Abstract: A GPS or Galileo receiver for radio positioning signals wherein at least a part of the computing of position related data based on radio signals received from a plurality of space vehicles is carried out by a processor (21) mounted on a graphic or sound card (20). The receiver thus makes use of available computing resources, thus achieving a lower Bill of Material.

Abstract: Radiolocalization receiver for a satellite radiolocalization system like GPs, Galileo or the like, including a staged correlation and accumulation unit, in which the correlation data is biased in order lo be to always non-negative. Thanks to this feature, the accumulated data grow monotonically during the accumulation. Overflow rate of a rust correlation stage (100, 150-153) is scaled down respect to the rate of the input data. Thus the higher correlation stages (200, 154-158) can be used in multiplex. The bit-flip rate in memories is very low, with an effective reduction of dynamic power consumption. The logic structure of the accumulator is also simplified by the invention, thus further savings in silicon space and power are possible.

Abstract: Method for acquiring a plurality of GPS signals, in which the signals received from the space vehicles are correlated, in an array of parallel processing modules (20) with local replicas of a pseudorandom code. The local pseudorandom code generators are slewed periodically, on detection of an external periodical trigger INT_ACC, and the correlation data are dumped simultaneously to all processing modules in output registers for acquisition and tracking software. The integration period is shorter than the natural period of the pseudorandom code sequence, and all the local generators are slewed at the same time, thereby allowing a quicker acquisition of the SV C/A code.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for improving the performance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers are disclosed. In particular, the improvement of the ability to calculate a satellite position or a receiver position where a receiver has degraded ability to receive broadcast ephemeris data directly from a GNSS satellite is disclosed. Correction terms can be applied to an approximate long-term satellite position model such as the broadcast almanac.

Abstract: Frequency discriminator based on a variant of the DFT transform in which the usual twiddle factors are replaced with twiddle factors as for a DFT on a number of points which is the double as the actual number of sample points. The DFT so modified allows half-bin frequency discrimination, with few added computational burden. Two DFT shifted of half bin with respect to the zero frequency provide a linear response of the discrimination and good immunity to noise. The discriminator is particularly useful in FLL for tracking signals in a GPS receiver.

Abstract: Pseudo-range processor (20) for a satellite radiolocalization receiver (100) having access to an auxiliary clock (38) used to clock an auxiliary reference timer (40). The auxiliary reference timer (40) is periodically sampled (170) during tracking, in relation to the GPS time kept by the main clock. The processor allows intermittent operations, between periods in a low-power sleep mode during which correlators (25) and main clock (37) are inactive. On wake-up a new sample is taken of the auxiliary reference timer (40), which allows an estimation of the most likely position of the correlation peaks (123a-c). The correlation engine can therefore directly start to search for peaks in appropriate code phase windows, with a high probability of immediate reacquisition.

Abstract: RF receiver for GNSS signals, (e.g., GPS, Galileo, Glonass), composed of a single chip and a low number of external components, has a number of independent signal paths each including a separate IF stage and baseband down-converter. Each signal path is tuned to a specific IF band by selection of external IF filters. Conversion to IF involves a common local carrier generator.

Abstract: RF receiver (40) for GNSS signals, (GPS, Galileo, Glonass), composed of a single chip (45) and a low number of external components, has a number of independent signal paths (180a-180-c) each including a separate IF stage and baseband down-converter (160). Each signal path is tuned to a specific IF band by selection of external IF filters. Conversion to IF involves a common local carrier generator (RF-LO).

Abstract: Pseudo-range processor (20) for a satellite radiolocalization receiver (100) having access to an auxiliary clock (38) used to clock an auxiliary reference timer (40). The auxiliary reference timer (40) is periodically sampled (170) during tracking, in relation to the GPS time kept by the main clock. The processor allows intermittent operations, between periods in a low-power sleep mode during which correlators (25) and main clock (37) are inactive. On wake-up a new sample is taken of the auxiliary reference timer (40), which allows an estimation of the most likely position of the correlation peaks (123a-c). The correlation engine can therefore directly start to search for peaks in appropriate code phase windows, with a high probability of immediate reacquisition.

Abstract: Acquisition method for a localization receiver, in particular for a GPS receiver. It involves the calculation of an interpolated FFT spectrum (S?) of correlated signals in which the frequency lines corresponding to half-integer values of the frequency resolution defined by the FFT are obtained by a combination of both amplitude and phase values of the FFT spectrum (S).

Abstract: Frequency discriminator based on a variant of the DFT transform in which the usual twiddle factors are replaced with twiddle factors as for a DFT on a number of points which is the double as the actual number of sample points. The DFT so modified allows half-bin frequency discrimination, with few added computational burden. Two DFT shifted of half bin with respect to the zero frequency provide a linear response of the discrimination and good immunity to noise. The discriminator is particularly useful in FLL for tracking signals in a GPS receiver.

Abstract: Method for acquiring a plurality of GPS signals, in which the signals received from the space vehicles are correlated, in an array of parallel processing modules (20) with local replicas of a pseudorandom code. The local pseudorandom code generators are slewed periodically, on detection of an external periodical trigger INT_ACC, and the correlation data are dumped simultaneously to all processing modules in output registers for acquisition and tracking software. The integration period is shorter than the natural period of the pseudorandom code sequence, and all the local generators are slewed at the same time, thereby allowing a quicker acquisition of the SV C/A code.

Abstract: An RF receiver or another type of electronic circuit contains circuit elements a setting of which is controlled by at least one control voltage. Furthermore, a control unit is provided for switching off the circuit elements during power-off periods. While the circuit elements are switched off, the control voltage is stored in storage capacitors, which allows to start the circuit up quickly after a switch-off period.