Celestial Navigation Imaging for Jamming-Resistant Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of remote communications devices are vulnerable to electronic signal jamming and lack precision, particularly in environments where RF signals are blocked.
Innovation Solution
A device that captures earthbound images of the sky using a CCD and chronometric components to determine terrestrial location through celestial navigation, transmitting data wirelessly and processing images to compensate for distortions, allowing location determination independent of RF signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF signal-based location methods (TOA, TDOA, AOA, GPS) are used, then location precision is improved, but vulnerability to electronic signal jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF signal-based location methods with optical/celestial navigation methods. Instead of using radio frequency signals for TOA, TDOA, AOA, or GPS positioning, the system uses optical sensors to capture images of celestial bodies and performs triangulation based on angular measurements of stars, moons, or planets. This substitution eliminates vulnerability to RF signal jamming while maintaining location precision through celestial reference points that cannot be electronically blocked.
2Reliability
If celestial navigation is used, then immunity to jamming is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging device multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a communication device and as a celestial navigation instrument. The same optical sensor that captures images for communication purposes also performs celestial navigation and location determination. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated navigation hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining jamming immunity through celestial reference methods.
3Measurement precision
If image processing is performed to compensate for distortions, then location accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs distortion compensation through preliminary image processing steps that prepare the captured images for rapid location determination. By pre-processing the images to correct for optical distortions, atmospheric effects, and calibration parameters, the system establishes accurate reference frames in advance. This preliminary action enables faster subsequent location calculations without requiring time-consuming processing during the critical location determination phase.
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 precise location determination of remote communications devices even in jamming environments, providing a robust and accurate method for tracking assets without relying on RF signals.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging component configured to capture an earthbound image of the sky
Implementation Method 2
using a CCD and chronometric components to determine terrestrial location
Data Source
AI summary
A first apparatus includes an imaging component configured to capture an earthbound image of the sky from a terrestrial location, a chronometric component, a communication component configured to transmit data representative of a captured earthbound image of the sky, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause an earthbound image of the sky to be captured using the imaging component at a time identified by the chronometric component and data representative of the captured earthbound image to be transmitted. A second apparatus includes a computer and a computer readable medium accessible by the computer and including data representative of a master mapping of the sky relative to the Earth and computer-executable instructions for determining a terrestrial location based on data representative of a captured earthbound image of the sky and an identified time at which the earthbound image was captured. A system includes the first and second apparatus.