Title:
ORBIT/COVARIANCE ESTIMATION AND ANALYSIS (OCEAN) DETERMINATION FOR SATELLITES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO1999040692
Kind Code:
A9
Abstract:
The orbit/covariance estimation and analysis (OCEAN) technique (24) utilizes ground station observations (15) collected from satellites (16) passing overhead and estimates the positions, velocities, and other parameters of multiple satellites. It also estimates parameters for other elements, such as the locations of ground stations (15) and measurement biases. The technique utilizes recorded observations (e.g., range, Doppler) and measurements from various sources (28) as inputs to a weighted least squares batch estimation algorithm used in iterative fashion to estimate each parameter, with or without a priori knowledge of the errors involved with each observed parameter. Using the results of the estimation process or a predefined initial condition file, the OCEAN program (24) can also generate a predicted trajectory (i.e., ephemeris) (38) for the satellite(s) (16) from a specified initial time to a final time. The resulting ephemerides can be output in a predefined file format chosen by the user.
Inventors:
MIDDOUR JAY W
DASENBROCK ROBERT R
MELVIN PETER J
PICKARD HENRY M
BINNING PATRICK W
DASENBROCK ROBERT R
MELVIN PETER J
PICKARD HENRY M
BINNING PATRICK W
Application Number:
PCT/US1999/002290
Publication Date:
October 21, 1999
Filing Date:
February 02, 1999
Export Citation:
Assignee:
US NAVY (US)
International Classes:
B64G1/24; B64G3/00; G01S5/02; G01S11/10; G01S19/21; G01S19/26; H04B7/185; (IPC1-7): H04B7/185; G01S5/02
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