Broadcast TV Positioning With Timestamped Signals Beyond GPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TV signal receivers lack a reliable method to determine their position without relying on GPS receivers, and GPS signals can be unreliable or spoofed, especially in challenging environments.
Innovation Solution
A broadcast positioning system that uses over-the-air TV signals to transmit timestamped signals, allowing TV signal receivers to perform trilateration or multilateration by compensating for signal processing delays, enabling location determination using known TV broadcaster antenna locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS receivers are used for position determination, then location services can be provided, but GPS signals can be spoofed or unreliable in challenging environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces TV broadcast signals as an intermediary medium for position determination. Instead of directly using GPS satellite signals that are vulnerable to spoofing, the system uses TV broadcast towers as intermediary reference points. The TV signals carry timing information that enables position calculation through trilateration, providing a trusted alternative path that is not susceptible to GPS spoofing attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter used for position determination from GPS satellite signal timing to TV broadcast signal timing. By utilizing the transmission time stamps embedded in TV broadcast signals and measuring time of arrival at the receiver, the system performs position calculation based on different physical parameters (TV signal propagation time versus GPS signal propagation time), thereby achieving reliability through parameter diversification.
2Reliability
If TV signal receivers include GPS receivers for position determination, then location services can be provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the TV signal receiver multi-functional by enabling it to perform both TV signal reception and position determination using the same hardware infrastructure. The TV receiver processes TV broadcast signals not only for content delivery but also extracts timing information for trilateration-based position calculation, eliminating the need for separate GPS receiver hardware and achieving universal functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The TV broadcast system itself provides the positioning service without requiring additional dedicated positioning hardware in the receiver. The TV signals carry the necessary timing information, and the existing TV receiver processing capabilities are utilized to extract position data, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the need for separate GPS receiver components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If TV broadcast signals are used for position determination, then location services can be provided without GPS, but signal processing delay compensation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the TV broadcast system pre-compensate for signal processing delays at the transmitter side. The transmission time stamps embedded in the TV signals are adjusted in advance to account for known processing delays in the broadcast chain, so that the receiver receives already-corrected timing information, simplifying the receiver's task and enabling accurate position determination.
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 TV signal receivers to provide accurate location services independently of GPS, offering a secondary or backup method for position calculation and verifying GPS accuracy, even in conditions where GPS signals are compromised.
Implementation Method 1
TV broadcasters use high-power, high tower, terrestrial antennas to broadcast TV signals. The TV signals are modulated onto a radio frequency carrier and radiated from an antenna as over-the-air signals.
Implementation Method 2
The transmission time of the broadcast TV signal is used by the TV signal receiver to determine the time of arrival, and thus the propagation delay of the broadcast TV signal between the TV signal transmitter and its reception at the TV signal receiver.
Implementation Method 3
The TV signal receiver can use the determined multiple time delays of arrival from the multiple received broadcast TV signals as multiple time-of-arrival (TOA) and the known locations of the antenna radiating these multiple broadcast TV signals to perform a trilateration or multilateration calculation to determine its position
Data Source
AI summary
Broadcast positioning systems supporting location services through over-the-air broadcast television (TV) signals are disclosed. The broadcast positioning system supports a broadcast TV signal format that includes a transmission time of the broadcast TV. The transmission time of the broadcast TV signal is used by a TV signal receiver to determine the propagation delay of the broadcast TV signal between the TV signal transmitter and the TV signal receiver. The TV signal receiver is also configured to receive multiple broadcast TV signals from multiple TV broadcasters, wherein the same delay of arrival for those broadcast TV signals can be determined. In this manner, the TV signal receiver can use the determined multiple delays of arrival from the multiple received broadcast TV signals as time-of-arrival (TOA) and the known locations of the antenna radiating these multiple broadcast TV signals to perform a trilateration or multilateration calculation to determine its position.