Positioning Device Fault Detection via Group Delay Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning devices face challenges in detecting partial failures of components, such as impedance matching networks or surface acoustic wave filters, which can cause signal distortions and position errors, compromising the reliability of position information, especially in safety-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for detecting potential faults in positioning devices by analyzing signal parameters like gain control values, inter-channel biases, and inter-system biases, using a controller and memory to compare these values against thresholds, generating an indication of fault detection when exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If partial failure of components (e.g., impedance matching network, SAW filter) occurs, then signal distortion and position errors are introduced, but the receiver continues to process and track the distorted signal without detecting the fault
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing group delay values for multiple frequency points during system initialization. When a fault occurs, the receiver can immediately compare current group delay measurements against these pre-stored reference values without needing to perform complex real-time calculations, enabling rapid fault detection while maintaining position information reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces group delay as an intermediary parameter to detect component faults. Instead of directly detecting the fault in the SAW filter or impedance matching network, the system measures the group delay of the received signal, which changes characteristically when faults occur. This intermediary measurement provides a reliable indicator of component health without requiring direct access to the faulty components
2Measurement precision
If the receiver attempts to compute position based on distorted signals through faulted components, then position errors occur, but the system lacks mechanisms to identify when such errors are caused by component faults rather than normal signal variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring group delay measurements and comparing them against pre-stored reference values. When the group delay deviates beyond a threshold from the expected values, the system generates a fault indication. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about component health, preventing loss of fault information and enabling accurate position measurements by alerting the system when distorted signals should not be used for positioning
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for detecting a potential fault in a positioning device, the apparatus including at least one memory for storing instructions, and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including obtaining information about a received signal received by the positioning device, the information including at least one of a control parameter or an estimation of bias based on the received signal; determining whether the potential fault is detected, based on the information and a detection threshold; and in response to a determination that the potential fault is detected, generating an indication that the potential fault is detected.