3D Magnetometer Heading Accuracy in Mobile Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile electronic systems, particularly those using Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), face challenges with accurate heading information due to the high cost, size, and power consumption of gyro-compasses, making them unsuitable for small modules and increasing errors over time.

Innovation Solution

A mobile electronic system incorporating a 3D magnetometer for magnetic measurements in three dimensions, which provides data on the device's posture and can be used as a source for heading information, combined with additional sensors like 3D angular accelerometers to enhance navigation and compensate for magnetic disturbances, allowing for more accurate and reliable orientation data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a gyro-compass is used to provide accurate heading information for INS, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity, cost, and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheading information accuracyVSAvoidelectronics complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gyro-compass system with a magnetic field-based measurement system using a magnetometer. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical gyroscopes and their associated electronics, achieving the same heading determination function through a simpler magnetic sensing approach that directly measures magnetic field orientation without mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective magnetometer instead of expensive gyro-compasses. The magnetometer is a simpler, less expensive component that can be easily integrated into mobile electronic systems, providing sufficient heading information accuracy without the high cost and complexity of traditional gyro-compass technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If a gyro-compass is used to ensure accurate heading, then measurement precision is improved, but the physical size increases making it unsuitable for small modules

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheading information accuracyVSAvoidsensor size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gyro-compass with a magnetic field sensing system that has no moving parts. The magnetometer measures heading information through electronic detection of magnetic field orientation, eliminating the physical bulk of mechanical gyroscopes and achieving compact integration in small mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a conventional 3-axis gyro-compass is used in a small INS, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the power-intensive mechanical gyro-compass with a low-power magnetic field measurement system. The magnetometer consumes significantly less power as it electronically senses magnetic field orientation without the mechanical movement and associated power requirements of gyro-compass components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a low-power magnetometer that consumes minimal energy compared to gyro-compasses. This cost-effective sensor provides sufficient orientation accuracy for mobile INS applications without the high power consumption characteristic of traditional 3-axis gyro-compass systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The 3D magnetometer and angular accelerometer combination offers a cost-effective, compact solution for accurate heading information, reducing errors and improving navigation capabilities in mobile devices, enabling enhanced user experiences and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a 3D (three-dimensional) magnetometer performing magnetic measurements in three dimensions and providing data indicative of the current posture of the mobile electronic system based on these measurements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field measurement: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS8401571B2Mobile electronic system

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 IOT INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile electronic system. In order to expand and enhance the usability of the mobile electronic system, it is proposed that it comprises a 3D magnetometer 51 performing magnetic measurements in three dimensions and providing data indicative of the current posture of the mobile electronic system based on these measurements. Further, it is proposed that the mobile electronic system comprises processing means 52, 54 processing the data provided by the 3D magnetometer 51 for enabling a posture related presentation of information via output means 12, 42 of the mobile electronic system. The invention relates equally to components of such a system and to a corresponding method.