U.S. patent application number 13/188033 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for method and system for customized full ephemeris compatible with standard agps network devices.
Invention is credited to Manuel del Castillo, Andrei Kosolobov, Javier de Salas Lasagabaster.
Application Number | 20110273330 13/188033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41510719 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110273330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
del Castillo; Manuel ; et
al. |
November 10, 2011 |
Method and System for Customized Full Ephemeris Compatible With
Standard AGPS Network Devices
Abstract
Aspects of a method and system for customized full ephemeris
compatible with standard AGPS network devices allows a GPS enabled
handset to receive real-time full ephemeris from an AGPS server for
calculating a position fix. The real-time full ephemeris may be
generated at the AGPS server in response to one or more request for
real-time full ephemeris from the GPS enabled handset. The AGPS
server may be configured to provide fresh full ephemeris generated
at smaller intervals such as every 10-15 minutes as approximated
real-time full ephemeris. The generated real-time full ephemeris or
fresh full ephemeris may be communicated to the GPS enabled handset
periodically or aperiodically. Various predicted real-time full
ephemeris or predicted fresh full ephemeris compatible with various
standards may be generated via Short Term Orbits (STO)
technology.
Inventors: |
del Castillo; Manuel;
(Madrid, ES) ; Kosolobov; Andrei; (San Jose,
CA) ; Lasagabaster; Javier de Salas; (Madrid,
ES) |
Family ID: |
41510719 |
Appl. No.: |
13/188033 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12250329 |
Oct 13, 2008 |
7986267 |
|
|
13188033 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
342/357.46 ;
342/357.64 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 19/05 20130101;
G01S 19/258 20130101; G01S 19/27 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
342/357.46 ;
342/357.64 |
International
Class: |
G01S 19/09 20100101
G01S019/09; G01S 19/25 20100101 G01S019/25 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method, comprising: receiving by a device that is operable in
a satellite positioning system, real-time full ephemeris from an
assistance data server, wherein the real-time full ephemeris is
generated by the assistance data server in response to one or more
requests from the device; and generating by the device, location
information based on the real-time full ephemeris received from the
assistance data server.
22. The method of claim 21, comprising generating by the device the
one or more requests for the real-time full ephemeris.
23. The method of claim 22, comprising communicating the one or
more requests for the real-time full ephemeris from the device to
the assistance data server.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the device is based on a set validation time.
25. The method of claim 21, comprising periodically receiving the
real-time full ephemeris by the device from the assistance data
server.
26. The method of claim 21, comprising aperiodically receiving the
real-time full ephemeris by the device from the assistance data
server.
27. The method of claim 21, comprising generating the location
information based on the real-time full ephemeris received from the
assistance data server and on positioning measurements performed by
the device.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the device is based on Short Term Orbits (STO)
information.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the device is generated by the assistance data server
according to a time period that is less than a satellite ephemeris
updating period.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the device comprises a format that is compatible with
one or more of GSM/UMTS, WiFi, WiMAX, and OMA SUPL.
31. A system, comprising: one or more circuits for use in a device
that is operable in a satellite positioning system, wherein: the
one or more circuits are operable to receive real-time full
ephemeris from an assistance data server; the real-time full
ephemeris is generated by the assistance data server in response to
one or more requests from the device; and the one or more circuits
are operable to generate location information based on the
real-time full ephemeris received from the assistance data
server.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more circuits are
operable to generate the one or more requests for the real-time
full ephemeris.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the one or more circuits are
operable to communicate the one or more requests for the real-time
full ephemeris from the device to the assistance data server.
34. The system of claim 31, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the one or more circuits is based on a set validation
time.
35. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more circuits are
operable to periodically receive the real-time full ephemeris from
the assistance data server.
36. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more circuits are
operable to aperiodically receive the real-time full ephemeris from
the assistance data server.
37. The system of claim 31, wherein the one or more circuits are
operable to generate the location information based on the
real-time full ephemeris received from the assistance data server
and on positioning measurements performed by the device.
38. The system of claim 31, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the one or more circuits is based on Short Term Orbits
(STO) information.
39. The system of claim 31, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the one or more circuits is generated by the assistance
data server according to a time period that is less than a
satellite ephemeris updating period.
40. The system of claim 31, wherein the real-time full ephemeris
received by the one or more circuits comprises a format that is
compatible with one or more of GSM/UMTS, WiFi, WiMAX, and OMA SUPL.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/250,329 filed on Oct. 13, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to signal
processing for satellite navigation systems. More specifically,
certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system
for customized full ephemeris compatible with standard AGPS network
devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The market for Location-Based Services (LBS) is potentially
tremendous. Location-Based Services may comprise services where
information about the location of users or assets may be required.
One of state-of-the art technology driving the LBS market today is
Assisted GPS (AGPS). This technology combines satellite positioning
and communication networks such as mobile networks to reach
performance levels allowing the wide deployment of Location-Based
Services. AGPS uses assistance data provided from an AGPS server
via, for example, a mobile telephony network, to speed up the
process of acquiring a position fix especially in a weak signal
environment. The AGPS server has access to a reference network of
GPS receivers that are placed in ideal locations (direct
line-of-sight to satellites). The reference network may be used as
a source for providing the assistance data. Depending on the AGPS
server and GPS receiver capabilities, the assistance data may
comprise various elements such as ephemeris data. The ephemeris
data may be valid only for the visibility period of each detected
satellite, which may be approximately 4 hours assuming that the
receiver is static and the satellite is just rising above the
horizon.
[0004] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A method and/or system for generating temporary ephemeris,
substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at
least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the
claims.
[0006] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of
the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated
embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary assistance GPS
satellite navigation system, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary AGPS server,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary GPS enabled
device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating real-time
full ephemeris assistance data acquisition procedure, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating fresh full
ephemeris assistance data acquisition procedure, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a
method and system for customized full ephemeris compatible with
standard AGPS network devices. Various aspects of the invention may
enable a GPS enabled handset to receive real-time full ephemeris
assistance data from an AGPS server. The GPS enabled handset may
generate location information based on the received real-time full
ephemeris. The real-time full ephemeris may be generated at the
AGPS server in response to one or more request for the real-time
full ephemeris from the GPS enabled handset. The GPS enabled
handset may communicate the one or more request for the real-time
full ephemeris to the AGPS server over various communication
networks. In return, the AGPS server may communicate the generated
real-time full ephemeris to the GPS enabled handset. The AGPS
server may be configured to provide fresh full ephemeris as
approximated real-time full ephemeris by generating full ephemeris
at much smaller intervals, which may be much less than a satellite
ephemeris updating period. The generated real-time full ephemeris
or fresh full ephemeris may be communicated to the GPS enabled
handset, either periodically or aperiodically. Various predicted
real-time full ephemeris or predicted fresh full ephemeris may be
generated via Short Term Orbits (STO) technology. The generated STO
data may be sent to the GPS enabled handset in a format compatible
with GSM/UMTS, and/or WiFi, and/or WiMAX, and/or OMA SUPL.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary assistance GPS
satellite navigation system, in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an AGPS
satellite navigation system 100, comprising a GPS enabled handset
110, a plurality of satellites, of which satellites 120a, 120b, and
120c may be illustrated, a communication network 130, an AGPS
server 140, and a WWRN 150.
[0014] The GPS enabled handset 110 may comprise suitable logic
circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to receive satellite
transmission signals from the GPS satellites 120a through 120c to
determine the position of the GPS enabled handset 110. The GPS
enabled handset 110 may be capable of transmitting and/or receiving
radio signals across the communication network 130 such as, for
example, 3GPP, 3GPP2, WiFi, and WiMAX. In order to determine a fast
position fix, the GPS enabled handset 110 may be enabled to acquire
AGPS assistance data from the AGPS server 140 via the communication
network 130. In this regard, the GPS enabled handset 110 may be
operable to generate one or more AGPS assistance data requests to
the AGPS server 140, may be responded by the AGPS server 140 with
real-time full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris. The real-time
full ephemeris may indicate the full ephemeris generated at the
time when the AGPS server 140 may receive respective AGPS
assistance data requests, while the fresh full ephemeris may
represent the latest full ephemeris generated periodically with a
small period of time of, for example, 10-15 minutes or so.
[0015] The GPS satellites 120a through 120c may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to generate and
broadcast suitable radio-frequency (RF) signals. The broadcast RF
signals may be received by a GPS satellite receiver integrated in
the GPS enabled handset 110. The received broadcast RF signals may
be utilized to determine a navigation information comprising, for
example, position, velocity, and clock information of the GPS
enabled handset 110. The broadcast RF signals may comprise full
ephemeris information, which may be updated every two hours and
valid for 4 hours.
[0016] The communication network 130 may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to provide various data
services on a large-scale basis by using a particular technology
such as Ethernet, GSM, UMTS, WiFi, or WiMAX. The communication
network 130 may be a wired high-speed connection such as an
Ethernet network, or may be a wireless network such as, for
example, a GSM network, or a WiFi network, or a WiMAX network.
[0017] The AGPS server 140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry
and/or code that may have access to a GPS reference network such
as, for example, the WWRN 150, to collect GPS satellite data by
tracking GPS constellations through the WWRN 150. The AGPS server
140 may be enabled to generate AGPS assistance data, which may be
communicated to the GPS enabled handset 110 such as the cell phone
110c to compute its location. In addition, the AGPS server 140 may
be enabled to use Short Term Orbits (STO) technology to provide
accurate AGPS assistance data for all healthy satellites, which may
be valid for 4 hours or 6 hours, for instance, in the future. This
may enable the benefits of AGPS technology to be realized by the
GPS enabled device 110 when the GPS enabled device may temporarily
be out of range of the communication network 130.
[0018] The AGPS assistance data may comprise various elements such
as full ephemeris data. The life cycle of the full ephemeris may be
2 hours and may be extended to 4 hours, for instance, via STO.
Devices that utilize the full ephemeris for navigation may
simultaneously request new full ephemeris from the AGPS server 140.
Since many devices may simultaneously execute the request for full
ephemeris, this may result in a peak load at the AGPS server 140.
In this regard, the AGPS server 140 may be enabled to provide
customized full ephemeris by generating full ephemeris in real time
for every user and predicting the customized full ephemeris for
next 4 or 6 hours, for example, starting at the time where
respective connections may be set up for AGPS assistance data.
Different users may connect to the AGPS server 140 at different
times. This may help the distribution to load on the AGPS server
140.
[0019] Instead of generating full ephemeris in real time, the AGPS
server 140 may be configured to generate full ephemeris at much
smaller time intervals, for example, every 10-15 minutes or so and
predict the full ephemeris for next 4 or 6 hours, for example,
starting at the points corresponding to the beginnings of
respective time intervals. The latest generated full ephemeris (the
fresh full ephemeris) may be delivered in response to respective
AGPS assistance data requests. At the AGPS server 140, the
validation time period associated with generated real-time full
ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris may be configurable, for example,
4 hours, 6 hours, and up to 10 days. The predicted real-time full
ephemeris or the predicted fresh full ephemeris associated with
shorter validation time such as 4 hours or 6 hours may be called
Short Term Orbits (STO) technology.
[0020] The AGPS server 140 may communicate with the communication
network 130 via either a user-plane or a control-plane to deliver
the generated up-to-date AGPS assistance data to corresponding
users. The AGPS server 140 may support messaging in exemplary
formats that may be compatible with telecommunication networks such
as GSM/UMTS, CDMA, WiFi, WiMAX, and variants thereof. For example,
the AGPS server 140 may be GSM/UMTS standard compliant by
supporting messaging in RRLP format, PCAP interface and OMA SUPL
v1.0.
[0021] The WWRN 150 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or
code that may be enabled to collect and distribute data for GPS
satellites such as 120a through 120c on a continuous basis. The
WWRN 150 may comprise a plurality of GPS reference receivers
located around the world to provide AGPS coverage all the time in
both home network and visited network. The WWRN 150 may users of
GPS enabled devices such as the GPS enabled handset 110 to roam
with their LBS anywhere in the world. The WWRN 150 may ensure high
levels of availability, reliability, and performance.
[0022] In operation, the GPS enabled handset 110 may need full
ephemeris information for navigation and may generate an AGPS
assistance data request to the AGPS server 140 for required full
ephemeris. For example, the GPS enabled handset 110 may be
executing a task and may need to compute a position fix more
quickly. Accordingly, the GPS enabled handset 110 may request the
request full ephemeris assistance data from the AGPS server 140.
The full ephemeris assistance data may be generated at the AGPS
server 140 based on the GPS satellite data collected through the
WWRN 150. To minimize and optimize assistance data request load on
the AGPS server 140, the AGPS server 140 may generate and provide
real-time full ephemeris assistance data every time it receives an
ephemeris assistance data request from a GPS enabled device. The
AGPS server 140 may also be configured to provide fresh full
ephemeris in response to the AGPS assistance data request from the
user. In instances when STO may be enabled, the generated AGPS
assistance data, real-time full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris,
may be in the form of STO valid for 6 hours, for example. The AGPS
server 140 may communicate the generated AGPS assistance data with
the GPS enabled handset 110 in either a user-plan or a
control-plane via the communication network 130 which may be
GSM/UMTS, and/or WiFi, and/or WiMAX. The GPS enabled handset 110
may use the generated AGPS assistance data to calculate a position
fix even when it may be temporarily out of network range.
[0023] FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary AGPS server,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to
FIG. 2, there is shown an AGPS server 140 comprising a processor
202, memory and/or storage 204.
[0024] The processor 202 of the AGPS server 140 may comprise
suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to
generate AGPS assistance data based on GPS satellite data collected
from a GPS reference network such as, for example, the WWRN 150.
The AGPS assistance data may comprise elements such as full
ephemeris generated in real-time whenever a request for AGPS
assistance data is received from a user. The full ephemeris may
also be generated at short time intervals, for example, every 10-15
minutes or so, and the fresh full ephemeris may be provided to a
GPS enabled device whenever an AGPS assistance data request is
received from the GPS enable device by the AGPS server 140. The
processor 202 may be enabled to communicate with, for example, the
communication network 130 by using various network interfaces such
as 3G in either a user-plane (data transmission) or a control-plane
(signaling) to delivery up-to-date AGPS assistance data such as
real-time full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris, and/or respective
STO, to corresponding user terminals such as the GPS enabled device
110.
[0025] The memory 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
and/or code that enable storing information such as executable
instructions and data that may be utilized by the processor 202.
The executable instructions may comprise algorithms that may be
enabled to calculate assistance data using acquired satellite data
from the WWRN 150 automatically or upon request/signaled. The data
may comprise various calculated assistance data. The memory 204 may
comprise RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash
memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
[0026] In operation, a navigating GPS enable device such as the GPS
enabled handset 110 may be enabled to request AGPS assistance data
from the AGPS server 140. The processor 202 of the AGPS server 140
may be enabled to respond to the request for up-to-date AGPS
assistance data. The response may comprise AGPS assistance data
calculated by the processor 202 and resident in the memory 204. The
processor 202 may be enabled to provide either real-time full
ephemeris assistance data or fresh full ephemeris assistance data
together with respective STO to the GPS enabled handset 110. The
STO data may be valid for 4 hours or 6 hours, for example. The
processor 202 may communicate with the communication network 130 in
either a user-plane or a control-plane to delivery up-to-date AGPS
assistance data to corresponding user terminals such as the GPS
enabled device 110, accordingly.
[0027] FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary GPS enabled
device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 2B, there is shown the GPS enabled handset 110
comprising an antenna 206, a GPS front end 208a, a
telecommunication front end 208b, a processor 210, and a memory
212.
[0028] The antenna 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry
and/or code that may be enabled to receive L band signals from a
plurality of GPS satellites such as the GPS 120a through 120c and
may be capable of transmitting and/or receiving radio signals over,
for example, the 3G radio communication system, for communications
among 3G devices.
[0029] The GPS front end 208a may comprise suitable logic,
circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to receive GPS satellite
broadcast signals via the antenna 206 and convert them to GPS
baseband signals, which may be suitable for further processing in
the processor 210 for a navigation solution, whether GPS based or
AGPS based.
[0030] The telecommunication front end 208b may comprise suitable
logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to transmit and/or
receive radio signals over a telecommunication network such as a 3G
network via the antenna 206 and convert them to corresponding
baseband signals, which may be suitable for further processing in
the processor 210. In this regard, the received radio signals may
comprise AGPS assistance data with various elements such as
real-time full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris, generated from
the AGPS server 140 in response to an AGPS assistance data request
from the user. In instances where STO technology may be enabled at
the AGPS server 140, the received AGPS assistance data may comprise
STO, for instance.
[0031] The processor 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry
and/or code that may be enabled to process received satellite
signals as well as signals received from a telecommunication
network. The processor 210 may be configured to extract
navigational information from each received satellite signal to
compute a position fix for the GPS enabled handset 110. The
processor 210 may be programmed to calculate the position fix by
combining local GPS measurements and AGPS assistance data
comprising real-time full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris. When
STO assistance data may be available, the processor 210 may be
enabled to calculate a position fix for the GPS enabled handset 110
based on local GPS measurements and the STO assistance data even
without a network connection between the GPS enabled handset 110
and the AGPS server 140.
[0032] The memory 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry,
and/or code that may enable storing of information such as
executable instructions and data that may be utilized by the
processor 210. The executable instructions may comprise algorithms
that may be applied to calculate a position fix using local GPS
measurements and the AGPS assistance data or the STO assistance
data from the AGPS server 140. The data may comprise local GPS
measurements and AGPS assistance data or the STO assistance data.
The local GPS measurements may be associated to the satellite
signals directly received from the GPS satellite 120a through 120c.
The AGPS assistance data or the STO assistance data may be from the
AGPS server 140 and received through the telecommunication front
end 206b via the communication network 130. The memory 212 may
comprise RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash
memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
[0033] In operation, a plurality of signals may be received at the
antenna 206 coupled to the GPS enabled handset 110. The received
plurality of signals may be measured and communicated to the GPS
front end 208a or the telecommunication front end 208b,
respectively, depending on the type of received signals. The GPS
front end 208a may convert the received GPS signals into
corresponding baseband signals and pass to the processor 210. The
telecommunication front end 208b may convert the received
telecommunication signals into corresponding baseband signals and
pass to the processor 210. The received telecommunication signals
may comprise AGPS assistance data comprising real-time full
ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris generated from the AGPS server
140. The AGPS assistance data may also comprise STO assistance data
when STO is enabled. The received AGPS assistance data may be
stored in the memory 212. In instances where the user of the GPS
enabled handset 110 may need to calculate its position fix, the
processor 206 may determine a position fix for the GPS enabled
handset 110 based on the AGPS assistance data stored in the memory
210, and the local GPS measurements from the GPS front end 204a,
respectively.
[0034] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating real-time
full ephemeris assistance data acquisition procedure, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, where the
exemplary steps may start with the step 302, where the AGPS server
140 may be configured by setting STO assistance data validation
time T.sub.STO which may be 4 hours and 6 hours, for example. In
step 304, the AGPS server 140 may determine whether a request for
AGPS assistance data may be received from handsets such as the GPS
enabled handset 110. In instances where a request for AGPS
assistance data may be received from the GPS enabled handset 110c,
then in step 306, the AGPS server 140 may generate STO assistance
data starting from the instance of receiving the AGPS assistance
data request from the user of GPS enabled handset 110c. The
generated STO assistance data may comprise full ephemeris which may
be valid for T.sub.STO. The full ephemeris may be generated in
real-time starting at the time when the AGPS server 140 may receive
the request from the GPS enabled handset 110c. In step 308, the GPS
enabled handset 110c may receive the generated STO assistance data
from the AGPS server 140. The exemplary steps may go back to the
step 304 for processing the next AGPS assistance data request. In
step 304, in instances where no request for AGPS assistance data
may be received at the AGPS server 140, then the exemplary steps
may remain in step 304.
[0035] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating fresh full
ephemeris assistance data acquisition procedure, in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, where the
exemplary steps may start with the step 402, where the AGPS server
140 may be configured by setting STO assistance data validation
time T.sub.STO and an assistance data generation period
T.sub.Asist. In step 404, the AGPS server 140 may generate AGPS
assistance data (full ephemeris) every assistance data generation
period T.sub.Asist. In step 406, the AGPS server 140 may determine
whether a request for GPS assistance data may be received from
handsets such as the GPS enabled handset 110. In instances where a
request for AGPS assistance data may be received from the GPS
enabled handset 110c, then in step 408, the AGPS server 140 may
calculate STO assistance data starting from the beginning of the
current assistance data generation period T.sub.Asist. The
calculated STO data may be valid in T.sub.STO. In step 410, the
AGPS server 140 may communicate with the GPS enabled handset 110c
by downloading the fresh (latest) generated STO assistance data
(full ephemeris) to the GPS enabled handset 110c. The exemplary
steps may go back to the step 404. In step 406, in instances where
no request for GPS assistance data may be received, then the
exemplary steps may remain in step 404.
[0036] Aspects of a method and system for customized full ephemeris
compatible with standard AGPS network devices are provided. In
accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the AGPS
server 140 may be enabled to generate real-time full ephemeris
assistance data to provide to one or more assistance data requests
from, for example, the GPS enabled handset 110. The Short Term
Orbits (STO) information may be used by the AGPS server 140 to
generate real-time full ephemeris based on the satellite data
collected through the WWRN 150. The period for which the generated
real-time full ephemeris is valid may be configurable and may be 4
hours or 6 hours, for example. The AGPS server 140 may be enabled
to generate full ephemeris at an instance of receiving the one or
more assistance data requests as described in FIG. 3. The AGPS
server 140 may also be configured to generate the full ephemeris
every 10-15 minutes or so, and this period may be much less than
the GPS satellite ephemeris information updating period of 2 hours.
The fresh (the latest generated) full ephemeris may be used to
approximate the real-time full ephemeris in responsive to the one
or more assistance data requests as described in FIG. 4. The
generated real-time full ephemeris or the generated fresh full
ephemeris may be delivered to respective users over the
communication network 130 in formats compatible with GSM/UMTS,
and/or WiFi, and/or WiMAX, and/or OMA SUPS, for example.
[0037] In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, the
GPS enabled handset 110 may receive real-time full ephemeris
assistance data from an AGPS server 140. The GPS enabled handset
110 may generate location information based on the received
real-time full ephemeris. The real-time full ephemeris may be
generated at the AGPS server 140 in response to one or more request
for the real-time full ephemeris from the GPS enabled handset 110.
The GPS enabled handset 110 may communicate the one or more request
for the real-time full ephemeris to the AGPS server 140 over
various communication networks such as the communication network
130. In return, the AGPS server 140 may communicate the generated
real-time full ephemeris to the GPS enabled handset 110.
[0038] The AGPS server 140 may be configured to provide fresh full
ephemeris as approximated real-time full ephemeris by generating
full ephemeris at much smaller intervals, which may be much less
than a satellite ephemeris updating period. The generated real-time
full ephemeris or fresh full ephemeris may be communicated to the
GPS enabled handset 110, either periodically or aperiodically.
Various predicted real-time full ephemeris or predicted fresh full
ephemeris may be generated, utilizing, for example, Short Term
Orbits (STO) technology. The generated STO data may be sent to the
GPS enabled handset 110 in a format compatible with GSM/UMTS,
and/or WiFi, and/or WiMAX, and/or OMA SUPL.
[0039] Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine
and/or computer readable storage and/or medium, having stored
thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least
one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby
causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as
described herein for a method and system for customized full
ephemeris compatible with standard AGPS network devices.
[0040] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in
hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The
present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at
least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where
different elements are spread across several interconnected
computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus
adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A
typical combination of hardware and software may be a
general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when
being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that
it carries out the methods described herein.
[0041] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0042] While the present invention has been described with
reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
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