Back to results
US 2009/0153396 A1Published application
System and Method for Using GPS Interferometry to Determine Atmospheric Conditions
AssigneeThe Government of the US, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsThomas L. Ainsworth, Gerald Nedoluha
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for determining a bending angle and/or the presence of atmospheric ducting. An array of antennas is used in order to form an interferometer. The interferometer receives signals from GPS satellites and uses the index of infraction in order to determine a bending angle of the GPS signals and/or the presence of atmospheric ducting.
Claims21
A system for determining the presence of atmospheric ducting comprising:
- a first antenna for receiving GPS signals;
- a second antenna positioned above the first antenna, wherein the second antenna receives GPS signals;
- a receiver operably connected to the first and second antennae;
- and
- a GPS satellite for transmitting GPS signals.
2 more elements
A method for determining a bending angle comprising:
- receiving a first GPS signal from a first GPS satellite at a receiver;
- determining an apparent position of the first GPS satellite from the first GPS signal;
- determining a true position of the first GPS satellite from the first GPS signal and an interferometer;
- and
- determining the bending angle by calculating the difference between the apparent position and the true position of the first GPS satellite.
2 more elements
A method for determining the presence of atmospheric ducting comprising:
- positioning a first antenna,
- positioning a second antenna above the first antenna, wherein the distance between the first antenna and the second antenna is determined by receiving a first signal from a first GPS satellite at a receiver, wherein the first GPS satellite is located at an apparent position greater than 15° above the horizon;
- receiving a second GPS signal from a second GPS satellite at the receiver;
- determining an apparent position of the second GPS satellite from the second GPS signal;
- determining a true position of the second GPS satellite from the second GPS signal;
- determining a bending angle by calculating the difference between the apparent position and the true position of the second GPS satellite, and
- determining the presence of atmospheric ducting using the bending angle.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.