Abstract: An RF-to-IF converter includes radio frequency (RF) to intermediate frequency (IF) processing circuitry and a frequency synthesizer for generating a local oscillator signal and clocking signals. The frequency synthesizer includes a local oscillator (LO) output coupled to the processing circuitry, a baseband processor clock output, and clock generation circuitry for generating a baseband processor clock with a frequency of approximately 48 fo on the baseband processor clock output, where fo is 1.023 MHz.

Abstract: A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver and associated method capable of tracking weak GNSS signals from a plurality of GNSS satellites. In a preferred embodiment, code and carrier tracking loops are initially closed around the code phase, carrier frequency, and data bit edge estimates handed over from an acquisition mode. In subsequent tracking, early, prompt, and late copies of the code replica are correlated with the incoming signal. The prompt correlations are coherently integrated over an extended updating interval for data bit edge and sign estimation as well as for carrier phase and frequency error discrimination whereas the early and late correlations are used for code error discrimination. Code delay and carrier phase and frequency errors are used to update the code and carrier tracking loop filters. Together with data bits, they form observables of a GNSS signal's time and frequency parameters for timing and position fixing.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic memory allocation and sharing in electronic systems. Embodiments include multi-channel signal processing, including continuously receiving multiple channels, wherein each channel comprises a discrete signal, and processing the multiple channels in a signal processing component on a time-multiplexed basis. Processing the multiple channels includes configuring the signal processing component for one of a plurality of operational modes, including allocating a memory into areas for storage of types of data, wherein certain areas are accessed by certain signal processing subsystems in certain manners. Configuring includes configuring the signal processing component to operate in different modes concurrently for different channels.

Abstract: An interface between an RF processing section and a baseband processing section supports general purpose message transmission as well as satellite positioning system signal sample transmission between the RF processing section and the baseband processing section. The interface includes a bi-directional message serial interface and a data serial interface. The complexity of the data serial interface may be minimized by using a single data bit signal line in the data serial interface.

Abstract: The present invention uses at least one amplitude bit to assist the phase-sampling technique used in digital receiver architectures. For digital receivers where the Intermediate Frequency (IF) is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency f0, the present invention provides reduced processing complexity and reduced power consumption. The present invention allows the digital receiver to avoid performing coordinate rotation at high speeds, and replaces such a coordinate rotation with a simple phase subtraction. This replacement of the coordinate rotation allows the receiver to use a less complicated design, and to consume less power as a result.

Abstract: A system is described that utilizes an imager in a wireless device in a wireless network and tags a digital image with positioning data.

Abstract: A system within a multi-channel GPS receiver that searches for Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites by receipt of a plurality of GPS signals where each GPS signal corresponds to a GPS satellite having a GPS satellite identification number (ID) is shown. The system may include a controller in control of the multi-channel GPS receiver that assigns each GPS satellite ID that corresponds to each of the plurality of GPS signals received by the multi-channel GPS receiver to an individual channel of the multi-channel GPS receiver and a monitoring channel selected by the controller from the multi-channel GPS receiver that monitors the received GPS signal.

Abstract: A highly integrated GPS RF Front End, an interface thereto, and a GPS receiver that incorporates the GPS RF front end, which uses a single conversion stage employing an image rejection mixer stage to eliminate the need for an image reject RF bandpass filter. Also a relatively high sample rate A/D is employed which allows a timeless monolithic IF Filter to be used. The disclosure also discusses a GPS Front End topology that is easily integrated from industry standard building blocks. With the broad variation in potential receiver designs, the present invention includes some specific receiver topologies that lend themselves to a high level of integration. The specific designs presented here are comprised of industry standard building blocks and functions that have been described elsewhere in the related art.

Abstract: A system and a method for integrating the receipt and transmission of location information into VoIP phone systems. The system may include a location device that includes a SATPS receiver and an antenna together with one or more connectors that allow connection of the location device to other devices, such as a VoIP telephone and a router, that are connected to and made a part of a VoIP phone system. A method of operating such a system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for efficient communication between a server and a client in an assisted navigation system. In one or more embodiments, the client, e.g., a GPS receiver, receives a set of parameters for a satellite from the server via a wireless or wired connection. The set of parameters includes a force parameter, initial condition parameters and time correction coefficients for the satellite. The receiver uses the received parameters in a numerical integration to compute the position of the satellite at a desired time. The set of parameters needed for the integration is small compared to current methods which require sending more data to the client. Thus these parameters require less communication resources to transmit. To further reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, reference parameters may be subtracted from the original parameters before transmission from the server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that compensate for frequency drift due to temperature variation without the need for a temperature sensor. In one embodiment, a navigation receiver with an integrated communication device receives a base station reference signal, which is used to periodically calibrate a local oscillator frequency. In another embodiment, the calibrated local oscillator frequency drives a counter that is used to provide code phase estimation at the start of satellite signal acquisition. To provide temperature compensation in one embodiment, the calibrated local frequency is used to drive one or more counters at different calibration rates (i.e., different time intervals between calibrations). Count values from these counters are used to determine compensation for frequency drift due to temperature variation based on predicted frequency drift variation patterns between calibrations.

Abstract: A data detection circuit within a global positioning system (GPS) satellite receiver operates to detect and decode data sent in a spread spectrum signal. The data detection circuit receives input from a radio receiver, the information containing data from a plurality of satellites. The data is supplied to a circular memory device, which determines which data corresponds to which satellite. The memory device sends the received signal to a matched filter, which decodes the signal received from each satellite. This signal is analyzed to determine whether a phase inversion due to data modulation on the received signal is present. The phase inversion can occur at boundaries, known as data epochs, in the received signal, and corresponds to data in the received signal. This data contains information relating to the position of each satellite and is collected by the data detection circuit for use by the GPS receiver.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a GPS system that can operate in different modes depending on the network facilities and bandwidth available, the GPS information that can be acquired, or user or system requirements. The modes comprise standalone mode, where a mobile communications device computes the position of the device, an autonomous mode, where the mobile communications device transmits the computed position to a server, application, or PSAP in a communications network, a network aided mode, where the network aides the mobile communications device in determining the position of the device, a network based mode, and other modes.

Abstract: A power management system for managing power in a wireless device having a SPS receiver, communication device and a power source, the power management is described. The power management system may include a real-time clock, an input/output device, a radio frequency front-end and a SPS engine in signal communication with the real-time clock, input/output device and radio frequency front-end, the SPS engine capable of powering down itself, the input/output device and radio frequency front-end in response to determining a mode of operation.

Abstract: Flexible mounting devices for navigational/entertainment displays, especially for in-vehicle use, are described herein. In an embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible gooseneck, a magnetic base magnetically attached to a front end of the gooseneck for holding a display, and a windshield suction attached to a back end of the gooseneck for providing windshield support from the rear by suctioning to the windshield of a vehicle. In another embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible neck, which may be firmly attached to the dashboard of a vehicle with a sticky gel pad. The mounting device also comprises a counter weight attached to a back end of the flexible neck. The display is fixed to a front end of the flexible neck such that the display protrudes beyond the dashboard. The counter weight at the back end of the flexible neck counter balances the weight of the display at the front end, and thereby helps to provide a stable support.

Abstract: The present invention provides GPS receivers capable of tracking very weak GPS signals particularly in an indoor environment without assistance from an external server or a network. In a preferred embodiment, a GPS receiver initially acquires and locks onto GPS satellite signals to compute receiver position outdoors. The GPS receiver then tracks at least one satellite signal indoors to maintain acquisition parameters for quick acquisition of GPS signals. To save power, the receiver automatically goes to the sleep state and periodically wakes up, i.e., powers up, to maintain the at least one satellite signal tracking. During the wakeup state, the receiver collects ephemeris data from the at least one satellite signal when the ephemeris data needs to be updated for quick acquisition of GPS signals.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that are capable of determining receiver position and system time under weak signal conditions. When the receiver is unable to accurately determine the satellite signal travel time, e.g., due to weak signal reception or some other condition, the receiver can still estimate the pseudo-range for the satellite based on an initial receiver position and system time. In this case, the system and methods described herein provide the necessary initial receiver position and system time with enough accuracy to estimate the pseudo-range, even under weak signal conditions. The receiver can then use the estimated pseudo-range to determine a more accurate receiver position.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and system for enabling a standalone navigation receiver capable of generating receiver specific predicted satellite orbits based on historical navigation data collected by and stored in the receiver. Thus, the navigation receiver is able to use the predicted satellite orbits to obtain better Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) and position accuracy without the need of connecting to a remote server and the associated communications system. In an embodiment, a standalone navigation receiver having sufficient memory collects navigation data from navigation satellites and generates predicted satellite orbits using the collected navigation data. Under weak signal conditions when decoding of the navigation data is not possible, the receiver uses the predicted satellite orbits to predict the accurate satellite positions or the set of ephemeris and the associated pseudoranges. The predicted orbits may be accurate for several days without the reception of broadcast ephemeris.

Abstract: A system and method for providing temperature compensation in a oscillator component (such as a crystal oscillator component) that includes a closely-located temperature sensing device. The crystal oscillator component in example systems and methods is exposed to a temperature profile during a calibration procedure. Temperature and frequency data are collected and applied to coefficient generating function according to a temperature compensation model to generate a set of coefficients that are used in the temperature compensation model in an application device. The generated coefficients are stored in a coefficient memory accessible to an application device during operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a method for dynamically controlling power consumption in a digital demodulator circuit by varying clock rates and bit widths of demodulator components including an analog to digital converter, decimation filter, OFDM operating engine, FEC decoder, and MPE-FEC processor, according to parameters and conditions of the received signal including modulation mode, signal to noise ratio, effective bit transmission rate, bit error rate, packet error rate, adjacent channel interference, and co-channel interference.