Abstract: An earthmoving machine including a control system is disclosed. The machine comprises first and second satellite navigation antennas mounted in a longitudinal direction on the earthmoving machine. A third satellite navigation antenna is mounted on a pole attached to an operational element of the earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, the earthmoving machine is a bulldozer and the operational element is a blade of the bulldozer. The machine further comprises a gravity reference sensor and a plurality of gyroscopes mounted on the machine. A computer processor generates control signals based on sensor data received from the various components. The disclosed system and method allows for dynamically stable operation of the earthmoving machine at relatively fast speeds without the development of unwanted oscillations.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving floating point and integer ambiguities in a satellite position navigation system is disclosed. A rover station is periodically positioned at unknown locations and has a satellite receiver capable of receiving the navigation signals. By calculating relative position coordinates between a base station in a known location and the rover station, and by calculating other position parameters relative to the satellite position, a geometric constraint based on a measured elevation angle between the rover and base station can be incorporated into data computations and processing to help resolve carrier phase ambiguities. The elevation angle is measured by transmitting multiple laser beams to an optical sensor on the rover station. This technique results in greater precision in determining the location of the rover.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 13, 2005
Date of Patent:
May 22, 2007
Assignee:
Topcon GPS, LLC
Inventors:
Vernon Joseph Brabec, Clyde C. Goad, Alexander A. Khvalkov, Lev Borisovich Rapoport
Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the changing frequency of a signal received by a satellite receiver from, illustratively, positioning system satellites is disclosed that enables a more accurate measurement of the change in frequency of that signal due to movement of the satellite receiver relative to those satellites. The system includes a PLL having a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) and a filter of frequency estimates (FFE). In operation, an analog signal is received at the satellite receiver and the PLL tracks the changing signal frequency and outputs non-smoothed frequency estimates into the FFE. The FFE then smoothes noise in the signal to produce a more accurate smoothed frequency estimate of the input signal. Comparing multiple estimates over time allows Doppler shift of the signal frequency received by the satellite receiver to be calculated more precisely, thus resulting in more accurate satellite receiver velocity vector determinations and, hence, position measurements.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 17, 2004
Date of Patent:
May 22, 2007
Assignee:
Topcon GPS, LLC
Inventors:
Mark I. Zhodzishsky, Sergey Yudanov, Victor A. Prasolov, Victor A. Veitsel
Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing an object-oriented programming language. The method includes declaring one or more class structures in databases having metadata describing characteristics defining the class structures. The method also includes extending the metadata associated with the class structures by adding any number of additional metadata to the databases.
Abstract: A satellite positioning device is disclosed for determining position based on received satellite navigation signals and a received non-satellite signal. A local clock controls the epoch period of a satellite signal processor. Correction signals are applied to the local clock in order to improve the synchronization between the satellite signal processor and the non-satellite signal processor.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 26, 2004
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2006
Assignee:
Topcon GPS, LLC
Inventors:
Vernon Joseph Brabec, Sergei B. Yudanov, Alexey Vladislavovich Zhdanov
Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing inbound interference in a broadband powerline communication system. Data modulated on first and second carrier frequencies is received via respective first and second lines of the powerline system. A characteristic of at least one of the carrier signals (e.g., phase or amplitude) is adjusted at the receiver in order to reduce the effects of inbound interference on the transmission system. The adjustment parameters may be determined by adjusting the parameters, during a period of no data transmission, until the output of a differential receiver is zero.