Airborne RTT Vector Location for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geo-location methods for wireless devices, especially using airborne platforms, face challenges in achieving accurate location determination within a short time frame due to the impracticality of large directional antennas and complex circuitry required for precise angle measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a single airborne station to determine the location of ground-based wireless devices by calculating average distances and velocities over a time period, incorporating RTT vectors and velocity vectors to estimate the angle and location, thereby reducing the need for large antennas and complex circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large directional antennas and complex circuitry are used for precise angle measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system of large directional antennas and complex angle measurement circuitry with a computational approach using RTT vectors and velocity vectors. The angle is calculated through mathematical processing of time-based measurements rather than direct electromagnetic angle detection, eliminating the need for large physical antennas and complex measurement circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RTT vectors and velocity vectors as intermediary computational elements that mediate between the raw time measurements and the final angle calculation. These vectors serve as mathematical intermediaries that transform time-based data into spatial orientation information without requiring direct angle measurement hardware.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measuring devices are used to determine location simultaneously, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination process into temporal segments by collecting RTT measurements at multiple time instances as the airborne platform moves. Instead of using multiple devices simultaneously, the system divides the measurement task across time, with each time instance providing a segment of data that contributes to the final location calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from spatial dimension (multiple devices at different locations) to temporal dimension (single device at multiple time instances). By moving the single measuring device through space over time, the system achieves the geometric diversity needed for accurate location determination without requiring multiple simultaneous devices.
3Device complexity
If a single airborne station is used to determine location, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by collecting multiple RTT measurements and recording velocity data before conducting the final location calculation. The system gathers sufficient data over a time period T, establishing a foundation of measurements that enables accurate angle and location determination from a single airborne station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback by using the recorded velocity of the airborne station to correct and refine the angle calculation. The velocity information provides feedback about the platform's movement, which is used to compensate for positional changes and improve the accuracy of the derived angle and location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate location determination of wireless devices to within half a degree of bearing in approximately 5 seconds, comparable to using large directional antennas, with reduced complexity and practicality for airborne platforms.
Implementation Method 1
determining a distance between the airborne station and the WD at a start time ta to produce distance DA and at an end time tb to produce distance DB
Data Source
AI summary
A method and devices are disclosed for producing a RTT vector (RTV) that is based upon the change in an airborne measuring station position and the corresponding RTT results taken at known time intervals to a ground based target station. In one embodiment, the target station is an access point or station conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard and the airborne measuring station 110 may also be a device that conforms to the IEEE 802.11 standard. The disclosed method enables the location of a target station to an accuracy in the order of, for example, less than one half degree of bearing within, for example, a period in the order of 5 seconds.