Prismatic Relative Positioning System for UAVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing relative navigation systems, particularly for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), face challenges in achieving precise relative positioning between moving objects due to limitations in accurately determining distance and orientation using conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
A relative positioning system comprising an emitter with a prism to refract and disperse electromagnetic radiation, detected by a processor using an array of electromagnetic radiation sensors, which determines the relative position of objects based on the detected wavelengths, allowing for precise distance and angle calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional relative positioning methods are used, then the system is simpler to implement, but the measurement precision of relative position and orientation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spectral dimension by using electromagnetic radiation with different wavelengths. The emitter radiates across a band of wavelengths, and the detector measures wavelengths at different positions, effectively adding a wavelength dimension to the spatial positioning measurement, thereby achieving higher precision without proportionally increasing physical system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic radiation as an intermediary carrier between the emitter and detector. By measuring the wavelengths of this intermediary radiation at different detector positions, the system indirectly determines relative position and orientation with high precision, avoiding direct mechanical or optical contact measurements
2Measurement precision
If wavelength-based positioning is implemented, then the measurement precision improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple sensing elements or segments arranged in an array. Each segment detects wavelengths at a specific position, and by comparing which segments detect which wavelengths, the system determines angular position and distance. This segmentation transforms the complex continuous wavelength measurement into discrete, manageable detection units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the relationship between wavelength and 'color' (spectral position). Different wavelengths correspond to different positions in the detector array, similar to how different colors appear at different positions in a prism spectrum. This natural wavelength-position mapping simplifies the detection process by directly correlating spectral information with spatial detector location
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 accurate and precise determination of relative position and orientation between objects, enhancing navigation accuracy in dynamic environments like those involving UAVs.
Implementation Method 1
a prism arranged to refract and disperse the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source according to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
a prism arranged to refract and disperse the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source according to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A relative positioning system is described. At least one emitter is attached to a first object, where each of the at least one emitters includes: an electromagnetic radiation source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation over a band of wavelengths, and a prism arranged to refract and disperse the electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source according to the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. At least one electromagnetic radiation detector is attached to a second object arranged to detect the wavelengths of some of the electromagnetic radiation refracted and dispersed by a respective prism. At least one processor is configured to determine the relative position of the first object and the second object based on the detected wavelengths by the at least one electromagnetic radiation detector.