DNV Magnetometer Navigation Using Power Line Magnetic Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) face navigation challenges in GPS-denied environments and degraded visibility conditions due to their reliance on visual flight references, which are vulnerable to detection and impacted by lighting conditions, and require substantial on-board computing resources and RF emissions, limiting their stealth and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The use of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (DNV) magnetometer systems that exploit the characteristic magnetic signatures of power lines and communication networks for navigation, enabling stealthy transit and precise positioning through high-sensitivity magnetic field measurements, allowing UASs to align and move along power-line infrastructure routes without detailed a priori knowledge of the route.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and visual flight references are used for navigation, then navigation accuracy is improved, but the UAS becomes vulnerable to detection and is ineffective in degraded visibility environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS satellite-based navigation and visual optical references with a magnetometer-based magnetic field navigation system. The magnetometer detects magnetic field signatures from power lines and communication towers to provide navigation cues, substituting the mechanical/optical navigation systems that are vulnerable to detection and weather conditions with a passive magnetic sensing approach that operates independently of visual conditions and does not emit detectable signals.
2Measurement precision
If SAR and PCL are utilized for terrain imaging, then navigation capability is improved, but the system requires higher altitude operation exposing it to detection and substantial on-board computing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the navigation function from complex active sensing systems like SAR and PCL that require substantial on-board computing and high-altitude operation. Instead, it uses a simplified magnetometer-based system that detects magnetic field signatures from infrastructure, removing the need for complex signal processing hardware and reducing operational altitude requirements while maintaining navigation capability.
3Measurement precision
If visual flight references are used to remove INS errors, then navigation accuracy is improved, but a large image database must be carried on-board impacting platform endurance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the visual reference system requiring large on-board image databases with a magnetometer-based magnetic field mapping system. The magnetic field signatures from power lines and communication infrastructure serve as navigation references without requiring substantial storage capacity, thereby preserving platform endurance while maintaining the ability to correct INS drift errors.
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
DNV magnetic navigation systems provide accurate and stealthy navigation in GPS-denied environments and poor visibility conditions, with fast settling times and low cost, space, weight, and power requirements, allowing UASs to operate close to power lines and detect anomalies in power line infrastructure with high precision.
Implementation Method 1
exploit the characteristic magnetic signatures of power lines and communication networks for navigation
Implementation Method 2
diamond nitrogen-vacancy (DNV) magnetometer systems utilizing human infrastructure with characteristic magnetic signatures
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and configurations are disclosed for exploiting characteristic magnetic signature of electrical power transmission and distribution lines for navigation.