Angular Velocity Positioning for Passive Relative Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems like GPS are unreliable in contested environments, and two-way timing and ranging (TWTR) methods require RF emissions that can be detected by hostile forces, leading to detection and targeting of nodes, and cause RF congestion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using angular velocity vectors to determine relative range vectors between nodes without RF emissions, leveraging inertial systems to compute relative position and time information, enabling precise positioning and time synchronization in contested environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two-way timing and ranging (TWTR) is used to determine position and time information, then position and time determination capability is improved, but RF emissions are generated that can be detected by hostile forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful RF emissions of TWTR into beneficial passive measurements. Instead of actively transmitting interrogation signals, the system passively receives signals from other nodes and uses angular velocity vector measurements combined with inertial navigation data to determine relative position and time, thereby achieving positioning without detectable emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic RF transmission mechanism of TWTR with a mechanical/inertial measurement approach. By using inertial navigation systems (INS) to track node motion and combining it with passive angular velocity vector measurements from received signals, the system achieves positioning through mechanical motion tracking rather than active electromagnetic signaling
2Reliability
If TWTR signals are transmitted to maintain position information, then position assurance is improved, but RF congestion increases in the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables nodes to self-determine their position and time information using passive measurements and their own inertial navigation data, without requiring active participation in TWTR signal exchanges. Each node independently processes received signals and INS data to maintain position assurance, eliminating the need for dense RF signaling
3Object-affected harmful factors
If angular velocity vector-based positioning is used without RF emissions, then detection risk is reduced, but system complexity increases due to inertial system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal application of inertial navigation systems already present in military and commercial nodes for their primary navigation functions. The same INS hardware and processing capabilities are repurposed to enable passive angular velocity vector-based positioning, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning equipment and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a node configured to: receive at least one signal from another node; determine an angular velocity vector between the node and the other node; determine a velocity vector of the node; determine a velocity vector of the other node; determine a relative velocity vector between the node and the other node; and determine a relative range vector between the node and the other node, the relative range vector indicating a relative position between the node and the other node.