Optical Sun Position Sensor for GPS-Denied Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
GPS-reliant geolocation sensors are unable to determine a user's location when GPS signals are unavailable, such as in areas with signal blockage, limiting their effectiveness and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An optical position sensor device that receives sunlight to determine the current angular position of the sun, combined with a processor and memory to calculate the device's location using the sun's position, time of day, and data from compass and tilt sensors, allowing location determination without GPS information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS satellite signals are used to determine location, then location accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates when signals are blocked or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters used for location determination from GPS satellite signals to natural solar illumination and ambient light sources. By measuring the angular position of light sources and analyzing their characteristics, the system achieves location determination without relying on GPS signal parameters, thereby maintaining reliability in GPS-denied environments while preserving acceptable location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical sensing mechanism that captures indirect information about location through ambient light sources. Instead of directly receiving GPS signals, the system uses sunlight and other light sources as intermediaries to infer positional data, enabling location determination when direct GPS signal reception is blocked or unavailable
2Ease of operation
If GPS-dependent systems are used, then ease of operation is improved when signals are available, but adaptability deteriorates in areas with signal blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal location determination system that can operate across multiple environments and conditions. By designing the optical sensor to detect various light sources (sun, moon, stars, artificial lights) and using multiple sensing modalities (angular position, intensity, spectral characteristics), the system achieves multi-functionality that adapts to different environmental conditions, from open skies to urban canyons with signal blockage
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 reliable location determination even without GPS signals, providing a backup method for geolocation sensing that is more useful and reliable than traditional GPS-dependent systems.
Implementation Method 1
an optical position sensor configured to receive sunlight and determine a current angular position of the sun relative to the geolocation sensor device based, at least in part, on the received sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
Geolocation sensor devices, methods, and systems are described herein. One geolocation sensor device includes an optical position sensor configured to receive sunlight and determine a current angular position of the sun relative to the geolocation sensor device based, at least in part, on the received sunlight, a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to determine a current location of the geolocation sensor device based, at least in part, on the determined current angular position of the sun and a current time of day.