TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to providing a private eLoran service.

BACKGROUND

Enhanced Loran (eLoran) Loran is an internationally recognized terrestrial complement system for positioning, navigation, and timing. It can be an alternative to satellite-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo. In eLoran, the transmission times (e.g., of timing pulses) of a transmitter are fixed. The transmission time for each site can be calculated well into the future. An eLoran definition document can be obtained from the International Loran Association (http://www.loran.org) at http://www.loran.org/otherarchives/2007%20eLoran%20Definition%20Document-1.0.pdf. The eLoran definition document is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

This application relates to a private eLoran service. Disclosed herein are aspects of systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a private eLoran service.

A first aspect is a method for generating private eLoran signals. The method includes receiving, by a transmitter that is configured to transmit a transmission at a fixed time, a transmission key; determining, by the transmitter, a pseudo-random transmission time for transmitting the transmission, where the pseudo-random transmission time is determined using the transmission key; and initiating transmission, by the transmitter, of the transmission at the pseudo-random transmission time.

A second aspect is a system for transmitting private eLoran signals. The system includes an encoding unit configured to determine a pseudo-random transmission time for a transmission where the system is configured to transmit the transmission within a time slot, and where the pseudo-random transmission time is such that the transmission completes in the time slot; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the transmission at the pseudo-random transmission time.

A third aspect is a receiving device that includes a processor that is configured to obtain a pseudo-random time for receiving a transmission from a transmitter; receive the transmission at the pseudo-random time; and use the transmission to determine at least one of a time, a longitude, or a latitude at the receiving device.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying figures.

