Patent · US Expired

Real time clock apparatus for fast acquisition or GPS signals

US5893044A · kind A · utility

94Cited by
7References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 21, 1997
Grant dateApr 6, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 21, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S19/24
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus for improving the acquisition time of GPS signals includes a GPS receiver (21) and a real-time clock circuit (30). The GPS receiver receives GPS signals including a precise time reference signal for providing a position based upon the location of the GPS receiver. The GPS receiver also includes an internal time base (11) derived from the precise time reference signal. The real-time clock circuit is coupled to the GPS receiver for receiving a first time reference signal from the GPS receiver when the precise time reference signal of the GPS signal is available and for providing a second time reference signal to the GPS receiver when the precise time reference signal of the GPS signal is not available thereby allowing a fast acquisition time of GPS signals when the GPS signals are temporarily interrupted or not yet available.

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