Laser Communication Link Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current position determination methods, such as satellite-based RF signals, are susceptible to interference and prone to accumulating errors over time, leading to inaccurate positioning.
Innovation Solution
A system using a bundled laser communication link between two communication platforms, where the direction and orientation of the link are determined to calculate the position of the second platform, utilizing dynamic local grid methods and time alignment to achieve precise three-dimensional positioning within the propagation volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite-based RF signals are used for position determination, then absolute position can be determined, but the system becomes susceptible to interference from ground-level jammers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic signals with optical laser signals for position determination. This substitution transitions from RF-based measurement to optical-based measurement, fundamentally changing the signal carrier to achieve immunity against RF jammers while maintaining absolute position determination capability through the same triangulation methodology
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the communication link from radio frequency to optical frequency. By operating in the optical domain rather than RF domain, the system avoids interference from ground-level jammers that target RF signals, while the core position determination algorithm remains based on triangulation geometry
2Ease of operation
If relative position determination methods are used, then position can be calculated from known position and movement, but errors accumulate over time leading to significant inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a network of pre-positioned optical beacons with known absolute positions before the measurement process begins. These beacons provide fixed reference points that allow the mobile platform to determine its position absolutely at any time along its trajectory, preventing error accumulation by continuously referencing known positions rather than integrating movement data
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback by having the mobile platform repeatedly measure its position against known beacon locations. This feedback mechanism corrects any drift or accumulated errors by constantly comparing the calculated position against the known absolute positions of the beacons, maintaining long-term accuracy
3Measurement precision
If known communication network infrastructure is required for position determination, then position can be determined using network-based methods, but the system becomes dependent on infrastructure existence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position determination function from dependence on existing communication network infrastructure by deploying independent optical beacons specifically designed for this purpose. These self-contained beacons provide the necessary reference points without requiring broader network infrastructure, enabling position determination in environments where conventional networks may not exist or be reliable
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 method provides accurate and interference-resistant absolute position determination, maintaining high accuracy over time without accumulating errors, particularly suitable for satellite-to-aircraft or satellite-to-ground applications.
Implementation Method 1
The communication link is a laser communication link
Implementation Method 2
by evaluating a received power level of the laser communication link
Implementation Method 3
to determine a distance between the first communication platform and the second communication platform through the propagation time and the propagation speed of the communication link
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (2) for determining the position of a communication platform, comprising a first communication platform (4a) and a second communication platform (4b), wherein at least the first communication platform (4a) can be in communication connection (6) with the second communication platform (4b), wherein the communication connection (6) is designed as a bundleable communication connection, wherein the direction or orientation of the bundling of the communication connection (6) is determinable and wherein a position of the second communication platform (4b) can be determined by the determinable bundling of the communication connection (6).