ECEF Navigation Frame for Faster Inertial Position Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems face inefficiencies in processing resources and accuracy when using Earth Centered Inertial (ECI) frames of reference, particularly in converting detected movements into estimated locations, as they require complex transformations and approximations.
Innovation Solution
The use of an Earth Centered Earth Fixed (ECEF) frame of reference for navigation, which includes unique transformation matrices and state update equations that eliminate the need for approximations, allowing for more efficient and accurate integration of equations of motion, reducing computational requirements and enhancing processing speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Earth Centered Inertial (ECI) frame of reference is used for navigation, then navigation functionality can be achieved, but processing efficiency deteriorates and computational resources increase due to complex transformations and approximations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the reference frame from inertial (ECI) to Earth-fixed (ECEF). This parameter change eliminates the need for complex inertial-to-Earth-fixed transformations and approximations, directly improving navigation calculation speed and reducing computational complexity while maintaining navigation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transforming from the inertial frame to the Earth-fixed frame (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by directly working in the Earth-fixed frame of reference. This inversion eliminates the transformation step entirely, resolving the technical contradiction between navigation accuracy and computational efficiency
2Measurement precision
If Earth Centered Inertial (ECI) frame of reference is used for navigation, then navigation functionality can be achieved, but computing resource consumption increases due to complex transformations and approximations
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the reference frame parameter from inertial to Earth-fixed, the patent eliminates computationally expensive transformation operations and approximations while maintaining position and velocity accuracy. This directly reduces computational resource consumption without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary inertial-to-Earth-fixed transformation step from the navigation calculation process. By working directly in the Earth-fixed frame, it eliminates the source of computational complexity and resource consumption while preserving navigation accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) configured to generate information identifying accelerations and changes in angular orientation associated with an object in motion. The apparatus also includes at least one processor configured to identify a navigation state of the object within an Earth-fixed frame of reference using the information and perform one or more navigation functions based on the navigation state. To identify the navigation state of the object, the at least one processor is configured to use (i) an object body or IMU-to-inertial transformation that is updated based on the changes in angular orientation and (ii) an inertial-to-Earth-fixed transformation. The navigation state of the object may be identified in each of multiple iterations, and the at least one processor may be configured to update the inertial-to-Earth-fixed transformation during the iterations.