Flexible Satellite Position Tracking Using Universal Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current satellite position tracking systems are expensive, inflexible, and require large capital expenditures, making them unsuitable for temporary or scalable applications, such as tracking vehicles or resources during events or studies, where cost-effective and adaptable solutions are needed.
Innovation Solution
A satellite position tracking system that uses a constellation of satellites with a wireless communication network to enable flexible location tracking of mobile devices, allowing position data to be computed and transmitted via cellular networks to a central platform, where users can monitor and analyze the data remotely, using GPS-enabled cellular devices and text messaging protocols for efficient data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional satellite position tracking systems are used, then position tracking capability is achieved, but the system becomes expensive and requires large capital expenditures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using standard mobile devices (cell phones, PDAs, laptops) that users already possess for multiple purposes. These devices are equipped with GPS receivers and can serve both their original functions and position tracking, eliminating the need for dedicated expensive tracking hardware. The system works with any mobile device having GPS capability, making it universally applicable and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the mobile device's own GPS receiver and processing capabilities to determine position. The device independently calculates its location using satellite signals and communicates this information to the tracking system, reducing the need for complex external tracking infrastructure and minimizing capital expenditures.
2Reliability
If traditional satellite position tracking systems are used, then position tracking is achieved, but the system becomes inflexible and unsuitable for temporary applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by allowing flexible configuration and deployment based on specific needs. Tracking can be activated or deactivated, devices can be added or removed from the tracking group, and monitoring parameters can be adjusted dynamically. This makes the system adaptable to temporary events, studies, or applications without requiring permanent infrastructure installation.
Solution Approach 2:
By using universally available mobile devices that users already carry, the system can be quickly deployed for temporary applications without requiring specialized equipment distribution. The same system can serve different purposes (event management, research studies, asset tracking) by simply changing which devices are monitored and what parameters are tracked.
3Measurement precision
If more GPS receivers are used to increase accuracy, then position accuracy improves, but the device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing GPS receivers in universal mobile devices, which are designed with optimized power consumption for continuous operation. These receivers use efficient signal processing algorithms and can operate in low-power modes when precise tracking is not immediately needed, balancing accuracy requirements with battery life constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the need for multiple physical GPS receivers with a single receiver combined with network-assisted processing. The mobile device receives GPS signals and communicates raw or partially processed data to remote servers that perform additional position calculation and verification, achieving high accuracy without requiring multiple receivers in the device itself.
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 provides an inexpensive, reliable, and scalable tracking system that can be easily deployed for temporary purposes, allowing real-time monitoring of mobile devices without the need for significant capital investment, suitable for various applications including event management and short-term studies.
Implementation Method 1
The GPS network utilizes a constellation of more than two dozen GPS satellites to broadcast precise timing signals by radio frequency that are receivable and readable by GPS receivers
Implementation Method 2
GPS receivers determine the time delays between transmission and reception of the signals by comparing time shifts between the unique pseudo-random noise (PN) code signals received from the various and internally generated PN signal sequences
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and related methods for flexibly tracking the position of one or more mobile devices using a satellite positioning system. The embodiments of the invention are particularly adapted to provide an inexpensive, reliable, flexible, and readily scalable solution that can be readily applied without requiring large capital expenditures. Various embodiments of the invention are particularly suitable for scalable use in a variety of areas on a temporary basis.