GPS Attitude Determination System Self-Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS-Based Attitude Determination Systems (ADS) face challenges in diagnosing operational failures, particularly distinguishing between signal blockage due to improper installation sites or mounting conditions and sensor anomalies, leading to increased user effort and time in troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
A GPS-Based ADS incorporating a blockage area calculator and sensor anomaly detector generates information to identify the cause of failures, including blockage areas and sensor anomalies, allowing users to determine if issues are due to signal blockage, improper installation, or sensor failures, using a monitor to present this information for effective troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor portion is installed at an inappropriate location or under inappropriate mounting conditions, then the GPS-Based ADS can be installed more flexibly, but the system produces operational problems that are difficult to diagnose
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary diagnosis by continuously monitoring GPS signal characteristics and comparing them against predefined criteria for appropriate installation sites. Before confirming system operation, the diagnosis unit verifies that the sensor portion is installed in a suitable location with adequate GPS signal reception, preventing operational problems from developing in the first place.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnosis unit provides continuous feedback about installation appropriateness by monitoring GPS signal quality and comparing it against expected characteristics for proper installation sites. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of installation problems and guides users to correct inappropriate mounting conditions, thereby maintaining system reliability while allowing installation flexibility.
2Device complexity
If the GPS-Based ADS provides only basic GPS satellite information, then the system remains simple, but users cannot judge whether the installation site and mounting conditions are appropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnosis unit enables the system to self-diagnose installation appropriateness by automatically monitoring GPS signal characteristics and comparing them against predefined criteria. The system serves itself by providing diagnostic information about installation quality without requiring external expert analysis, making troubleshooting accessible to ordinary users while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in GPS signal parameters such as signal strength, satellite visibility, and geometric distribution to determine installation appropriateness. By tracking these parameter variations over time and comparing them against expected ranges for proper installation, the system provides diagnostic capability without adding significant complexity, enabling users to assess installation quality through observable parameter changes.
3Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are used to detect GPS signal blockage, then signal blockage detection capability is improved, but the number of required antennas increases beyond two
Solution Approach 1:
The existing two-antenna GPS receiver is made multi-functional by adding a diagnosis unit that performs both navigation and installation diagnosis functions. The same antenna signals used for position determination are also analyzed for installation appropriateness assessment, eliminating the need for additional antennas while maintaining diagnostic capability through multi-functional use of existing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnosis unit acts as an intermediary that processes GPS signal information already received by the two antennas and extracts additional diagnostic value from these signals. Rather than requiring more antennas to detect blockage, the intermediary diagnosis unit analyzes signal characteristics, satellite geometry, and reception quality from the existing antenna configuration to determine installation appropriateness.
Data Source
AI summary
A GPS-Based ADS for determining attitude and heading of a moving body comprises a GPS receiver, an inertial sensor unit, a blockage area calculator, a sensor anomaly detector and a monitor. The GPS-Based ADS provides information useful for making a judgment on appropriateness of installation sites and mounting conditions of a GPS antenna and inertial sensors based on blockage area information concerning each satellite signal blockage area obtained by the blockage area calculator and sensor signal anomaly information concerning each inertial sensor anomaly obtained by the sensor anomaly detector.