Celestial Navigation Imaging System for GPS-Denied Environments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional navigation systems relying on GPS are vulnerable to environmental interference and spoofing, leading to positional errors and safety hazards, particularly in environments where GPS signals are unavailable or compromised.

Innovation Solution

A navigation system utilizing an imaging device with a focal plane detector responsive to visible or infrared illumination to image celestial objects and artificial satellites, allowing for in-flight calibration of the imaging device to determine the position of an airborne platform by nulling the difference between expected and actual positions of celestial objects, thereby providing a GPS-independent navigation method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If GPS technology is used for navigation, then global availability and simplicity are improved, but vulnerability to spoofing and environmental interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglobal availabilityVSAvoidvulnerability to spoofing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces celestial objects (stars, planets, moons) as intermediary reference points for navigation. The imaging device captures images of these celestial objects, and their known positions in the sky serve as a trusted reference framework that cannot be spoofed, thereby mediating between the navigation system and the potentially compromised GPS signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic/GPS-based navigation system with an optical/celestial observation system. By using an imaging device to capture celestial objects and calculating position based on their visual positions in captured images, the system substitutes a physical optical measurement approach for the vulnerable electronic GPS signal reception

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If GPS signals are used in denied environments, then navigation continuity is maintained, but positional accuracy deteriorates due to spoofing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation continuityVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses transient celestial configurations (specific positions of stars and planets at specific times) as disposable reference markers. Each celestial observation provides a fresh, independent position fix that does not rely on persistent GPS signals, allowing the system to obtain accurate positioning even when GPS is continuously denied or spoofed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If traditional stellar observation methods are used, then GPS spoofing vulnerability is reduced, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to spoofingVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device automatically captures images of the sky and the processor automatically identifies celestial objects and calculates position based on their positions in the images. This self-service automation eliminates the need for manual operation of traditional sextants and eliminates complex manual calculations, making the reliable celestial navigation method as easy to use as GPS

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex manual mechanical instruments (sextants, theodolites) with an automated imaging device and digital processor. The imaging device automatically tracks and captures celestial objects, and the processor automatically performs position calculations, substituting automated electronic/optical systems for manual mechanical operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution enables accurate and reliable navigation of airborne platforms without relying on GPS, improving positional accuracy and safety by using celestial observations to calibrate the imaging device and determine platform position, even in environments where GPS signals are unreliable.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging device with a focal plane detector responsive to visible or infrared illumination to image celestial objects and artificial satellites

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a focal plane detector responsive to visible or infrared illumination to image a scene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3454011B1Navigation systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.12.08 GOODRICH CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A navigation method includes imaging a first celestial object (12) with an imaging device (102)and calibrating the pointing of the imaging device (102) to position of the first celestial object (12) in the image. A second celestial object (12) and a satellite (20) are imaged and position of the platform (22) determined using position of the conjunction of the second celestial object (12) and the satellite (20) in the image of the second celestial object and satellite. Navigation systems are also described.