Linear Radio Receiver Arrays Without Magnetic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems using RF transmissions are unable to determine the orientation or direction an object is pointing, particularly in environments with adverse magnetic fields like steel buildings, which affect the accuracy of inertial sensors such as gyroscopes and magnetometers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a primary radio receiver, secondary and tertiary radio receivers, and a processing unit, which measure the phase of arrival of radio signals from multiple transmitters at known locations to calculate angles and determine the orientation of a linear array of radio receivers using algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inertial sensors such as gyroscopes and magnetometers are used to determine orientation, then the system can track where an object is pointed, but the accuracy is adversely affected by magnetic field interference in steel buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inertial sensors (mechanical/gyroscopic systems) with an RF-based phase difference measurement system. Instead of using gyroscopes and magnetometers that are susceptible to magnetic interference, the system uses radio frequency transmitters and receivers to measure phase differences of signals arriving at multiple receivers, thereby determining orientation without relying on magnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RF signals as an intermediary medium to transfer orientation information. Rather than directly measuring orientation with sensors affected by magnetic fields, the system uses RF transmitters to emit signals and receivers to measure phase differences, with the RF signals serving as carriers that convey spatial and orientation data without being affected by magnetic field interference.
2Reliability
If a linear array of radio receivers is used to determine orientation through phase of arrival measurements, then magnetic field interference is avoided, but the system complexity increases compared to simple inertial sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the orientation measurement function across multiple segmented components: a linear array of radio receivers spaced at specific intervals. Each receiver measures the phase of arrival of RF signals independently, and the collective measurements from all receivers are processed to determine orientation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable orientation measurement without magnetic field interference while distributing the measurement function across multiple simpler individual receivers.
3Measurement precision
If multiple secondary radio receivers are positioned along the axis at non-uniform distances, then orientation determination accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing and setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular parameter values for the receiver array configuration, including non-uniform spacing distances (e.g., specific meter intervals between receivers). These parameter changes are optimized to maximize orientation determination accuracy while maintaining practical manufacturability. The specific spacing parameters are chosen to provide sufficient geometric diversity for accurate phase difference measurements without requiring excessively precise or complex positioning.
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
Accurately determines the orientation of a linear array of radio receivers by iteratively refining angles until an acceptable margin of error is reached, overcoming magnetic interference and improving accuracy in environments with steel structures.
Implementation Method 1
a system for determining an orientation in space of a linear array of radio receivers in a workspace includes a primary radio receiver, a secondary radio receiver located a first distance from the primary radio receiver; a plurality of radio transmitters
Implementation Method 2
The primary radio receiver and secondary radio receiver are capable of measuring phase of arrival of a received signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining the orientation of a linear array of radio receivers in space is provided. The system includes a primary radio receiver and a plurality of secondary radio receivers arranged in a collinear configuration and irregularly spaced apart from one another. The primary radio receiver and plurality of auxiliary radio receivers capable of receiving radio signals from a plurality of transmitters located in known, surveyed locations in a coordinate system. With the location of the primary receiver determined, the direction in which the aligned radio devices is pointed relative to the transmitters is then determined by using the phase angle of arrival (AoA) data from each transmitter.