Abstract: Disclosed is a receiver that receives at least three satellite signals and determines the contribution of dispersive elements, nondispersive elements, and phase windup to a phase difference between each received satellite signal and a corresponding generated signal.

Abstract: The position of an apparatus moving along a surface is determined by calculating a plurality of vertical angles between the apparatus and a known location, where the vertical angles vary only within a range having a largest expected maximum angle. A plurality of horizontal distances between the apparatus and the known location are determined, each of the horizontal distances associated with one of the vertical angles. The horizontal distances are computed to within a tolerance based at least in part on the largest expected maximum angle. A plurality of heights of the apparatus are then determined using the plurality of vertical angles and associated horizontal distances. In particular embodiments, the known location may be associated with a rotating laser used with a photodetector at the target to determine the vertical angle. Further, the target may comprise a GPS receiver for use in determining the horizontal distance measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed is an antenna calibration technique for performing absolute antenna calibration. An antenna to be calibrated is positioned in a first position, called a home position, and records data samples from received satellite signals. The antenna is then moved to another location, called a non-home position, and records data samples from received satellite signals while at the non-home position. The antenna is then returned to the home position and records additional data samples. During the time that the antenna to be calibrated is recording its data samples, an auxiliary antenna is also recording satellite signal data samples. The data samples taken by the antenna to be calibrated during the home and non-home positions are differenced with the data samples taken by the auxiliary antenna during the same time period.

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.

Abstract: A laser measuring method in a laser measuring system, which comprises a rotary laser system for projecting a laser beam by rotary irradiation and at least one photodetection system having at least one photodetector for receiving the laser beam, comprising a step of emitting at least two fan-shaped laser beams by the rotary laser system, at least one of the fan-shaped laser beams being tilted, a step of receiving the laser beams at least at three known points by the photodetection system, a step of obtaining elevation angles with respect to the rotary laser system based on photodetection signals which are formed when the photodetector receives the laser beam, and a step of measuring an installing position of the rotary laser system based on elevation angles and position data at the three known points.

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.