Abstract: GNSS receiver includes a subsystem that reduces the adverse effects of multipath signals on punctual and early-minus-late correlation measurements by making the correlation measurements using a “blanked-PRN code.” The blanked-PRN code is all zeros except for adjacent positive and negative short pulses that occur at every code bit transition in a locally-generated PRN code. Using the blanked-PRN code, the receiver makes non-zero correlation measurements only near the code bit transitions in the local PRN code. If the local PRN code and the PRN code in the received GNSS satellite signal are closely aligned, the non-zero correlation measurements are made at the times of the bit transitions in the received PRN code.

Abstract: An antenna array includes a reference antenna and a plurality of closely-spaced secondary antennas for mitigating the effects of multipath signals on a direct signal, each antenna connected to a corresponding receiver which outputs signal data. A computational device uses the post-correlation signal data to estimate the parameters of a virtual reflector and derive correction values for code data, signal noise, and carrier phase.

Abstract: A GPS receiver that acquires and tracks a split-C/A code separately aligns with the received signal the phases of a locally-generated 10.23 MHz square wave, which can be thought of as a 20.46 MHz square-wave code, and a locally-generated 1.023 MHz C/A code. The receiver first aligns the phase of the locally-generated square-wave code with the received signal, and tracks one of the multiple peaks of the split-C/A code autocorrelation function. It then shifts the phase of the locally-generated C/A code with respect to the phase of the locally-generated square-wave code, to align the local and the received C/A codes and position the correlators on the center peak of the split-C/A. The receiver then tracks the center peak directly, using a locally-generated split-C/A code.

Abstract: Apparatus using a global positioning system (GPS) for finding out the attitude of a rotating space vehicle employs first and second antennae mounted opposite from each other on a circumference of the body of the rotating space vehicle. The antennae receive GPS satellite signals in their channels. A control and tracking loop processor monitors the signal strength in each channel. Phase errors produced by phase discriminators of each channel arc combined to produce a spin signature which is used to calculate the vehicle spin rate and vehicle attitude.

Abstract: A global position system receiver recovers the L1 and L2 carriers, the C/A-code measurements and the L1 and L2 P-code measurements by (a) producing an estimate of the L1 carrier phase angle and synchronizing a locally generated C/A-code with the L1 signal using an L1 delay lock loop and controlling, based on the locally generated C/A code, an L1 P-code generator that produces a synchronized version of the P-code; (b) initializing an L2 P-code generator based on the phase of the P-code generated by the L1 P-code generator; (c) determining, for the L2 signal, an estimate of signal power that is adjusted to compensate for noise; (d) determining an L2 carrier phase angle; (e) tracking the L2 P-code by adjusting an L2 P-code generator until the estimate of signal power is maximized. The GPS receiver also resolves a 1/2 cycle ambiguity in tracking the L2 P-code by comparing demodulated L1 P-code bits and L2 P-code bits.

Abstract: A receiver for pseudorandom noise (PRN) encoded signals consisting of a sampling circuit, multiple carrier and code synchronizing circuits, and multiple digital autocorrelators. The sampling circuit provides digital samples of a received composite signal to each of the several receiver channel circuits. The synchronizing circuits are preferably non-coherent, in the sense that they track any phase shifts in the received signal and adjust the frequency and phase of a locally generated carrier reference signal accordingly, even in the presence of Doppler or ionospheric distortion. The antocorrelators in each channel form a delay lock loop (DLL) which correlates the digital samples of the composite signal with locally generated PRN code values to produce a plurality of (early, late), or (punctual, early-minus-late) correlation signals.