Calibration Factor Geolocation Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing geolocation methods, such as GPS, face limitations in accuracy due to obstructions and environmental factors, particularly when determining the location of multiple transmitters with known relative locations, leading to non-precise geolocations using radio response technologies.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine the relative location of each transmitter with respect to others, compute a calibration factor by comparing initial geolocation to known relative locations, and adjust the final geolocation using this factor to improve accuracy, utilizing multidirectional signal communication and multiple receivers for precise geolocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional radio response technologies are used for geolocation, then the system can determine transmitter locations, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental factors, multipath, and propagation effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeolocation accuracyVSAvoidenvironmental factors and multipath effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using the known relative locations of transmitters to compute calibration factors that correct the initial geolocation measurements. The calibration module continuously compares the initial geolocation results against the known relative positions and adjusts the measurements accordingly, creating a feedback loop that compensates for environmental errors and improves measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of location measurement by introducing calibration factors that transform the initial geolocation data into calibrated geolocation data. These calibration factors adjust the measurement parameters based on the known relative positions of transmitters, effectively compensating for the harmful effects of environment and multipath on the location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If GPS is used for geolocation, then positioning can be achieved, but reliability deteriorates when obstructions exist between receiver and satellite

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGPS positioning reliabilityVSAvoidobstructions blocking satellite signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a network of transmitters with known relative positions as mediators between the receiver and the target location. Instead of relying directly on satellite signals that may be blocked, the system uses these intermediary transmitters to establish location through signal response measurements that are less susceptible to obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/electromagnetic satellite-based positioning system with a ground-based transmitter network system. This replacement provides alternative positioning capability that does not depend on line-of-sight to satellites, thereby improving reliability in obstructed environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple transmitters with known relative locations are used, then geolocation accuracy can be improved through calibration, but device complexity increases due to multiple receivers and calibration computations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeolocation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of receivers and calibration processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the geolocation system into multiple independent transmitters with known relative positions, each contributing to the overall calibration. This segmentation allows the system to distribute the complexity across multiple simple transmitter units rather than requiring a single complex positioning system, while still achieving high accuracy through the collective calibration data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7515104B2Structured array geolocation

Publication Date: 2009.04.07 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Methods and systems for providing an improved geolocation of a plurality of transmitters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing a geolocation of a plurality of transmitters includes determining a relative location of each transmitter in the plurality of transmitters with respect to at least one other transmitter in the plurality of transmitters; determining an initial geolocation of the plurality of transmitters; computing a calibration factor by comparing the initial geolocation of the plurality of transmitters to the relative locations of the plurality of transmitters; and determining a calibrated geolocation of the plurality transmitters by adjusting at least one final geolocation of the plurality of transmitters by the calibration factor.