Camera-Antenna Tracking for Mobile Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio communication systems, such as those based on IEEE 802.11 standards, face challenges in maintaining accurate tracking of mobile stations due to periods where reception signals cannot be obtained, leading to potential time lags and difficulties in precise tracking, especially in systems requiring high-gain antennas for wide-range and high-speed data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A control device and system that includes a camera and antenna, where image recognition identifies the second mobile body, and the antenna's direction is controlled to match the position of the identified mobile body through a combination of mechanical and electronic tracking mechanisms, using relative positional information and reception state calculations to ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-gain antenna with a large opening diameter is used to achieve higher data transmission speed and desired C/N ratio, then the transmission speed and signal quality are improved, but the main beam width becomes narrow making tracking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking function is divided into two independent parts: camera-based visual tracking and antenna-based signal tracking. The camera captures images and identifies mobile station positions, while the antenna separately receives signals and maintains beam alignment. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with optimal parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary between the mobile station and the antenna tracking system. Instead of the antenna directly tracking the mobile station through signal processing, the camera first captures visual information and identifies position, then this information is used to control the antenna orientation. This intermediary approach enables the antenna to maintain precise tracking without being constrained by narrow beam width limitations.
2Measurement precision
If conical scanning or array antenna methods are used for tracking based on reception signal, then tracking accuracy is improved, but reception signals cannot be obtained during certain periods causing time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The camera continuously captures images and identifies mobile station positions without interruption, providing continuous tracking information. This continuous visual tracking complements the intermittent signal-based tracking, ensuring that position information is always available even when reception signals are not obtainable, thereby eliminating time lags.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera serves as a continuous tracking intermediary that operates independently of signal reception periods. While signal-based methods fail during certain periods, the camera continues to capture and process visual information, providing uninterrupted position data that prevents tracking interruptions and time lags.
3Measurement precision
If both mobile stations are equipped with tracking mechanisms to acquire mutual relative positional relation, then tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking functions of both mobile stations are merged into a single centralized tracking device. Instead of each mobile station having its own tracking mechanism, one mobile station (the master) performs all tracking operations using its camera and controls both its own antenna and the slave mobile station's antenna. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining accurate relative positional relation acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The master mobile station creates a visual copy/image of the slave mobile station through camera imaging. This visual copy provides position information that is then used to control antenna tracking. By using this copied visual information rather than direct signal-based tracking from the slave station, the system achieves accurate relative positioning without requiring the slave station to have its own complex tracking mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device mounted in a first mobile body that includes a camera and an antenna includes: the camera configured to operate such that a direction of an optical axis of the camera and an oriented direction of the antenna are linked to each other; an identification unit configured to identify a second mobile body through image recognition from a captured image captured by the camera operating; and an antenna control unit configured to control the oriented direction of the antenna such that a position of the identified second mobile body in the captured image is a predetermined position.