AeroMACS Base Stations Position Tracking Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current airport traffic monitoring systems, such as AeroMACS, face challenges in achieving one-meter accuracy for mobile station position tracking due to the high cost and complexity of implementing Ground Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS), which are necessary to improve GNSS accuracy beyond the ten-meter radius provided by standard GNSS circuits.

Innovation Solution

The AeroMACS system configures base stations to broadcast differential-clock-correction and coordinate-correction matrices to GNSS-enabled mobile stations, eliminating the need for a GBAS and allowing GNSS-disabled mobile stations to determine their position using pseudo GNSS signal packets, thereby reducing system complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Ground Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS) are implemented to improve position tracking accuracy to one-meter standard, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces base stations as intermediary components that relay position information between mobile stations and the central system. These base stations broadcast their known positions and receive timing measurements from mobile stations, enabling accurate position calculation without requiring complex GBAS infrastructure at every location. The base stations act as mediators that simplify the overall system architecture while maintaining one-meter accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the airport coverage area into multiple zones, each served by individual base stations with known positions. Mobile stations can determine their location by measuring distances to multiple base stations and calculating position through trilateration. This segmentation approach distributes the positioning function across multiple simple nodes rather than requiring a single complex centralized system, reducing overall device complexity while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If Ground Based Augmentation Systems (GBAS) are implemented to achieve one-meter accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition tracking accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple inexpensive base stations with known positions rather than a single expensive GBAS system. Each base station is a relatively simple, low-cost component that broadcasts its position and receives timing measurements. The system achieves high precision through the collective contribution of multiple affordable units, significantly reducing the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining one-meter accuracy standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the positioning function with the existing communication infrastructure of base stations. Rather than implementing a separate GBAS system, the patent integrates position determination capabilities into the existing base station network, allowing dual use for both communication and positioning purposes. This merging approach eliminates redundant infrastructure and reduces overall system cost while achieving the required measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If base stations broadcast position information to enable position determination, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base stations broadcast position information in periodic intervals rather than continuously. Mobile stations can request position updates at specific intervals or when moving between coverage zones of different base stations. This periodic broadcasting approach maintains position determination accuracy by providing fresh position data when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10571578B2System including base stations that provide information from which a mobile station can determine its position

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

In an embodiment, a system includes base stations and a server. Each base station has a respective fixed position, and is configured to broadcast information that a mobile station can use to determine a position of the mobile station. And the server is configured to communicate with the base stations and to track a position of a mobile station. An example of such a system is an Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System (AeroMACS), which includes base stations that are located in respective fixed, known positions within and around an airport, and at least one server that communicates with the base stations and tracks the positions of moveable stations within and around the airport. The base stations can provide information that allows both GNSS-enabled and non-GNSS-enabled mobile stations to determine their positions without adding significant cost or complexity to the AeroMACS.