Solution separation method and apparatus for ground-augmented global positioning system
US6760663B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S19/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Global positioning systems (GPSs) estimate positions of vehicles based on signals from earth-orbiting satellite transmitters. For accuracy and reliability reasons, these systems have traditionally not be used for critical phases of aircraft navigation and guidance, such as aircraft landings. However, recent years have seen the development of ground-augmented GPS systems for use in automatic landing systems. These augmented systems rely on broadcast correction data to correct positions estimates, or solutions, and thus provide more accurate position solutions. Unfortunately, the conventional methods of measuring accuracy in these augmented systems cannot adequately cope with loss of correction data or satellite signals and thus lead to more aborted landings than acceptable. Accordingly, the inventor devised a ground-augmented GPS system that incorporates a better method for determining the accuracy of its position solution. One exemplary embodiment determines a main position solution and one or more position subsolutions, with the main solution using all broadcast correction data and each subsolution using a respective subset of the correction data. Differences or separations betwee…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.