Mobile Device Geolocation Using Periodic GPS and Inertial Drift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile device positioning systems, such as GPS, consume excessive battery power and rely on continuous signal reception, while inertial navigation units provide accurate displacement but suffer from integration drift, making them unreliable over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combines a local positioning component, such as an inertial navigation unit, with a reference positioning component, like a GPS receiver, to determine a mobile device's location by using a local-positioning period based on desired accuracy, updating location fixes periodically to conserve power and maintain accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for continuous positioning, then location accuracy is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs GPS location fixes periodically rather than continuously, determining optimal periods based on current location uncertainty and required accuracy. This periodic sampling reduces energy consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy within acceptable thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors location uncertainty metrics and adjusts the frequency of GPS fixes accordingly. When uncertainty remains within acceptable bounds, the system extends the period between fixes, reducing power consumption. When uncertainty exceeds thresholds, the system increases fix frequency to maintain accuracy.
2Use of energy by moving object
If INU is used for continuous positioning, then power consumption is reduced, but location reliability deteriorates due to integration drift
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges INU and GPS positioning systems into a unified location management architecture. The INU provides continuous low-power displacement measurements while GPS provides periodic reference fixes to correct drift, combining the advantages of both systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The location component acts as an intermediary that processes and reconciles data from both INU and GPS systems. It manages the integration of these different positioning sources, using GPS fixes to calibrate and correct INU drift while maintaining smooth transitions between the two systems.
3Measurement precision
If GPS signal reception is required, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but system reliability decreases when signal strength is weak
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the INU to independently maintain positioning capability during GPS signal degradation or loss. By continuously measuring device displacement and using this information to update location estimates, the INU enables the system to maintain operational reliability even when external GPS signals are unavailable or weak.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining geolocation of a mobile device, and a system for performing the method. The mobile device includes a location component, a local positioning component, and a reference positioning component. The method includes determining a local-positioning period based on an identified factor, and obtaining a location fix for the device from the reference positioning component. The method further includes commencing the period and measuring movement using the location component. The method also includes determining a present location of the device, using the location component, based on the location fix and the movement data and, during the period, repeating the measuring and determining steps. The method further includes, after the period expires, updating the location fix with a new location fix from the reference positioning component, resetting the local-positioning period; and repeating the steps for determining location during the reset period using the new location fix.