METHOD FOR OPERATING A CORRECTION SERVICE SYSTEM, CORRECTION SERVICE SYSTEM, METHOD FOR OPERATING A SATELLITE-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM, AND SATELLITE-BASED NAVIGATION SYSTEM

Abstract

For operating a correction service system for a satellite-based navigation system that is configured to determine a position of user devices, where the correction service system includes a plurality of reference stations having known and fixed coordinates and a plurality of receivers, a method includes operating a first group of the reference stations and the plurality of receivers, ascertaining a first correction value based on the satellite signals received by the first group of reference stations and their coordinates, ascertaining a second correction value based on the signals received by the plurality of receivers, ascertaining, based on the first and second correction values, a third correction value that is provided to the user devices.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A method for operating a correction service system that includes a plurality of reference stations at fixed coordinates of a coordinate system and includes a plurality of receivers, the method comprising: operating a first group of the plurality of reference stations and the plurality of receivers to receive satellite signals from a plurality of satellites of a satellite-based navigation system, wherein the satellite-based navigation system is configured to determine a position of user devices of the satellite-based navigation system; ascertaining at least one first correction value based on (a) the satellite signals received by each of the reference stations of the first group of the plurality of reference stations and (b) the respective fixed coordinates of the first group of the plurality of reference stations; ascertaining at least one second correction value based on the satellite signals received by the plurality of receivers; ascertaining at least one third correction value based on the at least one first correction value and the at least one second correction value; and outputting the at least one third correction value to the user devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein inconsistencies during transmission of the satellite signals as a result of at least one of ionospheric and tropospheric conditions are corrected using at least one of (a) the at least one second correction value and (b) the at least one third correction value.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein: each receiver of a first group of the plurality of receivers is a correction device respectively allocated to a respective one of the user devices and is controlled to monitor the received satellite signals for an unexpected satellite signal, in response to which an item of information concerning the unexpected satellite signal is generated; the at least one second correction value is ascertained based on the generated information concerning the unexpected satellite signal; and the at least one second correction value is ascertained based only on the satellite signals received by the receivers of the first group of the plurality of receivers.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of receivers on the basis of which the at least one second correction value is ascertained is a second group of the reference stations, all of the reference stations of which differ from the reference stations of the first group of the reference stations, and the at least one second correction value is further based on the fixed coordinates of the second group of the reference stations.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein each of at least one of the second and third correction values is a value by which a satellite signal from one or more of the satellites is corrected.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the outputting is performed one or both of (a) a communications satellite and (b) a mobile telephony network.

16. A method for operating a satellite-based navigation system that includes a plurality of satellites, a plurality of user devices, and a correction service system, the correction service system including a plurality of reference stations at fixed coordinates of a coordinate system and a plurality of receivers, the method comprising: operating a first group of the plurality of reference stations and the plurality of receivers to receive satellite signals from the plurality of satellites; ascertaining at least one first correction value based on the satellite signals received by each of the reference stations of the first group of the plurality of reference stations and the respective fixed coordinates of the first group of the plurality of reference stations; ascertaining at least one second correction value based on the satellite signals received by the plurality of receivers; ascertaining at least one third correction value based on the at least one first correction value and the at least one second correction value; and outputting the at least one third correction value to the user devices.

17. A correction service system comprising a plurality of reference stations at fixed coordinates; and a plurality of receivers; wherein the correction service system is configured to perform a method, the method comprising: operating a first group of the plurality of reference stations and the plurality of receivers to receive satellite signals from a plurality of satellites of a satellite-based navigation system, wherein the satellite-based navigation system is configured to determine a position of user devices of the satellite-based navigation system; ascertaining at least one first correction value based on (a) the satellite signals received by each of the reference stations of the first group of the plurality of reference stations and (b) the respective fixed coordinates of the first group of the plurality of reference stations; ascertaining at least one second correction value based on the satellite signals received by the plurality of receivers; ascertaining at least one third correction value based on the at least one first correction value and the at least one second correction value; and outputting the at least one third correction value to the user devices.

18. A satellite-based navigation system comprising: a plurality of satellites; user devices, wherein the satellite-based navigation system is configured to determine a position of user devices of the satellite-based navigation system; and a correction service system that includes a plurality of reference stations at fixed coordinates and a plurality of receivers, wherein the correction service system is configured to perform a method, the method comprising: operating a first group of the plurality of reference stations and the plurality of receivers to receive satellite signals from the plurality of satellites; ascertaining at least one first correction value based on (a) the satellite signals received by each of the reference stations of the first group of the plurality of reference stations and (b) the respective fixed coordinates of the first group of the plurality of reference stations; ascertaining at least one second correction value based on the satellite signals received by the plurality of receivers; ascertaining at least one third correction value based on the at least one first correction value and the at least one second correction value; and outputting the at least one third correction value to the user devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a correction service system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a flowchart that illustrates a method for operating a correction service system, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a correction service system 1. Correction service system 1 is part of a satellite-based navigation system 16 for determining a position of user devices in a coordinate system. In addition, satellite-based navigation system 16 includes such user devices 2. For reasons of clarity, only one of user devices 2 has been given a reference numeral. In this instance, user devices 2 are developed as a navigation unit in a motor vehicle by way of example. Satellite-based navigation system 16 additionally encompasses a plurality of satellites, which are not shown here.

[0023] Correction service system 1 includes a plurality of reference stations 3 having known and fixed coordinates, which are preferably situated in a network of reference stations 3. For better clarity, only one of reference stations 3 has been provided with a reference numeral. In addition, correction service system 1 has a plurality of receivers. The multiple receivers are preferably at least partially configured as hardware- and/or software-based correction devices 17, each being allocated to one of user devices 2. In the example embodiment shown here, correction devices 17 are integrally developed with a user device 2 and/or connected thereto in terms of communications technology. Alternatively or additionally, the multiple receivers are preferably at least partially developed as reference stations 3.

[0024] In the example embodiment shown here, correction service system 1 includes a data processor 4 and a backend server 5. More specifically, data processor 4 is developed as a central data processor 4 in this instance. In addition, correction service system 1 preferably has at least one—and in this case, exactly one—mobile telephony network 6. Correction devices 17 and preferably user devices 2 are linked to mobile telephony network 6 via a suitable transmission and receiving device 7 of correction devices 17. Alternatively, transmission and receiving device 7 is allocated to user devices 2. A connection of correction devices 17 and the respectively allocated user devices 2 to mobile telephony network 6 is preferably ensured on account of the preferably provided communications link between correction devices 17 and the respectively allocated user devices 2. In addition, correction service system 1 preferably includes at least one—and in this instance, exactly one—communications satellite 8.

[0025] In this example embodiment, a first communications link 9 is provided between the plurality of reference stations 3 and data processor 4, by way of which the plurality of reference stations 3 and data processor 4 are preferably connected in terms of communications technology. Using first communications link 9, preferably data and information of the plurality of reference stations 3 are transmittable to data processor 4. In addition, it is preferably possible to transmit data and information from data processor 4 to the plurality of reference stations 3. Moreover, a second communications link 10 is preferably provided between data processor 4 and user devices 2. More specifically, data processor 4 is in a communications connection with at least one—in this instance, exactly one—transmission station 11 of correction service system 1, transmission station 11 being able to communicate with communications satellite 8, and communications satellite 8 being able to communicate with user devices 2. Using second communications link 10, data and information are preferably transmittable from data processor 4 to user devices 2. In addition, a third communications link 12 is preferably provided between data processor 4 and correction devices 17 as well as user devices 2 in this example embodiment. More specifically, data processor 4 is connected to backend server 5 for communications purposes, backend server 5 is connected to mobile telephony network 6 for communications purposes, and mobile telephony network 6 is connected through a communications link via the respective transmission and receiving devices 7 to respective correction devices 17 and user devices 2. Using third communications link 12, data and information are preferably able to be transmitted, especially back and forth, between at least two devices which are selected from a group made up of data processor 4, backend server 5, mobile telephony network 6, transmission and receiving device 7, correction devices 17 and user devices 2.

[0026] Advantageous correction service system 1 is developed to carry out a method of the type described in the following text.

[0027] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a method for operating advantageous correction service system 1 for satellite-based navigation system 16, which is configured to determine a position of user devices 2, the navigation system including a plurality of reference stations 3 in a coordinate system having a plurality of known and fixed coordinates. Identical or functionally equivalent elements have been provided with matching reference numerals so that reference is made to the previous description in this regard. Within the framework of the advantageous method, a first group of the plurality of reference stations 3 and a plurality of receivers of correction service system 1 are operated to receive satellite signals from a plurality of satellites of the satellite-based navigation system 16. At least one first correction value 13 is ascertained as a function of the satellite signals received by reference stations 3 of the first group of the plurality of reference stations 3, and as a function of the known coordinates of the respective reference station 3 of the first group of the plurality of reference stations 3. Using the satellite signals received by the plurality of receivers, at least one second correction value 14 will then be ascertained. At least one third correction value 15 is ascertained as a function of the at least one first correction value 13 and the at least one second correction value 14. The at least one third correction value 15 is then provided to user devices 2 of satellite-based navigation system 16.

[0028] Preferably, inconsistencies during the transmission of the satellite signals as a result of certain conditions in the ionosphere or the troposphere, most preferably in the ionosphere and the troposphere, are corrected using the at least one second correction value 14. Alternatively or additionally, inconsistencies during the transmission of the satellite signals as a result of certain conditions in the ionosphere or the troposphere, most preferably in the ionosphere and the troposphere, are corrected, preferably using the at least one third correction value 15.

[0029] It is preferably provided that receivers of a first group of the plurality of receivers, which are developed as a hardware- and/or software-based correction device 17 of correction service system 1 allocated to a user device 2 in each case, are controlled to monitor the received satellite signals for an unexpected satellite signal, and, when an unexpected satellite signal is detected, an item of information regarding the unexpected satellite signal is generated, and the at least one second correction value 14 is ascertained taking the item of information into account. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second correction value 14 is preferably ascertained taking into account only the particular satellite signals that are received by the receivers of the first group of the plurality of receivers developed as a correction device 17 in each case.

[0030] The at least one second correction value 14 is preferably ascertained as a function of the satellite signals received by receivers of a second group of the plurality of receivers, which are developed as a reference station 3 of a second group of the plurality of reference stations, and as a function of known, preferably fixed coordinates of the respective receivers of the second group of the plurality of receivers. The second group of the plurality of receivers most preferably differs at least partially from the first group of the plurality of receivers. Most preferably, the second group of the plurality of reference stations 3 also differs at least partially from the first group of the plurality of reference stations 3.

[0031] In an example embodiment, the at least one second correction value 14 is specified for satellite signals from one or more satellites of the plurality of satellites in each case. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one third correction value 15 is preferably specified for satellite signals from one or more satellites of the plurality of satellites in each case.

[0032] The at least one second correction value 14 is made available to user devices 2 preferably using at least one means, which is selected from among a group made up of communications satellite 8 and mobile telephony network 6. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one third correction value 15 is made available to user devices 2 preferably using at least one means, which is selected from a group made up of communications satellite 8 and mobile telephony network 6.

[0033] A method of the afore-described type is preferably carried out within the framework of a method for operating a satellite-based navigation system 16 having a plurality of satellites, a plurality of user devices 2, and a correction service system 1, correction service system 1 including a plurality of reference stations having known and fixed coordinates in a coordinate system and a plurality of receivers. In the process, a first group of the plurality of reference stations 3 and the plurality of receivers of correction service system 1 are operated in order to receive satellite signals of a plurality of satellites of satellite-based navigation system 16. At least one first correction value 13 is ascertained as a function of the satellite signals received by reference stations 3 of the first group of the plurality of reference stations 3, and as a function of the known coordinates of the respective reference station 3 of the first group of the plurality of reference stations 3.

[0034] In summary, it has been shown that it is possible to realize a more precise position determination and navigation of user devices 2 in an effective and cost-advantageous manner using an advantageous method for operating correction service system 1 and using correction service system 1.