Abstract: A GPS positioning system having a remote node and a network-aided GPS node locator. The remote node samples a GPS signal and transmits the GPS signal samples through a communication network having an intermediate node. The GPS node locator receives the GPS signal samples through the communication network, geolocates the intermediate node from a node ID, and uses the GNSS signal samples with the intermediate node geographical location for determining the geographical location of the remote node.

Abstract: A GPS positioning system having a remote node and a network-aided GPS node locator. The remote node samples a GPS signal and transmits the GPS signal samples through a communication network having an intermediate node. The GPS node locator receives the GPS signal samples through the communication network, geolocates the intermediate node from a node ID, and uses the GNSS signal samples with the intermediate node geographical location for determining the geographical location of the remote node.

Abstract: A mobile GPS location system. The location system includes a mobile radio transceiver for transmitting a radio positioning signal and receiving a responsive radio system signal having a radio positioning system (RPS)-based time and position derived from the radio positioning signal; a mobile global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and a code range selector using the RPS-based time and position for selecting a code search range. The mobile GPS receiver uses the code search range for focusing a code phase search to a narrow range for rapidly acquiring a GPS signal. The RPS-based time and position are derived from a plurality of radio signal times-of-arrival (TOA)s determined by a plurality of system units from the radio positioning signal.

Abstract: A mobile location system. The GPS location system includes a radio positioning system (RPS) for determining times-of-arrival at several locations for a radio positioning signal transmitted from a mobile unit and then using the times-of-arrival for determining an RPS-based position and time for the mobile unit. The mobile unit uses the RPS-based position and time for focusing a code phase search to a narrow range for rapidly acquiring a GPS signal.

Abstract: A GPS receiver and method using alternating “A” and “B” integration time segments. The polarities of certain GPS data bits are known beforehand and their expected reception times are known. The GPS signal in 10 millisecond “A” time segments and “B” time segments is depolarized according to the known polarities. The depolarized GPS signal during an “A” time period made up of all the “A” time segments is integrated for providing an “A” time period magnitude for each code phase. Likewise, the depolarized GPS signal during a “B” time period made up of all the “B” time segments is integrated for providing a “B” time period magnitude for each potential GPS code phase. The strongest of the time period magnitudes is compared to a correlation threshold for selecting a code phase for signal acquisition.

Abstract: A GPS receiver and method using alternating “A” and “B” integration time segments. The polarities of certain GPS data bits are known beforehand and their expected reception times are known. The GPS signal in 10 millisecond “A” time segments and “B” time segments is depolarized according to the known polarities. The depolarized GPS signal during an “A” time period made up of all the “A” time segments is integrated for providing an “A” time period magnitude for each code phase. Likewise, the depolarized GPS signal during a “B” time period made up of all the “B” time segments is integrated for providing a “B” time period magnitude for each potential GPS code phase. The strongest of the time period magnitudes is compared to a correlation threshold for selecting a code phase for signal acquisition.

Abstract: A GPS receiver for integrating a GPS signal separately in a series of “A” type and “B” type time segments, the “A” segments alternating with the “B” time segments; combining the squares of the magnitudes of “A” time segment integrations corresponding to code phases for forming “A” type combined magnitudes; combining the squares of the magnitudes of the “B” time segment integrations corresponding to code phases for forming “B” type combined magnitudes; and determining an acquisition code phase of the signal from the strongest of the “A” or “B” combined magnitudes. The “A” time segments and the “B” time segments are one-half the period of the data bits of the signal, thereby ensuring that either the “A” time segments or the “B” time segments avoid the nullifying effect of data bit inversions.

Abstract: A GPS receiver and method using alternating “A” and “B” integration time segments. The polarities of certain GPS data bits are known beforehand and their expected reception times are known. The GPS signal in 10 millisecond “A” time segments and “B” time segments is depolarized according to the known polarities. The depolarized GPS signal during an “A” time period made up of all the “A” time segments is integrated for providing an “A” time period magnitude for each code phase. Likewise, the depolarized GPS signal during a “B” time period made up of all the “B” time segments is integrated for providing a “B” time period magnitude for each potential GPS code phase. The strongest of the time period magnitudes is compared to a correlation threshold for selecting a code phase for signal acquisition.

Abstract: A hybrid positioning system for locating an object using a combination of a GPS pseudoranges and local radio pseudoranges. The system includes one or more receptors coupled to a base station, and one or more location markers. The location markers are located with an object whose location is to be determined. Each of the location markers includes a GPS receiver for determining GPS pseudoranges and a radio transmitter for transmitting a radio signal including the GPS pseudoranges and information about the object. Each of the receptors passes the radio signal to the base station as an interface signal. The base station includes a radio pseudorange detector, a base GPS receiver, and a hybrid pseudorange processor. The radio pseudorange detector uses the times-of-arrival of the interface signals and the known interface signal transit times for determining radio pseudoranges from the location marker to the receptors. The base GPS receiver determines the locations-in-space of GPS satellites.

Abstract: A GPS receiver having a fast time to first fix by comparing measured range rates for GPS satellites to GPS satellite velocities that are calculated from coarse GPS satellite orbital parameters. The coarse GPS satellite parameters are GPS almanac parameters or GPS ephemeris parameters that are older than the GPS-specified curve fit interval. The GPS receiver includes a satellite velocity calculator and a satellite line-of-sight calculator using the coarse GPS satellite orbital parameters previously stored in memory for calculating GPS satellite velocities and unit vectors to GPS satellites, respectively; a range rate measurer using GPS signal carrier measurements for determining range rates to GPS satellites; a user velocity calculator using the satellite velocities, unit vectors, and range rates for calculating a user velocity; and a user location integrator for integrating the user velocity from the last user location for a first location fix.

Abstract: A GPS receiver having a fast time to first fix by comparing measured range rates for GPS satellites to GPS satellite velocities that are calculated from coarse GPS satellite orbital parameters. The coarse GPS satellite parameters are GPS almanac parameters or GPS ephemeris parameters that are older than the GPS-specified curve fit interval. The GPS receiver includes a satellite velocity calculator and a satellite line-of-sight calculator using the coarse GPS satellite orbital parameters previously stored in memory for calculating GPS satellite velocities and unit vectors to GPS satellites, respectively; a range rate measurer using GPS signal carrier measurements for determining range rates to GPS satellites; a user velocity calculator using the satellite velocities, unit vectors, and range rates for calculating a user velocity; and a user location integrator for integrating the user velocity from the last user location for a first location fix.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the present location of a mobile user that carries the apparatus inside or outside buildings and structures within a region R. The apparatus includes a radio location determination (LD) signal module that receives radiowaves from at least three radio LD signal sources, such as FM carrier or subcarrier signals, and an outdoor LD signal module that receives outdoor LD signals from at three other satellite-based or ground-based outdoor LD signal sources, such as GPS, GLONASS or Loran-C signal sources. The radio LD signals and outdoor LD signals are used to (1) determine the location of the radio LD module, (2) determine the location of the outdoor LD module and (3) determine an indicium representing signal strength or signal quality for the radio LD signals and for the outdoor LD signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing GPS pseudorange correction information over a selected geographic region S with a diameter of up to 300 km with an associated inaccuracy no greater than 5 cm. N spaced apart GPS reference stations (N>4), whose location coordinates (u.sub.n,v.sub.n,w.sub.n) are fixed and are known with high accuracy, are provided within or adjacent to the region R. Each reference station n(n=1, 2, . . . , N) receives GPS signals from at least four common-view GPS satellites, numbered m=1, 2, . . . , M (M.gtoreq.4), computes its own GPS-determined location coordinates, compares these coordinates with its known location coordinates, determines the pseudorange corrections PRC(t;t0;m;n) for its GPS-determined location, and transmits these correction signals to a central station located within or adjacent to the region S. The central station retransmits the pseudorange correction signals throughout the region S.

Abstract: A GPS-based integrated controller module combines in a single integrated package or module a GPS receiver, a map, and a logic or decision module which provides an output control signal or control code. The map of the integrated module provides various representations. Continuous functions are provided with various types of coordinate systems, which can use interpolation between reference points in a grid system, or Taylor series representations. The integrated module performs discrete output functions such as providing a control code or a user's location either within or out of a particular closed area or polygonal zone, where each location shares a common characteristics with the other locations in the zone.

Abstract: A method for characterization of data measurements made on signals received from a plurality of SATPS satellites that facilitates post-processing of these data to determine pseudoranges, code phases, carrier phases, pseudorange rate corrections, carrier phase corrections, spatial location, velocity and time coordinates and other variables of interest for an SATPS user. The SATS may be any satellite-based location determination system, such as GPS or GLONASS. The approach uses six indices h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 and h6, with the first index h1 including the total solution coordinates (t.sub.n,x.sub.n,y.sub.n,z.sub.n) for the location fix time t=t.sub.n at which measurements are made, and the spatial location and velocity coordinates. The second and third indices h2 and h3 specify the in-view satellite constellation that provided the SATPS signals and the IODC parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus combining a handheld, electronic video game device, a location determination receiver, an electronic map and/or electronic yellow pages, and geocoding. The apparatus provides a user with his location and locations of map features and/or yellow page addresses proximate to his location. The handheld, electronic video game display displays the user's location and a map and/or yellow pages and hosts a memory cartridge that includes software for a user interface, for maps and/or yellow pages database, and for geocoding. The apparatus benefits from the high manufacturing and sales volumes of existing handheld games devices.

Abstract: A differential GPS system for precise time and/or location tagging of an event. Reference and rover units cooperate to compensate for delayed availability at the rover unit of error-correction data transmitted via a two-way, high-latency communication link. A reference unit calculates and stores error-correction data. A rover unit collects and stores uncorrected GPS fix data, and transmits a message demanding error-correction data. The message preferably includes a time stamp indicating the time for which the error-correction data is to be valid. In reply to a demand message from a rover unit, the reference unit retrieves stored error-correction data and transmits it to the rover unit via the high-latency communication link. The reference unit includes a time stamp indicating the valid time of the error correction data if the valid time is not implicit in the reply. The rover unit uses the stored, uncorrected GPS fix data and the received error-correction data to compute a differentially-corrected GPS fix.