NATTS Celestial Navigation Using CCD Sky Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of remote communications devices are vulnerable to electronic signal jamming and lack precision, especially when RF signals are blocked.
Innovation Solution
A device that captures earthbound images of the sky using a CCD and a chronometric component to measure time synchronously with standard time, transmitting data representative of the images wirelessly, allowing for location determination using celestial navigation techniques, which are not dependent on RF signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF signal-based location methods (TOA, TDOA, AOA) are used, then location precision can be improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to electronic signal jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the RF signal-based electronic location determination system with an optical system using a CCD imager to capture celestial images. This substitution uses optical photons from stars and other celestial bodies instead of radio frequency signals, making the system immune to RF jamming while maintaining location determination capability through celestial navigation principles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces celestial bodies (stars, moon, planets) as intermediary reference points for location determination. Instead of directly using RF signals between the tracker and satellites, the system uses the positions of celestial objects as intermediaries to triangulate the tracker's location, providing a alternative pathway that bypasses RF jamming interference
2Measurement precision
If GPS receivers with specialized equipment are used, then location determination precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the imaging function from complex GPS receiver systems and implements location determination using a simple CCD imager that captures celestial images. By taking out only the essential imaging capability and using standard celestial navigation mathematics, the system achieves GPS-level precision without the complexity of specialized GPS receivers, chronometers, and signal processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the fundamental principle of celestial navigation used by traditional navigators and implements it using modern digital imaging technology. By capturing digital images of the sky with a CCD and applying computational algorithms to determine star positions and triangulate location, the system replicates the accuracy of specialized GPS equipment using simpler, more versatile imaging components
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
Enables precise location determination of remote communications devices even in environments where RF signals are jammed, providing a robust and reliable method for tracking assets without interference.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging component configured to capture an earthbound image of the sky from a terrestrial location
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a terrestrial location of an apparatus that is deployed in a generally known geographical region includes capturing, by the apparatus, an earthbound image of the sky from a terrestrial location at an identified time; communicating, by the apparatus, data representative of the captured earthbound image of the sky; and determining the terrestrial location of the apparatus based on the data communicated by the apparatus by comparing the captured earthbound image of the sky to a master mapping of the sky relative to the surface of the Earth.