Asymmetric GNSS Antenna Alignment for Centimeter RTK Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) systems require specialized equipment and technical expertise due to their complexity and cost, making them less accessible for centimeter-accurate positioning tasks, especially with asymmetric antennas in mobile devices which introduce phase measurement errors based on orientation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a pair of mobile computing devices with complementary asymmetric antennas to align orientations, cancel phase-center errors, and achieve centimeter-accurate location measurements by establishing a wireless connection, receiving orientation data, and providing rotation instructions to match orientations, allowing for precise GNSS signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional RTK systems are used to achieve centimeter-accurate positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses smartphone devices with commercial-grade antennas to replicate the functionality of specialized RTK equipment. By utilizing multiple smartphone devices with complementary asymmetric antennas, the system copies the base station and rover configuration of traditional RTK systems, achieving centimeter-level positioning accuracy without requiring expensive specialized hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using asymmetric antennas in a novel configuration. Instead of requiring symmetric antennas with precise phase centers, the system uses asymmetric antennas from commercial smartphones and compensates through mathematical processing of signals from multiple devices, fundamentally changing how antenna phase errors are handled
2Measurement precision
If specialized RTK equipment is deployed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs orientation alignment and error correction without requiring user intervention. The smartphones self-align their antennas through the application, automatically calculate orientation angles, and perform the necessary rotations to achieve proper alignment, eliminating the need for technical expertise in setting up and operating RTK equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback through the user interface, displaying orientation information and guiding users through the alignment process. The application continuously monitors antenna orientations and provides visual feedback to ensure proper alignment between base station and rover devices, making the operation intuitive and error-free
3Ease of operation
If asymmetric antennas in smartphones are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to phase-center errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the concept of counterweight by employing complementary asymmetric antennas in opposing orientations. The phase errors introduced by one antenna are mathematically counterbalanced by the corresponding errors from the complementary antenna, allowing the system to cancel out the harmful phase-center errors and achieve accurate measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines signals from multiple asymmetric antennas with complementary characteristics to create a composite measurement. By processing signals from both the base station and rover smartphones simultaneously and combining their complementary error patterns, the system achieves accurate positioning that overcomes the limitations of individual asymmetric antennas
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 centimeter-accurate localization and mapping without the need for specialized RTK equipment, using smartphones or similar devices to perform tasks similar to traditional RTK systems, reducing costs and technical complexity while maintaining precision.
Implementation Method 1
asymmetric antennas in mobile devices which introduce phase measurement errors based on orientation
Implementation Method 2
A method and system utilizing a pair of mobile computing devices with complementary asymmetric antennas to align orientations, cancel phase-center errors
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to centimeter-accurate localization using asymmetric antennas. A pair of mobile devices can establish a wireless communication connection with one device acting as a base station and the other being a rover for real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning. When the mobile devices have similar asymmetric antennas for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal reception, errors caused by the asymmetric antennas can be canceled by combining measurements from both devices. The rover mobile device may display instructions for the user to adjust its orientation to align with the orientation of the base station mobile device. The rover mobile device can then obtain and use measurement or correction data from the base station to determine its position relative to the rover mobile device. Such techniques can be performed by complementary model devices to be used to map areas to a high degree of precision (e.g., centimeter level), including elevation.