Cellular Aided Navigation Using Base Station Signal Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for aircraft rely heavily on GPS, which can be disrupted by jamming, necessitating alternative methods for precise location and orientation determination independent of GPS signals.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing 5G cellular base station signals, the technique determines the location and orientation of a vehicle by receiving and demodulating signals from multiple base stations, calculating the angle of arrival, and using known base station locations to triangulate the vehicle's position and velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS navigation systems are used for aircraft positioning, then high precision geo-positioning data can be obtained, but the system becomes vulnerable to jamming and disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cellular base stations as intermediary transmitters to replace GPS satellites in the navigation system. These base stations transmit signals that can be received by the aircraft to determine position, providing an alternative navigation path that bypasses GPS jamming while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the navigation system from satellite-based radio wave transmission to cellular base station-based transmission. This parameter change enables the system to operate independently of GPS infrastructure, thereby eliminating vulnerability to GPS jamming while maintaining positioning functionality
2Reliability
If cellular base station signals are used for navigation, then GPS jamming vulnerability is eliminated, but signal power and positioning accuracy may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the navigation function across multiple cellular base stations rather than relying on a single transmitter. By receiving signals from multiple base stations and processing their relative positions and signal characteristics, the system achieves sufficient positioning accuracy while maintaining independence from GPS infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes cellular base stations serve multiple functions: they act as both communication transmitters and navigation signal sources. This multi-functionality allows the base stations to provide positioning data without requiring dedicated navigation infrastructure, thereby maintaining system reliability while achieving acceptable positioning accuracy
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 method provides a reliable and precise navigation solution even in GPS-denied environments, leveraging the high power and fixed location characteristics of 5G base stations to determine vehicle location and orientation effectively.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at a vehicle, a first signal transmitted by a first cellular base station of the plurality of cellular base stations
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method including: determining a location of each of a plurality of cellular base stations; receiving, at a vehicle, a first signal transmitted by a first cellular base station; receiving a second signal transmitted by a second cellular base station; determining a first angle of arrival of the first signal and a second angle of arrival of the second signal; demodulating the first signal to determine a first identity of the first cellular base station; demodulating the second signal to determine a second identity of the second cellular base station; determining a first location of the first cellular base station based on the first identity; determining a second location of the second cellular base station based on the second identity; and determining a position and velocity of the vehicle from the first location, the first angle of arrival, the second location and the second angle of arrival.