GPS World

Tag: patent application

  • Tesla seeks to patent a better GNSS antenna for self-driving cars

    Tesla seeks to patent a better GNSS antenna for self-driving cars

    Tesla has applied to patent a new multi-band GNSS antenna with increased precision for self-driving and navigation in its autos, reports electrek. The antenna would be positioned inside the rear-mirror enclosure, and the system would also provide a heating element.

    While increasing precision, it is also designed to reduce power demand, noise and cost.

    The automaker describes the new device in the abstract of the new patent application:

    A multi-band antenna system is provided. The antenna system can be placed under and embedded within a glass exterior surface of a vehicle. Such an antenna system can include a capacitively coupled metallic element on or adjacent to the glass exterior surface, which can serve as both a parasitic element to enhance gain and as a heating element to melt snow and/or ice accumulation over the glass area that covers the antenna. In certain applications, the antenna’s structure itself can be used as a heater to improve performance in adverse weather conditions while the heating elements are positioned away from the thermally sensitive electronics. The antenna system with integrated heating can include a spiral antenna.

    A diagram of the antenna provided with the patent application. (U.S. Patent Office)
    A diagram of the antenna provided with the patent application. (U.S. Patent Office)
  • Apple applies for machine learning GNSS device

    Apple applies for machine learning GNSS device

    Logo: Apple

    Earlier this month, Apple applied to the Federal Communications Commission for to a license to install GPS testing equipment on its headquarters campus.

    This may be related to an application filed by Apple Inc. with the U.S. Patent Office in August 2019, which describes the company’s “Machine Learning Assisted Satellite Based Positioning.”

    From the patent application:

    MACHINE LEARNING ASSISTED SATELLITE BASED POSITIONING

    A device implementing a system for estimating device location includes at least one processor configured to receive an estimated position based on a positioning system comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellite, and receive a set of parameters associated with the estimated position.

    The processor is further configured to apply the set of parameters and the estimated position to a machine learning model, the machine learning model having been trained based at least on a position of a receiving device relative to the GNSS satellite.

    The processor is further configured to provide the estimated position and an output of the machine learning model to a Kalman filter, and provide an estimated device location based on an output of the Kalman filter.

    In 2015, Apple acquired the small enhanced-GPS company Coherent to aid the speed and accuracy of its devices’ location services. Presumably, Apple intends to incorporate its machine-learning positioning method into its navigation software.