Patent · US Expired

Geolocation method and apparatus for satellite based telecommunications system

US5844521A · kind A · utility

143Cited by
7References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1996
Grant dateDec 1, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S5/12
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method is provided for determining the geolocation of a mobile terminal within a telecommunications satellite system. The system supports first and second forward communications links from first and second earth stations through first and second satellites to a common mobile terminal. The method includes receiving, at the mobile terminal, first and second forward link communications signals from the first and second earth stations and, based thereon, obtaining synchronization differential data. The synchronization differential data may include timing and frequency synchronization data necessary to maintain synchronization between the first and second communications at the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal transmits the synchronization differential data to the first earth station over the return link. The first earth station receives communications signals from the mobile terminal and based thereon calculates return link synchronization data. The earth station further calculates at least first and second geoposition lines, along which the mobile terminal is positioned, based on the return link synchronization data and the synchronization differential data received from the mobi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.