IP Library Granted Patent US 8,873,692
Granted Patent B2
US 8,873,692 · App. 13/352,262 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

Configurable baseband in a GPS receiver

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,873,692
App. No.
13/352,262
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Clock compensation for GPS receivers. A receiver in accordance with the present invention comprises a Radio Frequency (RF) portion, and a baseband portion, coupled to the RF portion, wherein the baseband portion comprises a crystal, an oscillator, coupled to the crystal, wherein the oscillator generates a clock signal based on a signal received from the crystal, a counter, coupled to the oscillator via the clock signal, a comparator, coupled to the counter, a controller, at least one logic gate, coupled to the comparator and the controller, and a combiner, coupled to the at least one logic gate, the controller, and the counter and producing an accurate clock signal therefrom.

Claims (11)

1. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, comprising: a Radio Frequency (RF) portion; and a baseband portion, coupled to the RF portion, wherein the baseband portion comprises a crystal; an oscillator, coupled to the crystal, wherein the oscillator generates a clock signal based on a signal received from the crystal; a counter, coupled to the oscillator via the clock signal, a comparator, coupled to the counter; a controller programmed to measure a physical condition of the crystal, to calculate a compensation from the measured physical condition and to apply the compensation; at least one logic gate, coupled to the comparator and the controller; and a combiner, coupled to the at least one logic gate, the controller, and the counter and producing an accurate clock signal therefrom.

2. The GPS receiver of claim 1 , wherein the controller corrects the clock signal.

3. The GPS receiver of claim 2 , wherein the controller is reprogrammable.

4. The GPS receiver of claim 1 , wherein the controller is calibrated using information generated by a physically separate device.

5. The GPS receiver of claim 1 , wherein the signal generated by the crystal is not accurate enough to accurately perform a geoposition calculation.

6. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, comprising: a Radio Frequency (RF) portion generating a high-speed clock signal; and a baseband portion, coupled to the RF portion, wherein the baseband portion comprises a crystal; an oscillator, coupled to the crystal, wherein the oscillator generates a slow-speed clock signal based on a signal received from the crystal; a synchronization circuit, coupled to the oscillator via the slow-speed clock signal, a counter, coupled to the synchronization circuit and receiving the high-speed clock signal, and generating a value therefrom; a controller, coupled to the counter, wherein the high-speed clock signal calibrates the slow-speed clock signal; and a GPS digital signal processor driven by the calibrated slow-speed clock signal.

7. The GPS receiver of claim 6 , wherein the RF portion and the baseband portion are on a single semiconductor chip.

8. The GPS receiver of claim 7 , wherein the high-speed clock signal is generated by a Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator (TCXO).

9. The GPS receiver of claim 7 , wherein the slow-speed clock signal is synchronized to the high-speed clock signal.

10. The GPS receiver of claim 9 , wherein the controller adjusts the value to correct the slow-speed clock signal.

11. The GPS receiver of claim 10 , wherein the controller is updated using information generated by a physically separate device.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2012
From: QUALCOMM ATHEROS TECHNOLOGY LTD.
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 029421/0993 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 18, 2012
From: ATHEROS TECHNOLOGY LTD.
To: QUALCOMM ATHEROS TECHNOLOGY LTD.
Reel/Frame 027550/0308 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2012
From: OBERMEYER, RICHARD
To: U-NAV MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 027547/0337 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2012
From: U-NAV MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: ATHEROS TECHNOLOGY LTD.
Reel/Frame 027547/0340 →