Anchor-Free UWB Relative Node Positioning for Disaster Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UWB navigation systems require pre-installed anchor nodes and precise distance measurements, making them impractical for use in disaster situations where infrastructure is compromised.
Innovation Solution
An anchor-free UWB navigation system that calculates relative locations using a center node as a base, constructing a relative coordinate system based on UWB sensor values and y-axis absolute values, allowing nodes to determine their positions without prior anchor installation or precise distance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If anchor nodes are installed and precise distance measurement is performed, then location accuracy is improved, but system deployment complexity and preparation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the anchor nodes from the system, enabling UWB-based location services to function without requiring pre-installed anchor infrastructure. This allows the system to operate in disaster scenarios where anchor installation is impractical, while maintaining relative location accuracy through peer-to-peer distance measurements between mobile nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for preliminary anchor installation and calibration actions. Instead of requiring advance setup of anchor nodes and precise distance measurement between them, the system performs location calculations in real-time based on dynamic UWB distance measurements between mobile nodes, enabling immediate deployment in emergency situations
2Reliability
If anchor nodes are pre-installed, then location measurement reliability is improved, but adaptability to disaster scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static anchor-based system into a dynamic mobile node-based system. Location measurements are performed dynamically between moving nodes using real-time UWB distance data, allowing the system to adapt to changing disaster scenarios, building layouts, and operational requirements without being constrained by fixed anchor infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal location system that can operate in diverse disaster scenarios (fire, earthquake, flood) without requiring scenario-specific anchor installation. Any UWB-enabled device can function as a location node, making the system universally applicable across different disaster types and environments where traditional anchor-based systems would fail
3Measurement precision
If precise distance measurement between anchors is performed, then positioning accuracy is improved, but measurement time and setup duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent skips the time-consuming steps of anchor installation, anchor-to-anchor distance measurement, and coordinate system calibration. The system directly computes relative positions between mobile nodes using real-time UWB measurements, rushing through the positioning process without intermediate setup steps, thereby enabling immediate deployment in emergency response situations
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
Enables firefighters to navigate and locate fellow rescuers in disaster scenarios by determining relative distances and directions without requiring anchor nodes, facilitating immediate deployment and enhancing rescue operations.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining relative distances between a plurality of nodes based on UWB sensor values between the nodes
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method performed by a system for obtaining a relative location of an anchor-free UWB-based node. The method includes obtaining relative distances between a plurality of nodes based on UWB sensor values between the nodes, constructing a relative coordinate system having a center node of the plurality of nodes as a base, and calculating coordinate values of other nodes in the relative coordinate system. The constructing of the relative coordinate system having the center node of the plurality of nodes as a base includes constructing the relative coordinate system based on a relative distance between the center node and another node and absolute values of y axis values.