Radio communications systems use 100 to 200 satellites in random low-earth orbits distributed over a predetermined range of north and south latitudes. The satellites themselves create a radio route between ground stations via radio links between multiple satellites by virtue of onboard global navigation satellite system circuitry for determining the location of the satellite and route creation circuitry for calculating in real time the direction from the satellite's location at a particular instant to a destination ground station. Directional antennas in the satellites transmit routing radio signals to enhance the probability of reception by other satellites. One embodiment facilitates the creation of satellite-to-satellite links by assigning each satellite a unique identifier, storing orbital information defining the locations of all of the orbiting satellites in the system at any particular time, and including in the radio signal the unique identifier associated with the transmitting satellite.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus used to reduce the estimated field of uncertainty of satellite positions in space. This reduced field of uncertainty estimate reduces link acquisition time of satellites as they establish inter-satellite optical links between each other. The method and apparatus reduces the estimated field of uncertainty by combining estimated field of uncertainty generated by multiple independent sources. The method further includes combining estimated field of uncertainty generated using existing field of uncertainty techniques with estimated filed of uncertainty created by a machine vision detection and location module. This machine vision detection and location module generates an estimated field of uncertainty that is a result of executing of one or more algorithms to process digital imagery data provided by a passive digital camera.

Radio communications systems use 100 to 200 satellites in random low-earth orbits distributed over a predetermined range of north and south latitudes. The satellites themselves create a radio route between ground stations via radio links between multiple satellites by virtue of onboard global navigation satellite system circuitry for determining the location of the satellite and route creation circuitry for calculating in real time the direction from the satellite's location at a particular instant to a destination ground station. Directional antennas in the satellites transmit routing radio signals to enhance the probability of reception by other satellites. One embodiment facilitates the creation of satellite-to-satellite links by assigning each satellite a unique identifier, storing orbital information defining the locations of all of the orbiting satellites in the system at any particular time, and including in the radio signal the unique identifier associated with the transmitting satellite.

Radio communications systems use 100 to 200 satellites in random low-earth orbits distributed over a predetermined range of north and south latitudes. The satellites themselves create a radio route between ground stations via radio links between multiple satellites by virtue of onboard global navigation satellite system circuitry for determining the location of the satellite and route creation circuitry for calculating in real time the direction from the satellite's location at a particular instant to a destination ground station. Directional antennas in the satellites transmit routing radio signals to enhance the probability of reception by other satellites. One embodiment facilitates the creation of satellite-to-satellite links by assigning each satellite a unique identifier, storing orbital information defining the locations of all of the orbiting satellites in the system at any particular time, and including in the radio signal the unique identifier associated with the transmitting satellite.

A device for mitigating satellite navigation spoofing includes processing circuitry which detects correlation peaks for PRNs in a satellite navigation signal. The TOAs of subframes of navigation messages associated with each of correlation peaks are recorded and analyzed to determine if they fall within a specified time window. Based on the analysis, the correlation peaks are classified as legitimate or as spoofed. A correct geographic location is computed from the navigation data associated with the legitimate correlation peaks. Corresponding methods for mitigating satellite navigation spoofing may be embodied in a hardware-based GNSS receiver and in a software-based GNSS receiver.

A device for mitigating satellite navigation spoofing includes processing circuitry which detects correlation peaks for PRNs in a satellite navigation signal. The TOAs of subframes of navigation messages associated with each of correlation peaks are recorded and analyzed to determine if they fall within a specified time window. Based on the analysis, the correlation peaks are classified as legitimate or as spoofed. A correct geographic location is computed from the navigation data associated with the legitimate correlation peaks. Corresponding methods for mitigating satellite navigation spoofing may be embodied in a hardware-based GNSS receiver and in a software-based GNSS receiver.

A method for position calculation of an antenna is provided. The method comprises calculating ranges between the antenna and the at least three transponders. The calculation includes range measurements between an antenna and at least three transponders. Respective positions of the at least three transponders are known. The method further comprises providing a first coordinate of three coordinates. The three coordinates indicate a position of the antenna. The method further comprises calculating second and third coordinates of the three coordinates based on the calculated ranges between the antenna and the at least three transponders. The method further comprises predicting ranges between the antenna and the at least three transponders based on the provided first coordinate and the calculated two coordinates. The method further comprises performing an optimization process based on the calculated ranges and the predicted ranges to infer an optimized position of the antenna. Further, a system for position calculation and an air vehicle comprising the system are provided.

A mobile object according to the present technology includes a sensor, a map location estimation unit, a relative location estimation unit, a relative location estimation unit, a GNSS reception unit, and an absolute location estimation unit. The sensor acquires surrounding information. The map location estimation unit estimates a self location in a local map on the basis of an output of the sensor. The GNSS reception unit receives global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information using a first carrier phase distance. The absolute location estimation unit estimates a self absolute location on the basis of the GNSS positioning information using the first carrier phase distance, GNSS positioning information using a second carrier phase distance, and a relative location, the GNSS positioning information using the second carrier phase distance being received by another mobile object.

A mobile object according to the present technology includes a sensor, a map location estimation unit, a relative location estimation unit, a relative location estimation unit, a GNSS reception unit, and an absolute location estimation unit. The sensor acquires surrounding information. The map location estimation unit estimates a self location in a local map on the basis of an output of the sensor. The GNSS reception unit receives global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning information using a first carrier phase distance. The absolute location estimation unit estimates a self absolute location on the basis of the GNSS positioning information using the first carrier phase distance, GNSS positioning information using a second carrier phase distance, and a relative location, the GNSS positioning information using the second carrier phase distance being received by another mobile object.

A method performed by a target device to obtain positioning assistance data from a location server is provided. The target device and the location server are operating in a wireless communications network. The target device transmits a request to the location server. The request is a request for positioning assistance data and provides first logical position information. The target device obtains positioning assistance data from the location server. The positioning assistance data is based on the first logical position information. When being associated with a second logical position, the target device transmits a request to the location server. The request requests for positioning assistance data and provides second logical position information. The target device obtains positioning assistance data from the location server. The positioning assistance data is based on the second logical position information.