Abstract:
A method for mitigating the effects of multipath errors in GNSS devices is provided. Signals from GNSS satellites are received. Image data from an image sensor is received. Orientation data from an orientation sensor is received. The orientation data describes the orientation of the image sensor. Obstruction data is determined based on the image data. The obstruction data includes an obstruction region that indicates the sky in that region is obstructed by a structure. Based on the orientation data, obstruction data, and GNSS satellite location data, the position of GNSS satellites with respect to the obstruction region is determined. The location of the GNSS device is determined based on signals from some of the GNSS satellites and the position of GNSS satellites with respect to the obstruction region.
Abstract:
A handheld GNSS device includes a housing, handgrips integral to the housing for enabling a user to hold the device, and a display screen integral with the housing. The device has a GNSS antenna and a communication antenna, both integral with the housing. The GNSS antenna receives position data from GNSS satellites. The communication antenna receives positioning assistance data from a base station. The GNSS antenna has a first antenna pattern, and the communication antenna has a second antenna pattern. The first and second antenna patterns are substantially separated. Coupled to the GNSS antenna, within the housing, is at least one receiver. Further, the device includes, within the housing, orientation circuitry for generating orientation data, imaging circuitry for obtaining image data, and positioning circuitry for determining a position for the point of interest based on the position data, the positioning assistance data, the orientation data, and the image data.
Abstract:
A method for mitigating the effects of multipath errors in GNSS devices is provided. Signals from GNSS satellites are received. Image data from an image sensor is received. Orientation data from an orientation sensor is received. The orientation data describes the orientation of the image sensor. Obstruction data is determined based on the image data. The obstruction data includes an obstruction region that indicates the sky in that region is obstructed by a structure. Based on the orientation data, obstruction data, and GNSS satellite location data, the position of GNSS satellites with respect to the obstruction region is determined. The location of the GNSS device is determined based on signals from some of the GNSS satellites and the position of GNSS satellites with respect to the obstruction region.
Abstract:
A handheld GNSS device includes a housing, handgrips integral to the housing for enabling a user to hold the device, and a display screen integral with the housing. The device has a GNSS antenna and a communication antenna, both integral with the housing. The GNSS antenna receives position data from GNSS satellites. The communication antenna receives positioning assistance data from a base station. The GNSS antenna has a first antenna pattern, and the communication antenna has a second antenna pattern. The first and second antenna patterns are substantially separated. Coupled to the GNSS antenna, within the housing, is at least one receiver. Further, the device includes, within the housing, orientation circuitry for generating orientation data, imaging circuitry for obtaining image data, and positioning circuitry for determining a position for the point of interest based on the position data, the positioning assistance data, the orientation data, and the image data.
Abstract:
A graphics-aided geodesic device is provided. The device may include a display, camera, distance meter, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) receiver and antenna, and horizon sensors. Data from the camera and horizon sensors may be displayed to assist the user in positioning the device over a point of interest. In one example, the distance meter may be used to determine the position of the point of interest. In another example, images of the point of interest taken from multiple locations may be used to determine the position of the point of interest.
Abstract:
A graphics-aided geodesic device is provided. The device includes an antenna for receiving position data from a plurality of satellites and a receiver coupled to the antenna. The device further includes orientation circuitry for obtaining orientation data. The orientation data represents an orientation of the apparatus with respect to a plane parallel with a horizon. The device further includes positioning circuitry for determining the position of the point of interest based at least on the position data and the orientation data.
Abstract:
A handheld GNSS device for determining position data for a point of interest is provided. The device includes a housing, handgrips integral to the housing for enabling a user to hold the device, and a display screen integral with the housing for displaying image data and orientation data to assist a user in positioning the device. The device further includes a GNSS antenna and at least one communication antenna, both integral with the housing. The GNSS antenna receives position data from a plurality of satellites. One or more communication antennas receive positioning assistance data related to the position data from a base station. The GNSS antenna has a first antenna pattern, and the at least one communication antenna has a second antenna pattern. The GNSS antenna and the communication antenna(s) are configured such that the first and second antenna patterns are substantially separated. Coupled to the GNSS antenna, within the housing, is at least one receiver. Further, the device includes, within the housing, orientation circuitry for generating orientation data of the housing based upon a position of the housing related to the horizon, imaging circuitry for obtaining image data concerning the point of interest for display on the display screen, and positioning circuitry, coupled to the at least one receiver, the imaging circuitry, and the orientation circuitry, for determining a position for the point of interest based on at least the position data, the positioning assistance data, the orientation data, and the image data.
Abstract:
Dynamic inter-channel bias calibration of a navigational receiver is provided. A reference signal is propagated through front-end circuitry of the receiver. A delay caused by the propagation of the reference signal through the front-end circuitry is measured. The inter-channel bias of the navigational receiver is reduced using the measured delay associated with the front-end circuitry of the receiver.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for measuring coordinates of a target, particularly under strong multipath conditions, are described. A satellite navigation system antenna and a tilt sensor are mounted on a range pole, with the sensor at the pole's bottom tip. Signals from the antenna and tilt sensor are provided to a receiver, which computes the antenna's coordinates from the antenna signals, and the pole tips position from the computed coordinates and the tilt data. The operator places the pole tip on the target and swings the pole by hand over an angle sector of 15 degrees while keeping the tip on the target. Height of the target can be computed with a single measurement set, and X-Y coordinates with just three measurement sets. The use of additional measurements reduces errors in the target's coordinates since multipath errors are uncorrelated during movement of the antenna. Vertical alignment of the pole is unnecessary.
Abstract:
A receiver of a radio frequency signal having a pseudo-random noise (PRN) code, and techniques of processing such a signal that are especially adapted for ranging applications. A signal corresponding to the PRN code is locally generated and used for decoding the received signal in a manner to reduce ranging errors that can result when multipath (delayed) versions of the radio frequency signal are also present. A significant application of the receiver and signal processing techniques of the present invention is in a Global Positioning System (GPS), wherein a number of such signals from several satellites are simultaneously received and processed in order to obtain information of the position, movement, or the like, of the receiver. A delay locked loop (DLL) correlator, provided in each of the receiver's multiple processing channels, locks onto a line of sight signal from one of the satellites with the effect of any multipath signal(s) being significantly reduced.