Wireless time reference system and method

US8742986B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ZIH Corp. · BM

Inventors

• Altan Ameti · Germantown, US
• Keming Chen · Torrance, US
• Robert J. Fontana · Potomac, US
• Edward A. Richley · Palo Alto, US
• Belinda Turner · Germantown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 10, 2011
• Grant date: Jun 3, 2014
• Expiry date: Oct 10, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S5/14
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Various methods and apparatuses that utilize a wireless time reference system are provided herein. One example method involves calibrating independent, spatially-located clocks of a geoposition system in order to geolocate an object having an associated object tag. The example method may include transmitting an RF pulse pair, receiving the pulse pair at multiple locations, utilizing respective frequencies of first and second spatially-located clocks to produce count values to effect measurement of an interarrival interval at each of multiple locations, determining a ratio of count values relative to said first and second spatially-located clocks, and utilizing said ratio to calibrate time indications of said clocks. Other related methods and apparatus are also provided.