US6067045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Communication network initialization apparatus and method for fast GPS-based positioning
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1999-04-28
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Granted: 2000-05-23
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Expires: 2019-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is disclosed, utilizing a communications network (in this particular design, it is a GEM (Geo-Mobile) satellite system) to initialize a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver (such one integrated into a handheld user terminal, or phone used within the communication network) to enable the GPS receiver to quickly acquire GPS satellite signals and perform positioning calculations. By systematically feeding the GPS receiver key pieces of information (GPS satellite trajectories, time estimate, position estimate, and additional positional references), the time to first fix (TTFF) of the GPS receiver can be drastically reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Castelloe
- 👤 Allan Lamkin
- 👤 Anthony Noerpel
- 👤 Dave Roos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/03; G01S19/05; G01S19/06; G01S19/10; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/001; G01S2205/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of initializing a GPS receiver to rapidly acquire GPS satellite signals for establishing a precise estimate of the position of the GPS receiver, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a signal representative of orbital trajectories of one or more GPS satellites within view of the GPS receiver; broadcasting a time synchronization signal; calculating a rough estimate of the position of the GPS receiver; and inserting the signal representative of orbital trajectories, the time synchronization signal, and the rough estimate of the position of the GPS receiver into the GPS receiver.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of initializing a GPS receiver to rapidly acquire GPS satellite signals for establishing a precise estimate of the position of the GPS receiver, the method comprising the steps of: broadcasting a signal representative of orbital trajectories of one or more GPS satellites within view of the GPS receiver; broadcasting a time synchronization signal; calculating a rough estimate of the position of the GPS receiver; and inserting the signal representative of orbital trajectories, the time synchronization signal, and the rough estimate of the position of the GPS receiver into the GPS receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the time synchronization signal is accurate to within about five milliseconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the rough estimate of the position of the GPS receiver is accurate to within about 1,000 kilometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the orbital trajectories signal is broadcast via a satellite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the orbital trajectories signal is broadcast via an idle communication channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the time synchronization signal is broadcast via an idle communication channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the time synchronization signal is broadcast via a satellite.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
A communication network comprising: at least one communication station; a plurality of GPS satellites; and a terminal; the communication station including means for sending communication signals, GPS satellite trajectory signals, and time synchronization signals to the terminal; the terminal including: means for receiving communication signals from the communication station; means for sending communication signals to the communication station; means for receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites; and means for processing the GPS satellite trajectory signals and time synchronization signals to rapidly determine the position of the terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A communication network comprising: at least one communication station; a plurality of GPS satellites; and a terminal; the communication station including means for sending communication signals, GPS satellite trajectory signals, and time synchronization signals to the terminal; the terminal including: means for receiving communication signals from the communication station; means for sending communication signals to the communication station; means for receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites; and means for processing the GPS satellite trajectory signals and time synchronization signals to rapidly determine the position of the terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The communication network of claim 8, wherein at least one of the communication stations is a satellite in Earth orbit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The communication network of claim 8, further including a gateway station including gateway receiving means for receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites and gateway transmitting means for sending GPS data to the communication station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The communication network of claim 10, wherein the gateway station is fixed to the Earth.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of initializing a remote GPS receiver to rapidly acquire GPS satellite signals for establishing a precise estimate of the position of the remote GPS receiver, the method comprising the steps of: providing an active GPS receiver at a fixed location which computes precise GPS satellite trajectories; broadcasting a signal representative of the precise GPS satellite trajectories of one or more GPS satellites within view of the remote GPS receiver; broadcasting a time synchronization signal; calculating a rough estimate of the position of the remote GPS receiver; and inserting the signal representative of orbital trajectories, the time synchronization signal, and the rough estimate of the position of the remote GPS receiver into the remote GPS receiver.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of initializing a remote GPS receiver to rapidly acquire GPS satellite signals for establishing a precise estimate of the position of the remote GPS receiver, the method comprising the steps of: providing an active GPS receiver at a fixed location which computes precise GPS satellite trajectories; broadcasting a signal representative of the precise GPS satellite trajectories of one or more GPS satellites within view of the remote GPS receiver; broadcasting a time synchronization signal; calculating a rough estimate of the position of the remote GPS receiver; and inserting the signal representative of orbital trajectories, the time synchronization signal, and the rough estimate of the position of the remote GPS receiver into the remote GPS receiver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12, further including a step of re-broadcasting a current GPS almanac over a high-speed channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12, further including a step of broadcasting a remote GPS receiver altitude estimate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: measuring propagation delay between a known reference and the remote GPS receiver; and providing the remote GPS receiver with an extremely accurate time signal and a position reference calculated from the measured propagation delay.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
A terminal for use in a communication network, the communication network comprising at least one communication station and a plurality of GPS satellites, the communication station including means for sending communication signals, GPS satellite trajectory signals, and time synchronization signals to the terminal, the terminal comprising: means for receiving communication signals from the communication station; means for sending communication signals to the communication station; means for receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites; and means for processing the GPS satellite trajectory signals and time synchronization signals to rapidly determine the position of the terminal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
94 words
A terminal for use in a communication network, the communication network comprising at least one communication station and a plurality of GPS satellites, the communication station including means for sending communication signals, GPS satellite trajectory signals, and time synchronization signals to the terminal, the terminal comprising: means for receiving communication signals from the communication station; means for sending communication signals to the communication station; means for receiving GPS signals from the GPS satellites; and means for processing the GPS satellite trajectory signals and time synchronization signals to rapidly determine the position of the terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
A gateway station for use in a communication network, the communication network comprising at least one terminal, a communications satellite and a plurality of GPS satellites, the gateway station comprising: a continually-tracking GPS receiver; means for computing GPS satellite trajectory data for GPS satellites visible to each terminal; means for computing a rough position estimate for each terminal; and means for sending signals representing GPS satellite trajectory data, time synchronization signals, and signals representing rough position estimates to each terminal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A gateway station for use in a communication network, the communication network comprising at least one terminal, a communications satellite and a plurality of GPS satellites, the gateway station comprising: a continually-tracking GPS receiver; means for computing GPS satellite trajectory data for GPS satellites visible to each terminal; means for computing a rough position estimate for each terminal; and means for sending signals representing GPS satellite trajectory data, time synchronization signals, and signals representing rough position estimates to each terminal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-23 | 2003-11-22 | 2004-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-23 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-23 | 2011-11-22 | 2012-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |