Omnidirectional Camera Ring GPS Antenna Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional omnidirectional camera systems face issues with GPS antenna placement, leading to obstruction of the viewing field, measurement errors, and inaccurate positional information due to relative positional variations between the GPS antenna and camera, especially when installed separately or at positions apart from each other.
Innovation Solution
An omnidirectional camera design featuring a cylindrical camera mounting frame with horizontal and vertical camera units and a ring-like GPS antenna positioned on the center line, along with an inertial measurement unit, to minimize obstructions and errors by ensuring the image centers and GPS phase center are aligned, and using a positional information receiving unit to calculate the GPS antenna's coordinate based on received signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the GPS antenna is provided near and above the camera, then GPS signal reception is improved, but the GPS antenna obstructs the photographing of the landscape behind it
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS antenna is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the camera) to a horizontal arrangement (surrounding the camera at the same level). This dimensional change allows the antenna to receive GPS signals effectively while eliminating obstruction to the zenith-direction camera, as the antenna now occupies a different spatial plane rather than vertically blocking the camera's field of view
2Reliability
If the GPS antenna is provided above the camera via a pole at a position apart from the camera, then GPS signal reception is improved, but the GPS antenna and pole obstruct the viewing field
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system transitions from a vertical pole-mounted configuration to a horizontal ring configuration surrounding the camera. This eliminates the need for a tall pole and positions the antenna elements in a horizontal plane, allowing the zenith camera to capture unobstructed views while the ring antenna maintains effective GPS signal reception from multiple angles
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the GPS antenna is provided below the camera at a position apart from the camera, then obstruction of photographing is avoided, but components and devices obstruct GPS signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is repositioned from below the camera to surround the camera at the same horizontal level. This dimensional relocation places the antenna in a position where it does not block the camera's downward view while also avoiding obstruction from other components, as the ring configuration allows GPS signals to reach the antenna from above and the sides without being blocked by camera or mounting structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-like antenna structure serves multiple functions: it provides effective GPS signal reception from multiple directions, does not obstruct the zenith camera's field of view, and allows unobstructed access for other components. The环形 configuration enables the antenna to function effectively while coexisting with other system components without mutual interference
4Ease of manufacture
If the GPS antenna and camera are individually installed, then installation flexibility is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to installation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS antenna and camera are merged into a single integrated unit where the antenna forms a ring surrounding the camera. This integration ensures that both components share the same reference frame and mounting structure, eliminating relative positional displacement that would occur with separate installations. The unified design maintains precise relative positioning while preserving installation flexibility as a complete assembly
5Ease of manufacture
If the IMU is installed at a position apart from the camera, then installation flexibility is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to different acceleration reception
Solution Approach 1:
The IMU is integrated with the camera and GPS antenna into a unified mounting structure, ensuring all three components are positioned at the same reference point. This integration ensures that the IMU measures the same acceleration as the camera, eliminating errors that would arise from separate installations where the IMU might be positioned at the vehicle's center of gravity while the camera is mounted elsewhere
Data Source
AI summary
An omnidirectional camera comprises a camera mounting frame of cylindrical hollow body, a plurality of horizontal camera units, each of which is provided on a horizontal plane orthogonal to a center line of the camera mounting frame and adapted to acquire an image in a horizontal direction. A vertical camera unit is provided so as to coincide with the center line of the camera mounting frame and adapted to acquire an image in a zenith direction. A ring-like GPS antenna is provided so as to surround the vertical camera unit.