US 2023/0417557 A1 · Improved Timing and Trilateration System for Space Applications and Associated Methods

Abstract

A pulsar-based timing and lateration system includes a detector system. In according with certain embodiments, the detector system includes a plurality of detectors, each one configured for detecting X-ray photons and generating output signals according to the X-ray photons detected, and an electronics unit for receiving and analyzing the output signals from the detectors. The electronics unit includes a processor for analyzing the output signals received from the detectors. A first detector is aimed toward a first pulsar such that the X-ray photons detected at the first detector includes pulsar signals from the first pulsar. The processor includes a memory for storing a library of data related to electromagnetic emissions of known pulsars. The processor isolates the pulsar signals from the first pulsar, and determines position and velocity of the system by comparing the isolated pulsar signals to the library of data.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A pulsar-based timing and lateration system, the system comprising:

a detector system including
a plurality of detectors, each one of the plurality of detectors is configured for detecting X-ray photons and generating output signals according to the X-ray photons so detected, and
an electronics unit for receiving and analyzing the output signals from the plurality of detectors,
wherein the electronics unit includes a processor for analyzing the output signals received from the plurality of detectors,
wherein a first one of the plurality of detectors is aimed toward a first pulsar such that the X-ray photons detected at that one of the plurality of detectors includes pulsar signals from the first pulsar,
wherein the processor includes a memory for storing a library of data related to electromagnetic emissions of known pulsars, and
wherein the processor is configured for
isolating the pulsar signals from the first pulsar, and
determining position and velocity of the system by comparing the pulsar signals from the first pulsar so isolated to the library of data.

6 more elements

A method for using a pulsar-based timing and lateration system, the pulsar-based timing and lateration system including a detector system, the method comprising:

determining a plurality of pulsars for use in a positioning process;
using detector system for detecting the plurality of pulsars;
further using the detector system for determining location data of the detector system with respect to the plurality of pulsars.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Improved Timing and Trilateration System for Space Applications and Associated Methods

Life of this patent

Improved Timing and Trilateration System for Space Applications and Associated Methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19