Ranging system for determining ranging information of a spacecraft
US7512505B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 31, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S2013/466
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A ranging system determines ranging information of a spacecraft carrying a component of a communication channel. In order to provide a ranging system for determining ranging information of a satellite carrying a transponder as well as to provide a method thereof which yield a sufficient accuracy without causing further costs when narrow spot beams by the transponder are used, a ranging system includes a plurality of receiving stations at different locations on earth, wherein each receiving station is arranged for receiving a reference signal from the component; a synchronization unit for providing a synchronized time base between the plurality of receiving stations; a calculation unit for calculating the ranging information in accordance with the propagation time of each received reference signal and with the synchronized time base; wherein at least one receiving station includes a correlation receiver for receiving the reference signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.