Radiating Cable Positioning System With Dual-End GNSS Signal Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing indoor positioning systems using radiating cables are imprecise and lack continuous positioning between indoor and outdoor environments, requiring specific applications and being prone to service disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A positioning system along a radiating cable that generates synchronized GNSS signals at both ends, allowing users to maintain continuous positioning without interruptions by simulating open-sky conditions, using a configuration file with visibility masks, navigation data, and clock synchronization to eliminate propagation differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single GNSS signal generator is used at one end of the radiating cable, then the system cost is reduced, but the positioning precision along the cable deteriorates and service continuity between indoor and outdoor environments is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem costVSAvoidpositioning precision along the cable
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the radiating cable into two sections with signal injection points at both ends. Each end has its own GNSS signal generator that creates signals propagating in opposite directions, allowing precise positioning along the entire cable length while maintaining service continuity between indoor and outdoor environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and stores visibility masks and navigation data in configuration files before operation. This preliminary preparation enables the dual-end signal generators to quickly establish accurate positioning without service disruption when transitioning between indoor and outdoor environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If signal intensity measurement is used to determine position along the cable, then positioning capability is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to power variations and interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of measuring signal intensity to determine position, the system inverts the approach by injecting synchronized GNSS signals at both ends and using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of these known signals to calculate position. This eliminates the precision problems associated with RSSI measurements while maintaining positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If multiple GNSS generators are distributed along the cable to improve positioning precision, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the cable into two sections with injection points at each end, achieving precise positioning throughout the entire cable length. This segmentation approach provides accurate positioning without the complexity and cost of distributing multiple generators along the entire cable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If sections are discretized with independent GNSS generators to achieve spatial resolution, then positioning precision improves, but interference increases when sections are close together

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different characteristics to signals from each end - specifically, signals from opposite ends are designed to be distinguishable by the receiver. This local differentiation allows spatial resolution along the cable while minimizing interference between adjacent signal sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 precise user positioning along the radiating cable with minimal service disruption, maintaining continuous operation between indoor and outdoor environments without the need for additional applications or increased system costs.

Implementation Method 1

a cable positioning system radiant (leaky feeder) in which the position of a terminal is determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3698173B1Positioning system with GNSS signal generation means and radiating cable
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 SYNTONY
  • EP3698173B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3698173B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3698173B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a positioning system and method along a cable. The positioning system (100) comprises, besides the radiating cable (110), generation means (120) for generating first and second GNSS signals, first injection means (131) for injecting the first GNSS signals at a first end of the cable, and second injection means for injecting the second GNSS signals at the second end of the cable. The first (second) GNSS signals are defined as those that would be received at a point situated at a first (second) virtual end of the cable, in an open-sky configuration, from a first (second) set of satellites visible in a first (second) cone of visibility.