Optical Positioning Using Coded Retroreflectors Without RF Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems rely on costly GPS satellites and are vulnerable to RF signal blocking or jamming, necessitating a positioning system that does not depend on RF signals.
Innovation Solution
An optical positioning system using a laser transceiver and retroreflectors that compute position based on reflected light, employing triangulation with coded laser beams and a database of retroreflector locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS satellites and RF signals are used for positioning, then position computation is enabled, but the system becomes costly and susceptible to blocking or jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the RF signal-based positioning system with an optical positioning system using laser beams and retroreflectors. This substitution eliminates dependence on satellite-based RF signals that are vulnerable to jamming and blocking, providing a more reliable positioning method that operates independently of GPS infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces retroreflectors as intermediary elements placed at known locations throughout the environment. These retroreflectors serve as passive reference points that reflect laser beams back to the transceiver, enabling position computation without requiring active transmitters or satellite infrastructure, thus avoiding the harmful effects of RF signal blocking and jamming.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optical positioning system with laser transceiver and retroreflectors is implemented, then RF signal dependency is eliminated, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retroreflectors in the patent are passive elements that automatically reflect laser beams back to the transceiver without requiring power, control electronics, or active components. This self-service characteristic simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for complex transmitters at reference locations, reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability and signal independence.
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
Provides a robust position location system immune to interference, enabling accurate positioning without RF signals, using triangulation and inertial measurement for navigation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical positioning system comprising a laser transceiver and a plurality of retroreflectors, where the system computes a position of the laser transceiver based upon reflected light from the retroreflectors
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and system for performing optical positioning. The apparatus comprises a laser transmitter configured to transmit a laser beam toward a retroreflector, where the location of retroreflector is known and the retroreflector reflects the laser beam and imparts modulation onto the laser beam. An optical receiver receives the reflected laser beam reflected from the retroreflector and a processor extracts a code from the modulation, determines the location of the retroreflector and calculates the distance from the apparatus to the retroreflector and uses the code and distance to determine a position of the apparatus.