Portable GNSS Power Conservation via Accelerometer Interpolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable GNSS devices face battery life issues due to the high power consumption required for continuous operation of GNSS receivers, limiting their usage duration.

Innovation Solution

A low-power supplemental speed measurement unit, utilizing a force measurement module like an accelerometer, cooperates with the GNSS to periodically switch the GNSS into a low-power state, reducing power consumption by using the accelerometer to estimate speed and location, thereby extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the GNSS receiver operates continuously to maintain accurate location and speed tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation and speed tracking accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system alternates between active GNSS reception and low-power sleep modes, periodically activating the GNSS receiver to obtain location and speed data, then switching to sleep mode while maintaining supplemental tracking. This periodic operation significantly reduces average power consumption while preserving measurement accuracy through intermittent high-precision updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

A supplemental low-power tracking system acts as an intermediary between the high-power GNSS receiver and the final speed measurement output. This supplemental tracker maintains basic tracking capability at low power consumption, allowing the GNSS receiver to enter sleep mode while preserving continuous speed tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the GNSS receiver is placed in low-power state to conserve battery, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidspeed and location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching the GNSS receiver between full-power active mode and low-power sleep mode based on tracking needs. During active periods, the receiver operates at high precision; during sleep periods, the supplemental tracker maintains adequate precision at lower power consumption, optimizing the balance between accuracy and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If a supplemental low-power speed measurement unit is added to enable GNSS to enter low-power state, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental low-power tracking functionality is merged with the existing GNSS receiver system, allowing both high-precision GNSS tracking and low-power supplemental tracking to operate in coordination. This integration enables the GNSS receiver to enter sleep mode while maintaining continuous speed tracking capability, reducing overall power consumption without requiring entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach significantly reduces power consumption, allowing GNSS-enabled devices to operate for longer periods by alternating between high and low power states based on movement speed, thereby extending battery life and maintaining accurate speed calculations.

Implementation Method 1

A low-power supplemental speed measurement unit, utilizing a force measurement module like an accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS9658338B2Apparatus and method to conserve power in a portable GNSS unit

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A device is disclosed that is capable of determining its location using high-power with high accuracy, and using low-power with lower accuracy. By coordinating usage between the high power method and the low power, overall power consumption of the device can be significantly reduced without a significant reduction in accuracy. Such high accuracy may be achieved through the use of a GNSS unit, such a GPS receiver. In addition, the low-power alternative may be achieved using an accelerometer, together with software, hardware or firmware for extrapolating a speed based on the force measurements by the accelerometer. In this manner, the GPS receiver can be operated for only a fraction of overall use, primarily to provide adjustment data necessary to calibrate usage of the accelerometer.