Method and system for indoor global navigation satellite system detection utilizing low-earth orbit satellite signals

Abstract

A system for indoor global navigation satellite system detection utilizing low Earth orbit satellite signals is disclosed and may include in a mobile communication device comprising a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signal receiver path and a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite signal receiver path: receiving a LEO RF satellite signal utilizing said LEO satellite signal receiver path, measuring a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for the received LEO signal, calculating an expected received MEO signal strength based on the measured RSSI, and configuring the wireless receiver to determine its position using LEO signals or MEO signals based on the calculated MEO signal strength and measured RSSI. The MEO path may be powered down when the calculated expected signal strength is below a threshold level for positioning purposes. The MEO path may be powered up when the calculated expected signal strength increases above a threshold level for positioning purposes.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:
 in a mobile communication device comprising a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signal receiver path and a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite signal receiver path:
 receiving a LEO RF satellite signal utilizing said LEO satellite signal receiver path; 
 measuring a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for said received LEO RF satellite signal; 
 calculating an expected received MEO signal strength based on said measured RSSI; 
 configuring the wireless receiver to determine its position using LEO signals or MEO signals based on said calculated MEO signal strength and said measured RSSI. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising powering down said MEO satellite signal receiver path when said calculated expected MEO signal strength is below a threshold level for MEO positioning purposes. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising powering up said MEO satellite signal receiver path when said calculated expected MEO signal strength increases above a threshold level for MEO positioning purposes. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising measuring said RSSI at a plurality of points along said LEO satellite signal receiver path. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising powering down RF circuitry in said MEO satellite signal receiver path for said configuring of said power level. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising powering down clock generation circuitry in said MEO satellite signal receiver path for said configuring of said power level. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising powering down processing circuitry in said MEO satellite signal receiver path for said configuring of said power level. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising processing in-phase and quadrature signals in said LEO satellite signal receiver path. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 21 , comprising processing in-phase and quadrature signals in said MEO satellite signal receiver path. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein said mobile communication device is controlled by a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) central processing unit (CPU). 
     
     
         31 . A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:
 one or more circuits for use in a mobile communication device comprising a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signal receiver path and a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite signal receiver path, said one or more circuits being operable to:
 receive a LEO RF satellite signals utilizing said LEO satellite signal receiver path; 
 measure a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for said received LEO RF satellite signal; 
 calculate an expected received MEO signal strength based on said measured RSSI; 
 configure the wireless receiver to determine its position using LEO signals or MEO signals based on said calculated MEO signal strength and said measured RSSI. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to power down said MEO satellite signal receiver path when said calculated expected MEO signal strength is below a threshold level for MEO positioning purposes. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to power up said MEO satellite signal receiver path when said calculated expected MEO signal strength increases above a threshold level for MEO positioning purposes. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to measure said RSSI at a plurality of points along said LEO satellite signal receiver path. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to power down RF circuitry in said MEO satellite signal receiver path for said configuring of said power level. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to power down clock generation circuitry in said MEO satellite signal receiver path for said configuring of said power level. 
     
     
         37 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to power down processing circuitry in said MEO satellite signal receiver path for said configuring of said power level. 
     
     
         38 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more circuits are operable to process in-phase and quadrature signals in said LEO satellite signal receiver path and/or said MEO satellite signal receiver path. 
     
     
         39 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein said mobile communication device is controlled by a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) central processing unit (CPU). 
     
     
         40 . A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:
 one or more circuits for use in a mobile communication device comprising a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite signal receiver path and a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signal receiver path, said one or more circuits being operable to:
 receive LEO RF satellite signals utilizing said LEO satellite signal receiver path; 
 measure a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for said received LEO RF satellite signals; 
 calculate an expected received MEO signal strength based on said measured RSSI; 
 determine a position of said wireless communication device utilizing LEO signals when said calculated MEO signal strength falls below a threshold level.