Powerline-aided satellite-based navigation system

摘要

GPS receivers obtain GPS navigation data from acquired GPS satellites and determine a position of the GPS receiver. However, the GPS receivers may not always be in view of the GPS satellites or may receive GPS signals that are too weak to decode. Moreover, assisted GPS techniques rely on the ability of the GPS receivers to connect to auxiliary channels to receive navigation data, which might not always be possible. Functionality for powerline-aided GPS can be implemented to provide the navigation data, with varying levels of accuracy via a powerline network, when the GPS satellites are not in view of the GPS receiver. Moreover, the GPS receiver can use the navigation data to determine the position of the GPS receiver and/or to synchronize a local clock in the GPS receiver. Receiving the navigation data can ensure that the GPS receiver has a fast time to first fix.

主权项

1. A method performed by a powerline network server, the method comprising:
receiving, from at least a first navigation satellite of a plurality of navigation satellites, a satellite navigation signal at the powerline network server of a powerline network, wherein the satellite navigation signal includes navigation data for a navigation device to determine position information associated with the navigation device; selecting a carrier frequency that is coherent with the satellite navigation signal and that does not interfere with a powerline signal frequency associated with a powerline signal; processing the satellite navigation signal, at the powerline network server, for transmission via a navigation carrier signal at the carrier frequency; and transmitting the navigation carrier signal and the powerline signal to the navigation device via the powerline network, wherein the powerline signal provides power to the navigation device, and wherein the powerline signal frequency provides a stable frequency reference that enables the navigation device to calculate an operational frequency of the plurality of navigation satellites using a pre-determined multiplier.