Optical Fiber Position Sensing Using Scattered Light Landmarks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current position measurement techniques, such as GPS and LiDAR, face limitations in environments with electromagnetic noise or water, where measurement accuracy is reduced due to interference and attenuation, leading to increased costs and complexity in installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A position measuring system that uses an optical fiber installed along the trajectory of an object, receiving scattered light from a light source with multiple wavelengths, allowing for accurate position estimation based on light intensity or color information, enabling measurement independent of environmental conditions and optical axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for position measurement, then measurement can be performed over long distances, but measurement accuracy is reduced and electromagnetic interference occurs in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS radio wave-based positioning with a light-based optical fiber positioning system. The optical fiber transmits light signals to illuminate landmarks, and the reflected light is detected by a light receiver, substituting electromagnetic radio wave measurement with optical measurement to eliminate electromagnetic interference in indoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fiber and light as intermediaries between the position measurement device and landmarks. The optical fiber delivers light to illuminate landmarks, and the light receiver detects reflected light, using light as a mediator to transfer position information without electromagnetic interference.
2Reliability
If LiDAR is used for position measurement, then measurement can be performed in electromagnetic noise environments, but measurement accuracy is reduced when blocking objects are present in the optical axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement space into multiple segments by illuminating multiple discrete landmarks distributed throughout the environment. Instead of using a single optical axis, the system segments the measurement task into multiple light paths from the light source through different landmarks to the light receiver, allowing position measurement even when some paths are blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional optical axis measurement to two-dimensional or three-dimensional position measurement by using multiple landmarks at different spatial positions. The light receiver detects reflected light from multiple landmarks to calculate position coordinates, adding spatial dimensions to overcome blocking objects.
3Measurement precision
If multiple LiDARs or safety fences with landmarks are installed to improve measurement accuracy, then position measurement reliability increases, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical fiber serve multiple functions: it acts as both the light source transmission medium and the positioning reference structure. The same optical fiber infrastructure that provides lighting also enables position measurement, eliminating the need for separate LiDAR systems and safety fences with attached landmarks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lighting function and position measurement function into a single integrated system. The optical fiber that illuminates the environment also serves as the reference for position measurement, combining what would traditionally be separate systems into one unified infrastructure.
4Device complexity
If optical fiber with single wavelength light is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but position measurement accuracy is reduced due to light attenuation variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light used in the optical fiber system. By using light with a wavelength of 1550 nm, the system exploits the low attenuation window of optical fiber to maintain signal strength over long distances, improving position measurement accuracy without complicating the system architecture.
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 system provides accurate two-dimensional position measurement of objects in challenging environments without the limitations of GPS and LiDAR, reducing costs and complexity by using a single optical fiber and multiple wavelengths to account for varying light attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical fiber installed along a trajectory of an object to be measured; and a light source configured to cause light having at least two wavelengths to be incident on the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a position measuring device installed to an object to be measured receives scattered light emitted from a side surface of an optical fiber installed along a trajectory of the object to be measured
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a position measuring system, a position measuring device, and a method for measuring a position that can accurately measure the position of an object to be measured without being limited by an environment or an optical axis.A position measuring device 20 according to the present invention is characterized by including a light receiving unit 21 configured to receive scattered light Lsc emitted from a side surface of an optical fiber 50, a database 22 configured to store a correspondence between information on the scattered light and a position of the object to be measured, and a determination unit 23 configured to determine, based on the correspondence stored in the database, a position of the object to be measured from information on the scattered light received by the light receiving unit.