GPS PRN Code Signal Processing and Receiver Design for Simultaneous All-in-View Coherent Signal Acquisition and Navigation Solution Determination

A new method of processing GPS signals offers 10 to 20 dB processing gain enhancement relative to current signal processing techniques, including wireless-assist GPS techniques (AGPS), for acquisition and navigation solution determination in weak signal and interference prone environments. The technique relies on wireless assist from a base station or other source to provide an appropriate set of initialization data, time synch and user equipment (UE) oscillator frequency calibration functions. This new technique coherently combines the power in all of the PRN code signals acquired and simultaneously determines the UE solution. The power available for detection and acquisition is thus based on the received power in all of the signals processed. Thus the processing gain relative to conventional techniques that acquire one PRN code signal at a time equals N, where N is the number of PRN code signals processed of comparable power level.