Indoor Satellite Navigation via Micro Simulator Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) face significant challenges in providing accurate navigation in enclosed areas such as buildings, tunnels, and urban canyons due to signal blocking by structures, leading to limited and inaccurate navigation, and existing solutions often require extensive infrastructure deployment or modification of receivers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple micro simulators that transmit local GNSS signals, with a master micro simulator synchronizing other simulators to create a network that mimics satellite signals within enclosed areas, allowing continuous navigation coverage by simulating signals from multiple satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional GNSS receivers are used in enclosed areas, then the structure provides shelter and protection, but satellite signals are blocked or diminished making navigation unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micro simulators as intermediary devices that generate artificial GNSS-like signals within enclosed areas. These micro simulators act as mediators between the need for navigation and the blocked satellite signals, creating a local signal environment that enables conventional receivers to function indoors without modifying the receivers themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro simulators create copies of authentic GNSS satellite signals within the enclosed area. By generating signal copies that mimic real satellite transmissions including proper timing and positioning data, the system enables receivers to obtain navigation information as if satellite signals were directly visible, effectively copying the outdoor navigation experience indoors.
2Reliability
If micro simulators are deployed to provide indoor GNSS coverage, then navigation coverage is improved, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large-scale GNSS infrastructure into small, distributed micro simulator units. Instead of deploying one complex centralized system, the navigation function is segmented into multiple independent micro simulators that can be individually installed and managed throughout the enclosed area, reducing the complexity burden on any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro simulators are designed to be universal devices that can be deployed in various enclosed environments (buildings, tunnels, urban canyons) without requiring environment-specific customization. Each micro simulator performs multiple functions: generating signals, synchronizing with master simulators, and providing navigation data, making the infrastructure adaptable and reducing deployment complexity across different applications.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple micro simulators are synchronized to cover an enclosed area, then continuous navigation is achieved, but synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro simulators employ periodic synchronization actions where slave simulators regularly update their timing and signal parameters based on references from master simulators. This periodic resynchronization ensures continuous coverage while managing complexity through predictable, rhythmic coordination rather than constant complex communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization network is designed to be self-organizing where slave micro simulators automatically locate and synchronize with master simulators without requiring manual configuration. The system performs self-service through automatic discovery, timing alignment, and signal coordination, reducing the operational complexity of managing the synchronization network.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A navigation system for an enclosed area, the navigation system comprising: a) at least one satellite signal receiving station, positioned outside the enclosed area, to receive satellite signals transmitted by a constellation of satellites and to determine time synchronization information relative to the transmitted signals; b) at least one local transmitting station, positioned within the enclosed area, to transmit a local signal compatible with the transmitted satellite signals; and c) a communication channel to communicate self-alignment information between each station and at least one other station; wherein each local transmitting station uses the self-alignment information to generate the local signal; and wherein the at least one local signal provides navigation information useable by a satellite navigation receiver.