Phase Difference Positioning via Switched Antenna Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning systems lack high accuracy, are vulnerable to jamming, have limited update rates, and do not provide full control over the system, especially for platforms requiring precise navigation in various environments, including outer space.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system utilizing a base station with multiple spaced-apart RF antennas that generate and switch a periodic signal, allowing a receiver with a single antenna to estimate phase differences and determine its position through phase difference estimation, enabling precise location determination and resistance to jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for positioning, then positioning information can be obtained, but the precision is limited to 2-3 meters and the system can be blocked or jammed
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the positioning function into multiple independent components: multiple transmitting stations with known positions, multiple receiving stations, and a central computer for calculations. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high precision through geometric distribution of stations while maintaining reliability through redundancy and independence of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculating device (central computer) that processes signals from multiple receiving stations and performs complex calculations to determine positions. This intermediary handles the computational burden and provides centralized control, improving both precision through multi-point triangulation and reliability through centralized coordination.
2Productivity
If GPS update rate is increased for highly maneuvering platforms, then positioning responsiveness improves, but the system complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining the positions of transmitting stations and pre-establishing communication protocols. The central computer continuously calculates and updates positions based on received signals, enabling high update rates (50-100Hz) without requiring complex real-time processing at the receiving stations, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where receiving stations continuously transmit their positions and status information to the central computer, which then updates the positioning data and provides feedback control. This feedback loop enables high update rates while keeping the architecture simple and manageable through centralized coordination.
3Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are used in the positioning system, then positioning precision and anti-jamming capability improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the antenna system universal by using multiple antennas at both transmitting and receiving stations for multiple functions: signal transmission, signal reception, direction of arrival determination, and position calculation. This multi-functionality improves precision and anti-jamming capability while managing complexity through standardized antenna configurations and centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of multiple antennas into a unified positioning framework where all antennas work together under centralized control. The central computer integrates signals from multiple antennas and performing calculations to determine positions, combining the capabilities of individual antennas into a cohesive system that achieves high precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 achieves high precision and rapid update rates, providing robust and accurate positioning information, even in challenging environments, and can operate in outer space with enhanced security against signal interference.
Implementation Method 1
A positioning system utilizes a base station with multiple spaced-apart RF antennas that generate and switch a periodic signal
Implementation Method 2
allowing a receiver with a single antenna to estimate phase differences and determine its position through phase difference estimation
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a system and method for positioning a receiver, the system comprising an antenna array coupled to a common generating and switching unit. The generating and switching unit is configured to generate a periodic signal and to switch the signal between at least two antennas, constituting a positioning signal; such that an RF receiver receiving the positioning signal and having a phase difference estimator is capable to measure phase differences between portions of the positioning signal transmitted by the spaced-apart antennas, the phase differences indicating the orientation of the received relative to the positioning system.