GNSS Receiver Ceiling Detection via Signal Strength Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many vehicles lack upwardly oriented sensors to reliably detect ceilings, leading to inaccurate garage parking and increased costs with additional sensors, which are often not necessary.
Innovation Solution
A position determination system using a receiver unit to receive navigation signals from multiple satellites and an evaluation unit to analyze changes in signal strength and lines of sight, allowing the vehicle to detect when it enters or exits a covered area without additional hardware, utilizing existing GNSS devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If upwardly oriented distance-transmitting sensors are installed to detect ceilings, then ceiling detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing GNSS receiver perform multiple functions: not only position determination but also ceiling detection by analyzing signal strength changes and satellite line-of-sight availability. This eliminates the need for separate upwardly oriented sensors while maintaining ceiling detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the GNSS receiver's own operational characteristics (signal strength variations and satellite visibility changes) to detect ceilings, rather than requiring external dedicated sensors. The existing system serves its primary navigation function while simultaneously providing ceiling detection as a byproduct.
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are installed for ceiling detection, then ceiling identification accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing GNSS receiver is made multi-functional by programming it to analyze signal strength changes and satellite line-of-sight availability patterns that indicate ceiling presence. This software-based approach achieves ceiling detection accuracy without requiring additional hardware sensors, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically installing additional sensors, the system creates a virtual model of ceiling detection by analyzing and interpreting the patterns in existing GNSS signal behavior. The signal strength and satellite visibility data are 'copied' and reinterpreted to infer ceiling presence.
3Device complexity
If conventional vehicle sensor systems are used without upwardly oriented sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but garage parking validation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The GNSS receiver is programmed to perform dual functions: navigation and garage detection. By analyzing changes in satellite line-of-sight availability and signal strength, the system can validate whether a vehicle has entered a garage structure, providing the necessary validation reliability without adding physical sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The GNSS signal characteristics serve as an intermediary indicator of garage presence. Rather than directly detecting the garage ceiling, the system uses changes in satellite signal availability and strength as indirect evidence that the vehicle has entered a covered structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If GNSS signal quality thresholds are used to detect tunnels, then ceiling detection is achieved, but adaptability to different covered area types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection algorithm is segmented into multiple independent evaluation criteria: satellite line-of-sight availability analysis, signal strength change detection, and duration-based validation. This modular approach allows the system to adapt to different types of covered areas (tunnels, garages, parking structures) while maintaining detection precision through combined evaluation of multiple factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically evaluates multiple parameters including the number of visible satellites, signal strength variations over time, and the duration of signal degradation. This dynamic multi-parameter assessment allows adaptation to various covered area types and conditions while maintaining accurate ceiling detection.
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
Accurately identifies when a vehicle is entering or exiting a covered area, such as a garage or tunnel, enhancing garage parking validation and reducing errors, while avoiding the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
such systems are based on the propagation time measurement to different satellites
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed relating to a position determination system for a motor vehicle for ascertaining whether the motor vehicle is located in an area covered by a ceiling element of a structure, comprising: a receiver unit, which is designed to receive navigation signals of a plurality of satellites of one or more global navigation satellite systems and to detect a change in signal strength, over time, of the respective navigation signals. An evaluation unit ascertains lines of sight from the motor vehicle to the respective satellites from which navigation signals were received, evaluates the change in signal strength, over time, of the respective navigation signals relative to the respective ascertained line of sight, and ascertains that the motor vehicle is entering the covered area by correlating a driving motion of the motor vehicle with the respective lines of sight.