Patent Application
20240353575
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention relates in general to radio positioning/navigation systems. More specifically and in particular, the present invention, hereinafter described in accordance with the current best mode of practice, is such a radio positioning/navigation system that integrates, correlates or obviates the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) with a Pulsed Wireless Location System (PWLS) to provide positioning/navigation/timing data either within a line-of-sight barrier, or in direct line of sight of GNSS beacons. In addition, the present invention overcomes the inherent problems of current radio positioning/navigation systems, such as multi-path signal propagation, the “near-far” problem, located device power consumption and the inability for low power GNSS signals to penetrate a barrier.
A common need, or requirement of our society is to accurately track and record positions of aircraft, land vehicles, geographical landmarks, materials, buildings, animals, people, and other objects. One system currently used to accomplish this goal is radio positioning/navigation beacons and associated equipment. Radio positioning/navigation can be broadly defined as the use of radio waves to transmit information, which in turn can be received and utilized to determine position and navigate. Some radio positioning/navigation systems historical, currently in use or under development, are Loran, Omega, LMN, and Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as NAVSTAR, GLONASS (the Russian variant), and European systems (GNSSI, GNSS2, NAVSTAT and GRANAS). The radio positioning/navigation systems standard worldwide is the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) NAVSTAR Global Positioning system (GPS). The NAVSTAR GPS system is capable of providing real-time, three-dimensional position, timing and navigation data.
The NAVSTAR GPS beacon system presently consists of twenty-four orbiting satellites, spaced in six separate circular orbits, with each accommodating four satellites. Of these, twenty-one are normally operational and three serve as spares. Each NAVSTAR GPS satellite reappears above the same ground reference approximately every twenty-three hours and fifty-six minutes. The spacing of satellites is designed to maximize probability that earth users will always have at least four satellites in good geometrical view for navigational use. The basic method of position determination via radio positioning and navigation signals is derived from the concept of multi-lateration. The term multi-lateration used herein refers to the general process of determining distance, a.k.a. range, from the present position to or from multiple known anchors, and mathematically solving for the point in space which satisfies these conditions. As applied to GNSS, the procedure requires calculation of signal travel time, which, when multiplied by the speed of light, renders distance.
A basic discussion of positioning/navigation as it relates to the NAVSTAR GPS is available at GPS.gov. This site particularly describes the background of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, as well as technical descriptions, performance characteristics and actual user segments.
Standard GNSS receivers can typically produce position estimates within 30 meter accuracy. Sub-meter position accuracy of location can be achieved using differential positioning, known as differential global positional system (DGPS). Other techniques for improving accuracy involving secondary beacons or receivers are based on “Carrier-phase GPS”, “Wide Area Augmented GPS” (WAAS), and GPS Interferometry.
During the development of the NAVSTAR GPS program, the United States Government made decisions to extend its use to both domestic and international communities. Its applications range from navigation over the land, in the air, and on the seas, to precision surveys and the tracking of trains and trucks. As GNSS is the global standard for positioning/navigation applications when in line of sight of the beacons, therefore the following discussion focuses on GNSS.
The present invention, however, has equal applicability to other radio positioning/navigation systems that provide for global positioning and navigation. GNSS systems offer the advantage of providing precise locations when the receiver is in direct line of sight of the satellite beacons. However, one critical limitation of these GNSS systems is it requires the beacons to be “in view” relative to the receiver. It is important to note that GNSS solutions are only accomplished when the GNSS receiver is in direct line of sight (LOS) with the orbiting GNSS beacons. In other words, if the GNSS receiver's antenna is used in heavily forested areas, in steep and narrow canyons, within a structure, adjacent to the outer walls of buildings, or various other line-of-sight barriers (LSB), the receiver will be unable to obtain a repeatable reading, or in many cases, any reading at all. While GNSS systems have many important uses in wide open spaces, they are not useable within environments separated by line-of-sight barriers (LSB).
What is needed is a system that provides repeatable, precise sub-meter positioning/navigation data for locating objects in places where standard GNSS signals do not penetrate. The result of such an all encompassing system is accurate, consistent positioning and navigation data for a wide variety of applications that can be used both in direct line of sight of GNSS beacons and within environments that do not these signals to penetrate. In addition to the GNSS information discussed above, other related U.S. patents also deal exclusively with radio positioning/navigation within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB). Such references include, for example:
U.S. Pat. No. 9,763,050 to Belghoul et al, estimates a location of a wireless device in communication with a wireless network, such as a UMTS network, based at least in part on WLAN/WPAN AP measurements and/or barometric measurements.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,103,916 to Waters et al, explains a method for positioning a wireless device by determining a reference location of a wireless device, based on satellite positioning, as the device passes between areas of satellite positioning signal reception and satellite positioning signal non-reception. While in the areas of non-reception, signals transmitted by wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (AP's) and parameters of motion of the device are measured.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,430,781 to Kerr et al, A method where beacons are disposed within a physical premises and each beacon transmits a signal containing identifying information. A networked indoor positioning module receives measured reference points that include a measured beacon identifier and a measured signal strength.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,015,769 to Younis et al, discloses systems and methods for determining a location of a mobile device within an indoor environment by receiving the signals from use the positioning nodes and use the aiding information to determine a three dimensional position within the indoor environment based on one-way time difference of arrival of the signals.
Operating within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB) places fundamental limitations on the performance of radio positioning/navigation systems. The existence of multi-path with different time delays, gives rise to complex, time-varying transmission channels. A direct line-of-site path between beacons and receiver seldom exists within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB), because of interference or reflection from natural or man-made objects, and one must rely on the signal arriving via multi-path. Signals can be received, but the equipment required to mitigate and correct for multi-path remains complex and sophisticated. These multi-path problems, in effect, have limited the practical commercial use of radio transmission of positioning/navigation data within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB).
Another dilemma associated with radio transmission of positioning/navigation data within a line-of-sight barrier is a phenomenon known as the “near-far” problem. The near-far problem is due to simultaneous broadcasting of signals from multiple broadcast antennae. This problem arises because of the large variation of the user-to-broadcast antennae range. One advantage of using GNSS signals is the average power being received from the GNSS satellite beacons remains approximately constant due to the large distance of the satellite beacons from the GNSS receiver(s). On the other hand, the broadcast antenna power from local broadcast antennae varies a great deal, due to the inverse proportion to the square of the receiver's distance from the broadcast antennae, and can overwhelm other incoming signals.
Although there have been attempts to use radio positioning/navigation signals within a line-of-site barrier, to date the use of this technology is commercially impractical because of the problems described in the previous discussions. In exploiting information from traditional RF techniques and systems, impulse radio techniques provide an innovation in radio signal transmissions analysis for location.
The preceding positioning/navigation technologies all range from a variety of limitations. GPS simply cannot operate within a Line of Sight Barrier (LBS). Proximity systems can only indicate “it's approximately here” and requires a-priori knowledge of the location of the proximity beacons.
Common to almost all indoor positioning systems is the calculation of position by the mobile device or transmitting data from the mobile device to a server for assistance. This requires reliable communication paths and requires significant power to provide constant location. As devices decrease in size the power capacity of batteries limit the viability to locate these devices.
A Pulsed Wireless Location System (PWLS) provides a comprehensive, innovative solution to the increasing demand for location services within and around a line-of-sight barrier (LSB).
As it relates to this present invention, geo-positioning and positioning/navigation are assumed to be one the same. The PWLS system can calculate distances with sub-meter accuracy, this is achieved due to the precise measurement of incoming pulsed communications. Positioning/navigation is determined by multi-lateration of these precise measurements. It is important to note that a PWLS is not a global positioning/navigation system. Although multi-mile ranges are capable with this technology, it does not provide global integration with GNSS positioning/navigation systems. Therefore, the provision to utilize devices with GNSS capability in common with the communication systems of the present invention is possible. This enables a registration of an independent coordinate system with a GNSS/GIS (Global Information System) for the purpose of establishing a Global location within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB). This resolves a common need in society for a comprehensive integration and correlation of these two robust navigation/positioning systems.
The present invention can utilize PWLS alone or both GNSS and PWLS technologies to provide positioning/navigation capabilities both in direct line of sight (LOS) of GNSS beacons, and within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB) using PWLS anchors. The present invention results in a complete system that provides accurate, consistent positioning and navigation information for a wide variety of internal and external applications.
The importance of positioning/navigation systems are becoming widely recognized as necessary in today's society. There is a current need in business and industry to precisely locate and/or track the movement of people and material assets whether they are located indoors, outdoors, or moving in between. The prior art discussed above does not meet these needs because they lack precision, are incapable of operating within shielded environments or interior spaces or consume available power resources. Prior to the present invention disclosed herein below, there has not been a positioning/navigation system that precisely and cost effectively locates objects or people in both exterior and interior environments.
The present invention is a comprehensive system for positioning and navigation when separated by a barrier from being in the line of sight (LOS) of orbiting GNSS beacons, hereinafter, referred to as “within a line-of-sight barrier” (LSB). Within a line-of-sight barrier (LSB), the present invention utilizes PWLS signals to determine positioning and navigation information. PWLS anchors may be located within, or outside a line-of-sight barrier (LSB). The PWLS anchors must be non-coplanar, in order to determine altitude. The transceiver/processors and PWLS anchors are a system which communicate with each other or to a common server or cloud-based server in order to determine local positioning and navigation data. The present invention can also integrate and correlates GNSS and PWLS positioning and navigation data into a seamless coordinate format.
The present invention specifically is comprised of transceiver/processors, PWLS anchors of three or more at fixed relative locations, an optional host or cloud computer which can provide enhanced information services. A transceiver/processor, which can be either mobile or fixed, is comprises a PWLS transceiver/processor, and a data link to communicate with other transceiver/processors, and/or an optional host/cloud computer. The transceiver/processor may be contained in such devices as, but not limited too, a PWLS tag, a RFID tag, a cell phone, a computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), or other devices. The present invention accomplishes positioning and navigation by utilizing PWLS signals which are processed geometrically using multi-lateration and/or multi-lateralization techniques which yield positioning and navigation data. The transceiver/processor may also contain an optional data link which can be used communicate with other transceiver/processors, and/or an optional host/cloud computer. The optional host/cloud computer may be used to store, calculate, and output enhanced positioning and navigation information for various applications.
It is an object of the present invention to utilize PWLS technology for determining the positions of transceiver/processors within a line-of-sight barrier.
It is a further object of the present invention to overcome problems such as multi-path signal propagation, and the ‘near-far” problem associated with current radio positioning/navigation systems
It is a further object of the present invention to integrate and correlate the position/navigation information from both GNSS systems and a PWLS system.
It is still a further object of the present invention to transmit data to an optional host/cloud computer for enhanced information services.
It is still a further object of the present invention for multiple transceiver/processors to communicate with each other.
These and other objects will be better understood from review of the detailed description which follows and in which the following definitions are applicable.
The present invention is now described with reference to the figures wherein like reference numbers denote like elements. The present invention is a system which can locate transceiver/processors 150 in real-time, with sub-meter accuracy when operating within a line-of-sight barrier 100 using PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133. The PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 are shown outside or inside the line-of-sight barrier 100. In the present invention, positioning/navigation is accomplished using a transceiver/processor 150 which utilizes PWLS hardware but optionally standard and/or modified GNSS hardware. The PWLS and GNSS systems can be integrated and correlated using commercially available software with a data processor or cloud Processor. The data processor is part of the transceiver/processor 150 which is described fully in
In describing the present invention, those skilled in the art and familiar with the instant disclosure of the present invention will recognize additions, deletions, modifications, substitutions, and other changes which will fall within the purview of the subject inventions and claims.
These PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 may be located outside, or within a line-of-sight barrier 100. For clarity, the PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 are shown both located inside or outside the line-of-sight barrier 100, mounted on walls or poles. The PWLS anchors 130,131, 132, 133 are arranged in a geometrical pattern that is important for accurate multi-lateration with either a two or three-dimensional positioning/navigation system, as applicable. Specifically, it should be noted that in a two-dimensional system the operating centers of the anchors can be located co-linear, and in a three-dimensional system the operating centers of the anchors are not all located co-linear or co-planar.
The transmission paths 140, 141, 142, 143 are the shortest distances from the fixed, known location, PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 to any transceiver/processor 150 which is operating within the line-of-sight barrier 100. The transceiver/processor 150 uses the positioning/navigation data received from the PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 to collect data for positioning and navigation.
This positioning and navigation data may be optionally transmitted via radio transmission path 410 to a host computer 420 for further analysis or use. Unlike GNSS systems, radiating PWLS signals simultaneously from multiple anchors is subject to a “near-far” problem. This problem arises because of the large variation of the user-to-broadcast beacon range. The broadcast power from PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 varies a great deal; it is inversely proportional to the square of the transceiver/processor's 150 distance from the broadcast anchors 130, 131, 132, 133, and can overwhelm incoming PWLS beacon signals. The PWLS system overcomes the ‘rear-far” problem by sequencing PWLS in Beacon transmitting versions of the invention or through multiple access methods in a Beacon receiving versions of the invention using anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 wirelessly communicating to processor resources 420.
An alternative and possibly preferred method of operation uses a transmission from the transceiver/processor 150 to the anchors 130,131,132,133. This enables a low power, low cost transceiver/processor 150. The anchors can communicate via 160,161,162 to anchor 131 for location determination or use access link 410 to utilize cloud/server resource 420.
PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 are selectively located at fixed, known or relative locations relative to the user's choice of system coordinates. The radio transmission paths 140, 141, 142,143 are the shortest distances from the PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 to the transceiver/processor 150 which is operating within a line-of-sight barrier 100. In order to calculate the position of a transceiver/processor 150 operating within a line-of-sight barrier 100, normal vector geometry techniques are utilized by the PWLS portion of the transceiver/processor 150. The position/navigation solution of the transceiver/processor 150 operating within a line-of-sight barrier 100, is relative to the location of the PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133. The solution may be output to any global or local co-ordinate system in any standard Cartesian X,Y,Z coordinates, latitude/longitude/altitude, or any other customized coordinate system.
The coordinates which represent position, or discreet locations, which can be averaged over time for navigation purposes, may be transferred via data link 410 to the optional host computer 420. The following are examples, but not limited to, the enhanced information services provided by the optional host computer 420:
Optionally, the system's accuracy and integrity can be verified and calibrated by comparing the transceiver/processors 150 calculated position to a fixed, known position at scheduled or random intervals when located in direct line of sight of GNSS anchors 101, 102, 103, 104, and within or without a line-of-sight barrier 100 when using PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133.
While the present invention describes a system for providing integrated and correlated GNSS and PWLS data to transceiver/processor 150 operating either in direct line of sight of GNSS anchors 101, 102, 103, 104, or within a line-of-sight barrier 100 when using PWLS anchors 130, 131, 132, 133 it is contemplated that variations and modifications will be developed within the teaching of the present disclosure.
This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/343,372, filed Jun. 9, 2021, which in turn is based U.S. provisional Patent Application No. 63/036,514, filed on Jun. 9, 2020. All of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63036514 | Jun 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17343372 | Jun 2021 | US |
| Child | 18758817 | US |
