaluation point E of a present position candidate corresponding to each satellite set is calculated based on an a priori residual (APR) (APR value), a PDOP value, and the number of satellites of the target satellite set according to E=k1·f1(APR)+k2·f2(PDOP)+k3·f3(number of satellites). Evaluation coefficients k1 to k3 for respectively weighting evaluation functions f1 to f3 are determined based on an APR average value.

Abstract: A covert device for tracing or tracking the movement of a shipping container has a primary satellite receiver responsive to external satellite signals to obtain positional information, a secondary receiver for obtaining coarse positional information from terrestrial radio signals, and a memory. A processor processes the available positional information to obtain a fix in response to an event and stores the fix in association with the event in memory. The receivers preferably use the shipping container at least in part as an antenna. When the secondary receiver is an FM broadcast antenna, the gap between the doors of the shipping container can serve as a slotted antenna.

Abstract: Provided is a method of efficiently determining a location of a terminal. The method includes receiving both of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal. When the GPS signal is not received, a location calculated using the mobile communication signal is determined as the location of the terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for determining position of a receiver. The positioning system comprises a transmitter network including transmitters that broadcast positioning signals. The positioning system comprises a remote receiver that acquires and tracks the positioning signals and/or satellite signals. The satellite signals are signals of a satellite-based positioning system. A first mode of the remote receiver uses terminal-based positioning in which the remote receiver computes a position using the positioning signals and/or the satellite signals. The positioning system comprises a server coupled to the remote receiver. A second operating mode of the remote receiver comprises network-based positioning in which the server computes a position of the remote receiver from the positioning signals and/or satellite signals, where the remote receiver receives and transfers to the server the positioning signals and/or satellite signals.

Abstract: A device and method for three-dimensional positioning are provided. The three-dimensional positioning of a common reference point is determined by fusion of supplied measurements, taking into account a lever arm compensation between the reference point, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver antenna, at least one radar antenna, and an inertial measuring unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a navigation system. A method includes providing a global positioning system fix having a plurality of tracking parameters; providing a theater positioning system fix; monitoring the plurality of tracking parameters for predetermined conditions; and, when the predetermined conditions are met, sending a notifying signal and switching to the theater positioning system fix as a primary fix. An apparatus includes a system controller; a global positioning system receiver coupled to the system controller; a radio frequency locating receiver coupled to the system controller; and an operator interface coupled to the system controller.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain a positioning result corresponding to the state of a receiver in less time.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to perform positioning at the proper positioning time and positioning precision in response to a requirement with respect to positioning.

Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. Data representing a plurality of power management profiles for a battery-operated wireless computing device are stored on the device. The power management profiles correspond to different power consumption levels. Each power management profile defines a feature for determining a geographic location of the device from among a plurality of features that are available for determining the geographic location of the device, and a frequency for employing the feature to determine the geographic location of the device. A first battery level of the device is determined. If the determined battery level is lower than a first predetermined amount, the device switches from a first power management profile having a first consumption level to a second power management profile having a second consumption level that is lower than the first consumption level.

Abstract: A partitioned aperture array antenna. The novel antenna includes a first subarray having a first number of antenna elements equipped with transmit functionality and a second subarray having a second number of antenna elements equipped with receive functionality, wherein the first and second numbers are not equal and the first and second subarrays have at least one common antenna element. In an illustrative embodiment, the first subarray includes a transmit circuit coupled to each antenna element in the first subarray for controlling a relative transmit phase of the antenna element to steer an overall antenna transmit beam, and the second subarray includes a receive circuit coupled to each antenna element in the second subarray for controlling a relative receive phase of the antenna element to steer an overall antenna receive beam.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for stationary user detection in a hybrid location system. In some embodiments, the method for determining whether a satellite enabled device is stationary by measuring the Doppler frequency of received satellite signals can include acquiring satellite measurements from at least two satellites, wherein the satellite measurements include Doppler frequency measurements, acquiring a rough estimate of location of the satellite enabled device and calculating an internal frequency offset of satellite enabled device.

Abstract: The simultaneous localization and RF modeling technique pertains to a method of providing simultaneous localization and radio frequency (RF) modeling. In one embodiment, the technique operates in a space with wireless local area network coverage (or other RF transmitters). Users carrying Wi-Fi-enabled devices traverse this space while the mobile devices record the Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements corresponding to access points (APs) in view at various unknown locations and report these RSS measurements, as well as nay other available location fix to a localization server. A RF modeling algorithm runs on the server and is used to estimate the location of the APs using the recorded RSSI measurements and any other available location information. All of the observations are constrained by the physics of wireless propagation. The technique models these constraints and uses a genetic algorithm to solve them, thereby providing an absolute location of the mobile device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method for using a satellite positioning system to filter WLAN access points in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method can include detecting WLAN APs in range of the WLAN and satellite enabled device, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites to provide a plurality of possible satellite locations of the device, and providing a weight for each AP based on the distance from the WLAN APs to the possible satellite locations of the device.

Abstract: A position information transmitter including: a digital processing device including a CPU and a position information database storing position information of the position information transmitter and information of channels used by other position information transmitters; and a radio transmitting device executing a signal modulation, wherein the digital processing device generates spread spectrum signals from the position information of the position information transmitter and information of channels used by other position information transmitters, by using the C/A code, and the radio transmitting device modulates the spread spectrum signals and transmits modulated signals as a radio signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the coverage of geolocation to indoor locations through cooperative geolocation. The method includes establishing an ad-hoc wireless network comprising a plurality of devices including a first device. The method includes receiving, at the first device, position information from the plurality of devices and determining a physical location of the first device based on the received position information. In an embodiment, the position information is transmitted in response to a request by the first device. In an embodiment, the position information may include a time of arrival of the request received by each of the plurality of devices; and the time of arrival may be associated with a GNSS time. In an embodiment, the ad-hoc wireless network may be a Wi-Fi network, which is associated with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for position determination is provided using measurements from both Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and terrestrial-based Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA) receivers. The method involves the transformation of downlink satellite measurements into equivalent UTDOA measurements by computing comparable cross-correlation coefficients and time differences of arrival with respect to a UTDOA reference station. The method includes a weighting operation whereby the relative weights of the UTDOA measurements and the relative weights of the GPS measurements are adjusted based on a theoretical scaling followed by empirical adjustments. The method further involves the efficient computation and combining of metrics that are used to minimize the weighted error between candidate location solutions and the UTDOA and GPS measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positional information transmitter, a positional information receiver and a position measuring system capable of measuring a position under moving circumstances. The positional information transmitter transmits positional information for specifying the current position.

Abstract: One or more tracked vehicles with wireless broadband connectivity to a central tracking station provide redundant location data derived from an onboard GPS receiver and an onboard self-triangulating cell phone. Tracking data for bar-coded and RFID-tagged items with the vehicle are also tracked. Clandestine audio monitoring of the vehicle interior and exterior can be enabled from the tracking station or from a remote access device. Redundant rollover sensing and reporting is provided by a roll over switch and a cell phone loss of signal. Hardwired and proximity vehicle panic alarms communicate with the central tracking station. A remote engine kill is provided. A tracking server within the tracking station stores data and generates reports and alarms. HF radio and cell phone communication between the tracking station and the vehicle are also enabled.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning transmitting stations, such as cell towers. Further, aspects of the disclosure provide a database for storing information of the transmitting stations. In addition, aspects of the disclosure provide methods for positioning a moving object having a receiver based on the database of the transmitting stations and wireless signals transmitted by the transmitting stations. The methods increase in-transit location visibility of shipment while reducing GNSS usage, and thus reduce power consumption. The methods allow positioning receiving stations when GNSS signals may not be available, such as due to interference.

Abstract: A control module interconnecting a transmitter portion and a signal receiver portion of a mobile device is provided. The control module monitors the transmitter portion of the mobile device and, based on the monitored condition, alters the mobile device to inhibit the ability of a transmission signal from a transmitter to interfere with the signal receiver portion, i.e., intelligent blanking. In other words, the control module may disable or modify the signal receiver portion when power on the transmitter portion exceeds a predetermined power threshold level. Alternatively the control module may force the transmitter portion to transmit at a reduced power level.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to obtaining position fixes using a position determination method in response to a change in an RF environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating over a network is provided. The method includes selecting between location-sensing methods for an LBA, such as between GPS and network triangulation. For each location-sensing method, a dynamic determination is made as to whether the accuracy of the location-sensing method, in the current environment, meets the application requirements. If two or more location-sensing methods meet the application requirements, then, location-sensing method selected is the location-sensing method that, from among the location-sensing methods that meet the application requirement, consumes the least power. Otherwise, the location-sensing method that is most accurate for the current environment is selected.

Abstract: A primary phase measurement device measures a first carrier phase and a second carrier phase of carrier signals received by the location-determining receiver. A secondary phase measurement device measures the third carrier phase and the fourth carrier phase of other carrier signals. A real time kinematic engine estimates a first integer ambiguity set associated with the measured first carrier phase and a second integer ambiguity set associated with the measured second carrier phase. The real time kinematic engine estimates a third ambiguity set associated with the measured third carrier phase and a fourth ambiguity set associated with the measured fourth carrier phase. A compensator is capable of compensating for the inter-channel bias in at least one of the third ambiguity set and the fourth ambiguity set by modeling a predictive filter in accordance with various inputs or states of the filter estimated by an estimator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stabilizing reference oscillators are described. According to some embodiments, the reference oscillator of a device may be stabilized by synchronizing the reference oscillator to an external signal received by the device. The device may be a navigation device in some embodiments, and the external signal may represent or be synchronized to an atomic clock signal or other signal exhibiting sufficient stability.

Abstract: A position determination system of a hybrid method, which is capable of complementing the problems of a position determination method, in which a global positioning system (GPS) is used, and a position determination method, in which a mobile communication signal is used, by combining the above two methods with each other, is provided. Also, it is possible to improve the reliability and the correctness in determining the position of a mobile communication terminal using a dispersing type hybrid position calculation method and a centralized hybrid position calculation method.