Distributed Beacon Positioning for Low-Latency Anti-Jam Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current PNT systems face challenges in providing high-precision, low-latency positioning and timing for next-generation outdoor and indoor systems, including vulnerabilities to co-channel interference, jamming, spoofing attacks, and insufficient accuracy in urban environments, which are critical for managing unmanned aerial systems and autonomous vehicles, especially due to reliance on GNSS signals that require long acquisition times and are susceptible to interference and multipath effects.

Innovation Solution

Implementing resilient distributed positioning networks (RDPN) using flexible multitone navigation signals with spectral and temporal redundancy, transmitted from a network of nodes, allowing for rapid and precise geolocation and timing solutions by leveraging existing communication networks and exploiting subcarrier components to separate co-channel beacons, even in the presence of interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GNSS signals are used for positioning, then positioning information can be obtained, but the acquisition time is long and the system is vulnerable to interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidacquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning system into multiple independent beacon transmitters distributed throughout the service area. Each beacon transmits on the same time and frequency channel, but their spatial distribution and independent operation allow the receiver to quickly acquire positioning data without waiting for satellite signals, reducing time-to-first-fix while maintaining accuracy through multiple signal sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beacons continuously transmit positioning signals in advance, eliminating the need for the receiver to perform lengthy signal acquisition and processing. The signals are already present in the environment, allowing immediate measurement and positioning calculation once the receiver is activated, thereby drastically reducing acquisition time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If multiple beacons transmit on the same time and frequency channel, then device complexity is reduced, but co-channel interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidco-channel interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of co-channel interference into a benefit by using identical time and frequency channels for all beacons. This simplifies receiver design while the system processes the combined signals through correlation techniques that can distinguish between beacons based on their unique spatial characteristics and timing, transforming interference into a manageable signal composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the approach from avoiding interference through parameter differentiation (frequency, time slots) to using identical parameters for all beacons. By transmitting on the same time and frequency channel, the system reduces device complexity while managing interference through signal processing rather than parameter separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional GNSS systems are used, then positioning can be provided, but the system is vulnerable to jamming and spoofing attacks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidjamming and spoofing attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by having multiple beacons continuously transmit authenticated positioning signals before any attack occurs. The receiver is pre-configured with beacon identities and expects signals from multiple sources, allowing it to detect and reject spoofing attempts by comparing expected versus received signal characteristics, and to maintain positioning reliability even under jamming conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides beforehand cushioning by distributing multiple beacon transmitters throughout the service area, creating redundant signal paths. If one beacon is jammed or spoofed, others continue to provide valid positioning data, cushioning the system against attacks and maintaining reliability through diversity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250362370A1Resilient Distributed Positioning Networks

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 AGEE BRIAN G

AI summary

Methods and techniques are described for secure, low-latency, high-precision positioning and timing using networks of spectrally and/or temporally redundant beacons. Beacons are transmitted from network nodes to network users; transmitted from network users to network nodes; or transponded to and from network nodes through network users using bent-pipe transponders. A spectrally efficient beacon air interface induces at least one of spectral or temporal redundancy on the transmitted beacon signal, and means for exploiting the redundancy can separate beacons at centralized network operating centers with precision dictated by the power of those signals above the receiver noise floor, rather than other beacon signals received at the same time and frequency. Specific beacon transmission parameters provide for determining positioning and timing of aerial network users consistent with United States Federal Aviation Administration regulations for Class-1 small unmanned aircraft systems.