Connectivity Navigation Using Reliable Sensor Selection in GPS Shadow Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle navigation systems malfunction in GPS shadow areas due to reliance on GPS signals alone, leading to inaccurate position calculation and prolonged calibration times when GPS signals are restored.
Innovation Solution
A method that searches for and selects position sensor data from connected devices, such as mobile terminals and vehicle controllers, based on reliability, using a combination of wired and wireless communication to provide accurate navigation even in areas with poor GPS reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only GPS signal is used for vehicle navigation, then the system complexity is reduced, but the reliability of position information deteriorates in GPS shadow areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS module with multiple alternative sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, barometer) into an integrated navigation system. The head unit aggregates data from these diverse sources to maintain positioning reliability when GPS signals are unavailable, resolving the contradiction by merging multiple simple components into a cohesive system that delivers robust performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between GPS-based positioning and sensor-based dead reckoning based on GPS signal availability. When GPS signal strength falls below a threshold, the system transitions to using accelerometer, gyroscope, and other sensor data with adjusted fusion weights, maintaining positioning reliability without permanently increasing system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and devices are integrated to improve position accuracy, then the reliability of navigation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The head unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a GPS receiver, a data fusion center for multiple sensors, a communication hub between vehicle controllers and mobile terminals, and a navigation calculator. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated devices, improving reliability through diverse data sources while controlling overall system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system performs self-calibration and self-correction by using data from multiple sensors to compensate for individual sensor errors. The system automatically determines when GPS signals are unavailable and switches to alternative sensing modes without external intervention, maintaining high reliability while keeping the control architecture relatively simple through autonomous decision-making.
3Measurement precision
If GPS calibration is performed when exiting GPS shadow area, then the measurement precision is improved, but the time required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects and processes data from accelerometer, gyroscope, and other sensors even when GPS is available, maintaining an up-to-date dead reckoning position estimate. This preliminary action ensures that when the vehicle exits a GPS shadow area, the system already has recent sensor-based position data to immediately compare with and validate against the restored GPS signal, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback between GPS position data and sensor-based dead reckoning position data. When GPS signals are restored after shadow area exit, the system immediately compares the GPS position with the accumulated sensor data, uses the discrepancy to correct sensor biases, and updates the navigation solution in real-time, achieving rapid precision recovery without lengthy calibration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing connectivity navigation with a head unit in a navigation system includes the steps of determining a reception state of global positioning system (GPS) information, searching for at least one device connected by wire or wirelessly, receiving position sensor information from the searched devices, determining reliability of the position sensor information, and selecting information of a device having high reliability as received information based on the determined reliability. In addition, a navigation system including the head unit, a vehicle controller, a mobile terminal, and a telematics server performs the method of providing connectivity navigation.