GNSS Antenna Data Link Integrates Sensor and Navigation Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GNSS/INS systems require manual calculation and re-entry of lever arm values, leading to user error and reduced accuracy, especially when the distance between the GNSS antenna and IMU increases, and lack integrated IMU capability, necessitating costly additional hardware for upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A GNSS antenna data link that transmits sensor data and GNSS information from an antenna enclosure to a GNSS receiver, using a single RF communication signal, allowing the GNSS receiver to integrate sensor data with GNSS information for accurate position, velocity, and attitude calculations, with the sensor and GNSS antenna in close proximity to maintain constant lever arm values and enable IMU capability addition without extra hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the GNSS antenna and IMU are mounted at different locations to optimize signal reception and sensor placement, then the system can achieve better signal quality and sensor performance, but the lever arm values become difficult to determine accurately and require manual calculation and re-entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the GNSS antenna and IMU into a single integrated antenna enclosure, eliminating the need for manual lever arm value determination. The components are mounted at fixed positions within the enclosure, allowing lever arm values to be predetermined and stored in memory, thus resolving the contradiction between optimizing separate component locations and maintaining accurate lever arm values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically retrieves lever arm values from memory based on the predetermined configuration, eliminating manual calculation and entry by the user. The integrated design allows the system to self-determine the spatial relationship between components without external intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the GNSS antenna and IMU is increased to allow separate mounting locations, then the system can achieve better component placement flexibility, but the lever arm values increase and magnify IMU errors
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the GNSS antenna and IMU into a single compact enclosure, the patent minimizes the distance between components while maintaining placement flexibility. The integrated design ensures small lever arm values that reduce error magnification, while the overall system remains adaptable through the enclosure's mountable configuration.
3Reliability
If the GNSS antenna and IMU are mounted far apart to optimize individual component performance, then the system can achieve better signal reception and sensor operation, but the lever arm values become more susceptible to changes due to different motion experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the GNSS antenna and IMU into a single rigid enclosure structure, ensuring they experience the same motion and vibrations. This eliminates differential motion between components, stabilizing the lever arm values while maintaining optimal performance of both components through proper internal mounting.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna structure is updated to include IMU capability and sensor capability, then the system can achieve integrated navigation functionality, but additional cabling, communication lines, and hardware are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the IMU and sensors directly within the antenna enclosure, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures, additional cabling, and extra communication lines. The unified design reduces hardware complexity while providing integrated navigation functionality through shared power and data pathways.
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 eliminates the need for manual lever arm value calculation, reduces user error, maintains accuracy by keeping the sensor and GNSS antenna close, and allows for IMU capability upgrades without additional hardware, enhancing the system's reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
An RF modulator of the antenna side controller modulates the sensor data onto an RF communication signal to produce a sensor RF communication signal
Implementation Method 2
A combiner combines the sensor RF communication signal containing the sensor data with one or more GNSS signals containing GNSS information to produce a single RF communication signal
Implementation Method 3
A splitter is utilized to split the single RF communication signal into a GNSS RF path and a sensor RF path
Implementation Method 4
An RF modulator/demodulator of the receiver side controller demodulates the sensor RF communication signal to produce the sensor data
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna enclosure includes a sensor and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna. Within the antenna enclosure, sensor data is combined with GNSS information to produce a RF communication signal, wherein the sensor data is out-of-band from the GNSS information. The RF communication signal is transmitted utilizing a GNSS antenna data link to a receiver side. On the receiver side, the RF communication signal is split into a GNSS RF path and a sensor RF path. The GNSS signals are transmitted to the GNSS receiver via the GNSS RF path. A sensor RF communication signal is de-modulated, and the sensor data is transmitted to the GNSS receiver. When the GNSS antenna data link is bi-directional, information may be transmitted from the GNSS receiver to the antenna enclosure via the GNSS antenna data link.