IP Library Granted Patent US 11,487,020
Granted Patent B2
US 11,487,020 · App. 16/532,789 · Granted Nov 1, 2022

Satellite signal calibration system

Inventor: Brett Browning (Pittsburgh, PA)
Assignee: UATC, LLC
G01S19/41G01S19/48
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,487,020
App. No.
16/532,789
Granted
Nov 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A satellite signal calibration system can receive sensor data from one or more sensors provided on a vehicle and detect satellite signal from one or more satellites of a satellite positioning system. Using the sensor data, the system can perform a localization operation to determine a current location of the vehicle. The system may then determine timing offsets of the satellite signals from each of the one or more satellites based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle.

Claims (42)

1. A satellite signal calibration system, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory storing instructions that, are executable by the one or more processors to cause the satellite signal calibration system to:

receive sensor data from one or more sensors provided on a vehicle;

detect satellite signals from one or more satellites of a satellite positioning system;

using the sensor data, perform a localization operation to determine a current location of the vehicle;

determine propagation times of the satellite signals from the one or more satellites;

calculate expected propagation times for the satellite signals based at least in part on respective distances to the one or more satellites; and

determine timing offsets of the satellite signals from the one or more satellites based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle and a comparison of the propagation times with the expected propagation times.

2. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the executed instructions cause the satellite signal calibration system to determine the timing offsets of the satellite signals based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle in order to identify multipath reflections of the satellite signals.

3. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 2 , wherein the executed instructions further cause the satellite calibration system to:

apply the timing offsets to the satellite signals to correct for the multipath reflections of the satellite signals.

4. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the executed instructions cause the satellite signal calibration system to perform the localization operation to determine the current location of the vehicle by analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more registered locations.

5. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more registered locations comprise one or more buildings, signs, landmarks, or points of interest in the sensor data.

6. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the executed instructions cause the satellite signal calibration system to perform the localization operation to determine the current location of the vehicle by comparing the sensor data to a map of registered locations.

7. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one camera or rangefinder sensor.

8. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 1 , wherein the executed instructions further cause the satellite signal calibration system to:

communicate the timing offsets to one or more satellite receivers within a threshold proximity of the vehicle.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that are executable by one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to:

receive sensor data from one or more sensors provided on a vehicle;

detect satellite signals from one or more satellites of a satellite positioning system;

using the sensor data, perform a localization operation to determine a current location of the vehicle;

determine propagation times of the satellite signals from the one or more satellites;

calculate expected propagation times for the satellite signals based at least in part on respective distances to the one or more satellites; and

determine timing offsets of the satellite signals from the one or more satellites based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle and a comparison of the propagation times with the expected propagation times.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the executed instructions cause the one or more processors to determine the timing offsets of the satellite signals based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle in order to identify multipath reflections of the satellite signals.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the executed instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

apply the timing offsets to the satellite signals to correct for the multipath reflections of the satellite signals.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the executed instructions cause the one or more processors to perform the localization operation to determine the current location of the vehicle by analyzing the sensor data to identify one or more registered locations.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the one or more registered locations comprise one or more buildings, signs, landmarks, or points of interest in the sensor data.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the executed instructions cause the one or more processors to perform the localization operation to determine the current location of the vehicle by comparing the sensor data to a map of registered locations.

15. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more sensors includes at least one camera or rangefinder sensor.

16. The satellite signal calibration system of claim 9 , wherein the executed instructions further cause the satellite signal calibration system to:

communicate the timing offsets to one or more satellite receivers within a threshold proximity of the vehicle.

17. A computer-implemented method of calibrating satellite signals, the method being performed by one or more processors and comprising:

receiving sensor data from one or more sensors provided on a vehicle;

detecting satellite signals from one or more satellites of a satellite positioning system;

using the sensor data, performing a localization operation to determine a current location of the vehicle;

determining propagation times of the satellite signals from the one or more satellites;

calculating expected propagation times for the satellite signals based at least in part on respective distances to the one or more satellites; and

determining timing offsets of the satellite signals from the one or more satellites based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle and a comparison of the propagation times with the expected propagation times.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more processors determine the timing offsets of the satellite signals based at least in part on the current location of the vehicle in order to identify multipath reflections of the satellite signals.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2024
From: UATC, LLC
To: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 067733/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2022
From: BROWNING, BRETT
To: UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 061493/0417 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2020
From: UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: UATC, LLC
Reel/Frame 054642/0112 →