Navigation system and method using modulated celestial radiation sources
US7831341B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S5/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for navigation utilizes sources of modulated celestial radiation. A spacecraft, satellite, or other vehicle (12) includes one or more modulated radiation sensors (22a-22x) for detecting a modulated signal (14) generated by one or more pulsars or other celestial objects (16). Pulse time of arrival at a respective pulse sensor (22a-22x) is measured by comparing the pulse signal (14) with a known pulse profile. A processor (30) calculates a timing difference between the measured pulse time of arrival at sensor (22a-22x) with a calculated pulse time of arrival at a selected reference point (100). Positions and pulse profile characteristics of the pulsars (16) are stored. Combining the calculated time difference with the known positions of pulsars (16), navigational parameters such as position, velocity, and attitude for spacecraft (12) with respect to the selected localized reference point (100) can be calculated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.