Patent ID: 6433866
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G01C,G01S

Abstract:
An integrated laser and satellite positioning guidance system (LASATPSAG) comprising:an integrated laser and satellite positioning system (LASATPS) positioned in a location with known coordinates, said LASATPS system comprising: a laser system generating a laser beam, said laser beam providing a high accuracy vertical coordinate; and a stationary satellite positioning system (SATPS) receiver integrated with said laser system, said stationary SATPS receiver having a stationary antenna exposed to the view of sky, wherein the distance between the phase center of said stationary antenna and said laser beam is known and fixed; a mobile unit including a laser detector and a mobile satellite positioning system (SATPS) receiver; and a communication link between said LASATPS system and said mobile unit; wherein said communication link is used to continuously transmit to said mobile unit the vertical coordinate of said laser beam and differential corrections obtained by said stationary SATPS receiver, and wherein said mobile SATPS receiver utilizes said differential corrections to obtain the precise coordinate measurements of said mobile unit.