WO1995000895A2

WO1995000895A2 - Apparatus for the automatic registration of measuring data dependent on geographic position

Info

Publication number: WO1995000895A2
Application number: PCT/HU1994/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Péter Kapolka
Original assignee: Kapolka Peter
Priority date: 1993-06-15
Filing date: 1994-06-14
Publication date: 1995-01-05
Also published as: WO1995000895A3; HUT68493A; JPH09503290A; HU9301749D0; EP0705443A1

Abstract

The apparatus according to the invention serves for the automatic registration of data dependent on the geographical position. The apparatus is connected to a GPS (Global Positioning System); the part of said system are an antenna, maintaining the connection with the satellites and a registrating unit receiving a registrating position defining signals arriving from the satellites via antenna. The registrating unit of the GPS system is completed with means to manipulate a Memory Card, known in itself, which can be placed into the registrating unit and removed therefrom. The card registrates and stores the position defining signals, messages; the data stored can be introduced into a computer using the peripheries thereof (screen, printer etc.) thus the data stored in the card and results calculated therefrom can be displayed.

Description

Apparatus for the automatic registration of measuring data dependent on geographic position

Technical Field

Collection of data connected to geographic position resp. being parametric in this respesct, has been always problematic; the main problem appeared in determining the positioning itself. This main problem could be solved by the appearance of the GPS (Global Positioning System), furtheroπ instruments are known, by the aid of which the route covered by any vehicle (ship, car, airplane) can be registered and displayed. In case of a Hying vehicle determination of the position involves a three dimensional problem; LAT-LON (Latitude, Longitude) co-ordinates must be completed with height LAT-LON-ALT (Latitude, Longitude, Altitude) . A GPS system for determining by means of satellites consists of 3 parts. These are:

- Satellites revolving around the earth (presently their number amounts to 22).

- A satellite controlling station on the earth.

- The receiver of the users.

Background art

Satellites are travelling on a 60 path in a fixed altitude. Their path is arranged so that above one point at least three pcs are to be seen (above the horizont). Accordingly in the same time a receiver is able to receive the signals of at least. 3 satellites. Satellites are measuring and continuously transmitting their own position measured from the earth centre, as well as time of transmisiion . Receivers receive the data transmitted by the satellites. On basis of time difference between transmission and receipt their own distance from the satellites will be calculated. With two dimensional (LAT-LON) determination of position the receipt of the signal of three satellites is required, while three dimensional (LAT-LON-ALT) determination of position requires the receipt of the signals of four satellites. Determination of own position is carried out by a simple geometric analysis . In case, if a plus data or further data (measuring data) have to be recorded, one or more further data have to be co-ordinated to the LAT-LON value-pairs (measuring, recording and evaluating) so f.e. radioactive radiation, enviromental contamination etc.

At the place of application several supplemental requirements can be met, so the following functions:

1- positioning (LAT-LON-ALT);

2- navigation ( waypoints, bearing, heading, distance, cross trackerror etc. );

3- autopilot;

4- registration and display of the route;

5- digital remote data transfer (when working with DPGS); 6- following and supervising system; 7- measuring and evaluating system.

Accordingly the instruments available on the market represent several types, presently navigation apparatuses are widely spread. Minimal con iguration of an apparatus serving for navigation on the users side: GPS receiver with antenna; a controller, as well a display for displaying the data; more complex instruments are brought in compliance with a concrete application each; so f.i. instruments for sail-planes are known which are using already GPS data for optimum calculation, the more the route covered is also registered for a subsequent display. Registration is electronic, their own memory unit is used for 3toring, similar instruments are used in navigation too. The DPGS (Dif erential Global Positioning System) is well suitable for increasing the reliability of the positioning of the GPS (Global Positioning System), with which a GPS basic station transmits correction data to the receivers within the receiving rayon by means of digital communication. As a consequence error in determination can be reduced from 100 m. to 1-5 meters. With this system remote data transmission is playing a significant role. In case if the registrered route will be displayed later f.i. by means of computer, we obtain an off-line following system, however, if the receiving station is sending the momentary position-co-ordinates to a central station via a digital wireless connection, we obtain an on-line following supervising system. Known apparatuses which are operated on the aforementioned basis fulfill the functions as enumerated under items l. ,2., or 4. Such as

Producer Type

Cambridge (USA) L-NAV

Zander (D) SR 820-D

Dittel (D) Lx2000

The above enumerated items are combined computers for sail-planes, which can be characterized by the arrangement that a separate GPS receiver is to be connected to the basic instrument; thus they cannot be considered as compact instruments in respect to their 1 ayout. With other known instruments instead of registration accuracy (DPGS system) or real-time following used to be emphasized, or the combination of the aforementioned two types (f.i. the Swedish GP and C Airport Monitoring System) . The autopilot (AUP) instruments assuring automatic distance keeping of the route of any moving vehicle (object) show a relative function, namely they endeavour to maintain a certain reference condition (f.i. direction, altitude); there is no LAT-LON connection, accordingly these are not navigation instruments.

Disclosure of the Invention

These known apparatuses (registrating instruments on GPS basis) show three fundamental disadvantages: a./ They register but a route or altitude; as a consequence their scope of application is restricted. b./ Data are stored in the memory of the apparatus, so for the sake of eventual further evaluation, in order to achieve data transmission, the apparatus has to be interconnected with computers via cable; due to said cable connection either the recording apparatus or the computer has to be displaced, involving considerable difficulties. c./ Apparatuses with no compact design, d./ AUP apparatuses, as auxiliary equipments, are suitable only for relative control (independent from geographic position).

The task set for the invention lies in the elimination of the disadvantages. In order to register automatically data in dependence of geographical position the apparatus is connected to a GPS (Global Positioning System); the parts of said system are an antenna maintaining the connection with the satellites, a registrating unit receiving the position defining signals transmitted from the satellites. In accordance with the invention the registration performing unit (register unit) of the GPS system is completed with means to manipulate a memory card; the memory card -known in itself- can be placed into the register unit and remove therefrom; the unit is suitable for receiving positioning signals and other signals, messages and storage thereof; data are stored in the memory card; introduced it into a computer, by using its peripheries (screen and printer etc.) data stored in the memory card and results calculated from these data can be displayed. The apparatus according to the invention: 1./ is able to measure and register the geographical position (LAT-LON) and other measured data (so f.i. altitude or any other measured data); 2 .1 Recording, (regisration) is carried out by means of a memory card which can be placed into the apparatus and removed therefrom in an easy way; after having it placed into a reader, connected to a computer, by using a proper programme, further processing becomes possible; 1 .1 It has a compact layout; 4./ The apparatus yields an absolute AUP function; by virtue of the GPS connection it is well suitable for following any route (ev'en provided with way- points) . The apparatus according to the invention wll be described in detail with reference to the figures enclosed. Elements of the apparatus as illustrated in the figures:

RPGS - Register unit (determination according to our specification ; CRW - Card, Reader/Writer MC - Memory Card SIO - Serial port PC - personal computer Spes. Mes. Instr. - different measuring instruments known in itselves PTOT, PSTAT - total and static pressure measuring inlets in case of an airplane instrument DPGS - Differential GPS AUT - autopilot apparatus.

Best mode of carrying out the Invention

Function of the apparatus using the indications of Figure 1.

- Let us place the MC (Memory Card) into the CRW (Reader/ Writer) the PC (personal computer) will be able to send data to the apparatus (to RGPS) so f. example any comment configuration data etc. in case of necessity; MC (Memory Card) should be inserted into the apparatus (RPGS) as a floppy disc and covering of the route may take place; meanwhile data-recording is performed automatically.

- After having covered the route the MC (Memory Card) is placed into the CRW (Card Reader/Writer), data transfer onto the PC (personal computer) can be carried out without difficulty followed by usual display and evaluation. Some modes of utilization of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1. are shown in Figure 2. (serving here as example). These are: a./Automatic documentation and evaluation of the route of the airplane: The GPS registrating unit of the RPGS according to the invention is connected to the GPS antenna, PTOT and PSTAT press-ire indicators, furtheron , in case of necessity other different measuring devices, known in itselves, cr measuring devices inserting a Tranciever establishing the connection with the earth (Public Phone Service) through the satellite; single elements of the apparatus are connected via SIO serialports; energy supply of RPGS takes place through Power Connection. b./measuring of radioactive radiation over a large area by means of RPGS apparatus having been built in an aeral vehicle or any vehicle on the ground, by completing the arrangement according to item a./. Application can be motivated by an endangered situation, reconnaissance of radioactive contamination, required prevention. c./ Measuring of enviromental characteristics (f.i. air pollution and/or meteorological data) by means of a multi channel measuring station. Analog/digital outputs of the measuring devices, known in itselves, are connected to the RPGS apparatus; based on time or distance sampling and registering of the own position is carried out, momentary measured values are also recorded. By means of computer aided evaluation of registrata territorial distribution of single measured characteristic can be displayed, gradients etc. can be drawn. Instead of multiplying number of stationary stations (according to the present level of technique), detailed picture can be achieved by using an expedient movable station. d./ In case of a multiaxial version provided with servo the apparatus controlled follows the pre-programmed route, it turns automatically at the break points, it assures an absolute function.

Claims

1. Apparatus for automatic registration of measuring data dependent on geographical position, connected to a GPS (Global Positioning System), the part of said system are the antenna, maintaining the connection with the satellites, a unit receiving and registrating the signals which define the position, arriving from the satellites by means of antenna characterized in that the register unit of the GPS system is completed with means to manipulate a memory card, known in itself, which memory card can be inserted into the register unit and removed therefrom, being able for the storage and registration of the received position defining signals, further other transmitted signals and messages.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claiml. characterized in that the GPS (Global Positioning System) is completed with measuring means, measuring data as for example a pressure indicator indicating altitude, radioactive radiation, or any local data measuring device, receiving and after them registrating the concerning signals -together with the data definig the global geographical position- in a Memory Card, being the Memory Card inserted into the register unit and being able to be removed therefrom.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1-2. characterized in that the unit of the GPS System, receiving the position defining signals is completed with an wireless digital communication mobil system as for instance a digital wireless- odule, satellite- communication unit, cellutor wireless communication.

4. Memory card as claimed in any of the Claim 1-3. characterized in that after having introduced the data storing card into the computer, using the peripheries thereof (screen, printer etc.), data, stored in the card and results calculated therefrom, can be displayed.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the Claims 1. to 4. characterized in that the GPS (Global Positioning System) is completed with an uniaxial or multiaxial autopilot servo unit.