Light-Based Communication Vehicle Positioning via Trilateration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining vehicle position, such as GPS, face limitations in dense traffic and obstructed environments, and require broadcast transmissions that can lead to network congestion, necessitating a more accurate and directional communication method.
Innovation Solution
The use of light-based communication systems equipped with LEDs and photodiodes, which employ signal parameters like RSSI or time-of-flight pulses to determine vehicle position through trilateration, allowing for improved accuracy and independence from GPS in close proximity scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used to determine vehicle position, then vehicle location can be obtained, but accuracy deteriorates in dense traffic and obstructed environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-based communication signals as an intermediary medium for position determination. Instead of relying on GPS satellites that are blocked by environmental obstructions, the system uses optical signals transmitted between vehicles and infrastructure as intermediaries to establish line-of-sight communication paths that are not affected by the same blocking issues that impact GPS.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio frequency-based GPS system with an optical communication system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic RF field approach with optical field-based communication using LEDs and photodiodes, the system achieves improved measurement precision in environments where GPS signals are obstructed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If broadcast transmission is used for communication, then all vehicles can receive information, but network congestion occurs in dense traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements directional light-based communication that transmits information locally to specific target vehicles rather than broadcasting omnidirectionally. The optical signals are directed along specific line-of-sight paths, providing localized communication quality that reduces unnecessary transmissions to vehicles that do not need the information, thereby improving network efficiency while maintaining adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If light-based communication with multiple LBC systems is used, then position determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each LBC system multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a transmitter and a receiver. Each LBC system can transmit optical signals to other vehicles and simultaneously receive signals from multiple other vehicles, eliminating the need for dedicated transmitter and receiver units. This universality reduces device complexity while maintaining the capability for accurate position determination through multiple signal paths.
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 approach enhances vehicle pose estimation accuracy by leveraging received signal strength and time-of-flight measurements, providing precise relative location determination between vehicles, even in congested conditions and obstructed environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each LBC system may include a transmitter, such as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
a receiver, such as an array of photodiodes, for transmitting and receiving LBC messages between the vehicles
Implementation Method 3
measuring a first signal parameter of a first digital message received by a receiver array of photodiodes in a first light based communication (LBC) system of a first vehicle and received from a second LBC system of a second vehicle
Implementation Method 4
using trilateration to determine a relative distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based at least in part on the first signal parameter of the first digital message
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining vehicle position uses light based communication (LBC) signals and a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to determine the vehicle position. Each vehicle includes a LBC system having an array of transmitting light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an array of receiver photodiodes for transmitting and receiving pulsed light binary messages. Each LBC system has a controller coupled to the transmitter diodes and receiver diodes. The controller includes a vehicle communication module that may be executed by a processor to determine the distance. The processor models a first distance between a first transmitting LBC system and a first receiving LBC system, then models a second distance between a second transmitting LBC system and the first receiving LBC system, and then determines the distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle using trilateration of the first distance and the second distance.