GNSS Antenna Phase Centre Compensation via Signal Direction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High precision GNSS systems require stable phase centers for accurate positioning, but antennas with stable phase centers are often bulky and expensive, leading to the use of less precise designs in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method to compensate for the offset of the phase center of an antenna by determining the direction and frequency of received satellite signals, using stored correlation information to improve the accuracy of phase center determination, and incorporating an orientation determining device to account for rotational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antennas with stable phase centers are used to achieve high positioning accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of phase center position by determining it dynamically based on the direction of incoming satellite signals. Instead of relying on a fixed physical structure to maintain phase center stability, the system calculates the phase center position as a function of signal direction, thereby achieving stable positioning accuracy with simpler antenna structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical solution (complex antenna structure with fixed stable phase center) with a computational/mathematical solution (calculating phase center position based on signal direction). This substitution allows achieving the same positioning accuracy without the physical complexity of specialized antenna designs.
2Measurement precision
If direction-dependent phase center compensation is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the phase center position based on the direction of incoming signals before using it for positioning calculations. By pre-calculating the phase center position as a function of signal direction, the system avoids complex real-time calculations during positioning, thereby reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a position of a phase centre of an antenna arranged in a mobile device, in particular a vehicle, wherein the antenna is operable to receive satellite signals in a global navigation satellite system, the method comprising: receiving, with the antenna, satellite signals from satellites of the global navigation satellite system; determining a direction from which the satellite signals are received based on the received satellite signals; and determining the position of the phase centre of the antenna based on the direction from which the satellite signals are received and stored correlation information indicative of a correlation between the position of the phase centre and the direction from which the satellite signals are received.