Abstract:
The present invention provides for a method of acquiring direct sequence spread spectrum signals and in particular, GPS signals, including the steps of obtaining an integration result by avoiding integration over bit edges, and includes the steps of splitting the received signal (A) into a plurality of signal chunks alternatively across a respective plurality of channels (B,C), each channel being arranged to carry a series of signal chunks, the division being controlled in a timed manner responsive to the signal bit period so that the signal chunks of one of the series signals do not include bit edges.
Abstract:
A method of despreading a target spread spectrum signal containing pseudorandom noise (PRN) code sequences modulated by a data message is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing data message information relating to the timing of an epoch of at least one data bit; and performing a correlation of the target signal and a replica signal containing corresponding PRN code sequences using the data message information to minimise degradation of the correlation caused by variations in the PRN code sequences in the target signal attributable to modulation by the data message. The correlation may be timed so as to substantially avoid continuous correlation over an epoch of a data bit. Alternatively, the data message information may further comprise bit information wherein the correlation is modified as a function of the data message information. In particular, where data bit modulation of the PRN code sequences in the target signal is the same as or equivalent to exclusive-or modulation, the polarity of PRN code sequences in the replica signal may be selectively reversed.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a method of receiving a signal spread over a frequency range, and in particular a direct sequence spread spectrum signals including the step of employing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in the Doppler search. In particular, the invention relates to the receipt of spread spectrum signals such as those transmitted as part of a GPS system.
Abstract:
A time-of arrival(TOA) method of determining the position of a cellular handset, for example a phone or a PDA, comprises causing the wireless terminal (MWT) to adapt to operate on a first network (GSM) having a plurality of first base stations (GSM 1 to GSM 3) and effecting position measurements with respect to ranging signals transmitted by one or more of the first base stations and causing the wireless terminal to adapt to operate on a second network (UMTS) having a plurality of second base stations (UMTS 1 to UMTS 3) and effecting position measurements with respect to ranging signals transmitted by one or more of the second base stations. The position measurements are combined and the position of the wireless terminal is determined from the combined measurements. The position fix may be determined by the wireless terminal (MWT) or a remote station to which the position measurements are relayed by the wireless terminal.
Abstract:
A method of despreading a plurality of GPS spread spectrum signals received by a GPS receiver (24) is disclosed together with a GPS receiver (24) and a mobile communications device (MS1) (especially a mobile cellular telephone) for the same. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a first GPS signal from the stored samples; obtaining frequency information relating to variations in the frequency of the first acquired signal as measured by the GPS receiver; and using the frequency information to acquire a second GPS signal. The frequency information may be used to acquire the second GPS signal in the course of a single dwell and may also, for a digital GPS receiver, relate to variations in the frequency of the first acquired signal present in stored samples.
Abstract:
A communications system comprises at least one beacon device capable of wireless message transmission and at least one portable device capable of receiving such a message transmission. The beacon is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages each in the form of a plurality of predetermined data fields arranged according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. For the delivery of additional data via broadcast, and in particular data including location information, the beacon adds to each inquiry message prior to transmission an additional data field carrying broadcast data, with the portable device receiving the transmitted inquiry messages including the location data and reading the broadcast data from the additional data field.
Abstract:
The invention provides for a telecommunications system including means for determining which of a plurality of positioning functions available to a mobile terminal of the system can be used, wherein a transmitting means is provided for transmitting to the mobile communications terminal a signal which serves to indicate one or more of the said plurality of positioning functions as being suitable for use having regard to the location of the said transmitting means.
Abstract:
A communications system comprises first (12) and second (14) beacon devices capable of wireless message transmission and at least one portable client device (15) capable of receiving such message transmissions. The client device (15) is arranged to broadcast an inquiry message according to a first communications protocol, such as Bluetooth. The first beacon (12) detects such inquiry messages and replies with an inquiry response containing an identifier for the second beacon (14), enabling the second beacon (14) and client device (15) to perform a service interaction. In an alternative embodiment (FIG. 4) receipt of the inquiry message is notified to the second beacon (14) which then sends the inquiry response to the client device (15).
Abstract:
A method of providing an estimate of the location of first and second devices MS1, MS2 comprising the steps of obtaining at least one range measurement from the first device MS1 to a known reference point BS1, GPS SVs; obtaining at least one range measurement from the second device MS2 to a known reference point BS1, GPS SVs, the second device MS2 being located near to the first device MS1; and calculating an estimate of the location of the devices MS1, MS2 using range measurements obtained in respect of both the first and second devices MS1, MS2.
Abstract:
The invention provides for a method of operating a GPS receiver for the acquisition of GPS signals through the processing of the receiver signal over an integration time period, including the step of switching the integration time period of the receive between two discrete values where the said controlling step of switching between the said two discrete values is responsive to a signal indicative of the environment within which the receiver is located.