GNSS-Denied Location via Communication Parameter Aggregation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals are often blocked in environments like buildings, making it difficult for mobile devices to determine geographical locations, as they require a line of sight to satellites and can be affected by multipath errors from reflective surfaces.
Innovation Solution
Mobile devices collect and share radio communication parameters through social networking applications to build a database, correlating these parameters with geographical information, allowing for location determination even in GNSS-denied areas by using back-end algorithms to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GNSS signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but location determination becomes impossible in building structures that block GNSS signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication parameters (cell tower signals, Wi-Fi signals) as intermediary elements to determine location when GNSS signals are blocked. These intermediary signals can penetrate building structures and provide location information through triangulation and signal strength measurement, resolving the contradiction between maintaining location accuracy and adapting to GNSS-denied environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the type of measurement parameters from GNSS satellite signals to terrestrial communication signals (cell tower IDs, signal strength, Wi-Fi MAC addresses). By changing the parameter source and type, the system maintains location determination capability in environments where original GNSS parameters are unavailable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If GNSS signals are blocked by buildings, then location determination in indoor environments becomes difficult, but using alternative methods increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes mobile devices perform multiple functions: they continue to use GNSS for outdoor positioning while also collecting communication parameters for indoor positioning. The same device hardware (cellular radio, Wi-Fi interface) serves dual purposes, reducing additional complexity while enabling indoor positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing communication infrastructure (cell towers, Wi-Fi networks) that is already present in indoor environments. Rather than deploying dedicated indoor positioning infrastructure, the system leverages existing services and infrastructure, minimizing added system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If communication parameters are collected from multiple devices, then location prediction accuracy in GNSS-denied environments is improved, but data aggregation and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and storing communication parameters and associated location data in a database during normal operation. This pre-collected data is then used for rapid location prediction when needed, reducing real-time processing requirements while maintaining high prediction accuracy through aggregated historical data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving location information from a mobile device, the location information indicating a location of a mobile device operating the mobile device in a global positioning navigation satellite system (GNSS)-location-denied environment. One or more communication parameters associated with communications between the mobile device and a network can be identified. The communication parameters can be associated with the location of the mobile device. The mobile device can provide the location information using a social networking site, for example, using a check-in feature or drop-down location menu.