Beamforming Sensor Self-Alignment via Adaptive Signal Processing

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for aligning beamforming sensors with vehicle body axes during installation are labor-intensive and time-consuming, leading to performance degradation if not properly aligned.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses satellite navigation signals, adaptive signal processing, and inertial aiding inputs to automatically align the beamforming system with the vehicle body axes, enabling self-alignment and simplifying the installation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment methods are used to align beamforming sensor axes with vehicle body axes, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The beamforming sensor performs self-alignment by automatically determining its orientation relative to the vehicle body axes using GPS signal processing. The sensor independently calculates alignment parameters through adaptive signal processing and carrier-to-noise density ratio analysis, eliminating the need for manual alignment procedures and reducing installation time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with an automated electronic system that uses GPS signal processing and adaptive beamforming techniques. The system substitutes human operators and mechanical alignment tools with computer-based signal processing algorithms that automatically determine sensor orientation and calculate alignment corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment methods are used to align beamforming sensor axes with vehicle body axes, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but the installation process becomes labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beamforming sensor performs self-alignment by automatically determining its orientation relative to the vehicle body axes using GPS signal processing. The sensor independently calculates alignment parameters through adaptive signal processing and carrier-to-noise density ratio analysis, eliminating the need for manual alignment procedures and reducing installation time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with an automated electronic system that uses GPS signal processing and adaptive beamforming techniques. The system substitutes human operators and mechanical alignment tools with computer-based signal processing algorithms that automatically determine sensor orientation and calculate alignment corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If improper alignment of beamforming sensor axes relative to vehicle body axes occurs, then installation time is reduced, but sensor performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidsensor performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from GPS signal processing to automatically adjust and verify sensor alignment. By continuously monitoring carrier-to-noise density ratios and signal processing results, the system provides real-time feedback to confirm proper alignment, ensuring sensor performance is maintained while enabling rapid installation without manual alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8487812B1Method for self-aligning a beamforming sensor to simplify vehicle installation

Publication Date: 2013.07.16 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

The present invention is a method for aligning a beamforming system relative to a platform, said beamforming system being positioned on-board the platform. The method described in the present disclosure extends beyond currently available techniques by providing an adaptive beamsteering function which is available during installation of the beamforming system. This adaptive beamsteering function may determine the orientation error of the beamforming system by adaptively searching for correlated behavior of multiple satellite signals, seeking an orientation where a Correlated Power Function (CPF) is maximized. This orientation, relative to the input aiding system (ex. —INS) may provide a set of correction factors which enable the sensor (ex. —beamforming system) to utilize the input aiding system in an arbitrary orientation (ex. —as long as that arbitrary orientation is suitable for GPS reception).