Golf Course Position Correction Using a Fixed GPS Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining a position on a golf course, such as GPS systems, often result in significant errors (5-15 meters), which can be unsafe for autonomous vehicles and inaccurate for golf players, especially when the position of holes changes frequently.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a master unit with a satellite navigation receiver at a fixed position, processing and broadcasting corrections to slave units, allowing them to improve their position determination, even when moving, by calculating and applying differences in latitude and longitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS satellite navigation system is used to determine position on golf course, then position determination is available, but position accuracy is poor (error of 5-15 meters)
Solution Approach 1:
A master receiver at a fixed reference position acts as an intermediary between satellite navigation systems and slave receivers. The master receiver processes satellite signals to determine a compensation value that corrects positional errors, then transmits this compensation value to slave receivers via a communication network, enabling accurate position determination without direct satellite-to-slave communication
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the master receiver continuously monitors satellite signals at a known reference position, calculates compensation values based on the difference between expected and actual satellite signal measurements, and transmits these corrections to slave receivers. This feedback mechanism enables real-time correction of positional errors for moving objects
2Measurement precision
If GPS receiver is used for position determination, then position information is obtained, but the error is significant (5-15 meters) making it unsafe for autonomous vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The master receiver serves as a centralized intermediary that performs complex satellite signal processing and compensation value calculation. Slave receivers can remain relatively simple devices that only need to receive and apply the compensation value transmitted through the communication network, reducing their individual complexity while achieving high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the complex functions of satellite signal processing, error calculation, and compensation value generation into a single master receiver unit. This centralization allows slave receivers to be simpler devices that focus only on receiving compensation data and applying it to their position calculations
3Measurement precision
If standard GPS position determination is used, then position is obtained, but accuracy is insufficient for precise navigation and distance calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The master receiver continuously calculates compensation values based on satellite signal measurements at a known reference position and transmits these corrections to slave receivers. This feedback loop compensates for satellite signal errors and other sources of positional inaccuracy, maintaining high position accuracy as slave receivers move throughout the golf course
Solution Approach 2:
The compensation value transmitted by the master receiver acts as an intermediary correction that bridges the gap between standard GPS position determination and the required high accuracy. This intermediate correction layer eliminates position errors without requiring fundamentally different positioning technology
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 system significantly reduces positional errors, enabling accurate navigation for autonomous vehicles and precise distance calculations for golf players, even when hole positions change, thus improving safety and accuracy on the golf course.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the master unit, the first slave unit and the second slave unit comprises a processing unit, a memory, a receiver for a satellite navigation system
Data Source
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AI summary
Determining a position on a golf course is useful in several circumstances, however there are challenges in doing it with accuracy. Disclosed is a system for determining a position on a golf course, comprising a master unit and at least one slave unit, wherein the master unit and the at least one slave unit are adapted to communicate through a telecommunications network, wherein the master unit comprises a receiver for a satellite navigation system, the receiver being operable at a fixed position on the golf course, and wherein the master unit is configured to: obtain a position determined by the receiver; process the displacement between the obtained position and the fixed position; and make the processed displacement available to the at least one slave unit through the telecommunications network. A slave unit then makes use of the processed displacement to improve positions determined by itself.