Deterministic Relative Velocity Vectors Using Doppler LIDAR Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems, such as GPS, are unreliable in GPS-denied environments due to jamming or spoofing, leading to inaccurate position, orientation, and velocity measurements, which are susceptible to systematic errors and external interference.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained navigation system using a combination of Doppler LIDAR sensors, a clock, heading sensors, and terrain matching systems to measure speed and distance relative to a reference frame, providing accurate and continuous navigation without external signals, employing coherent receivers for high signal-to-noise ratio measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used for navigation, then position and velocity information can be obtained, but the system becomes unreliable in GPS-denied environments due to jamming or spoofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the navigation functionality from external GPS dependency and implements it using onboard sensors (Doppler LIDAR, inertial measurement units, odometry) that can operate independently in GPS-denied environments, thereby eliminating vulnerability to GPS jamming and spoofing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Doppler LIDAR as an intermediary measurement tool that directly measures velocity relative to the ground or environment, providing an independent verification path that does not rely on external GPS signals and is resistant to electronic interference
2Duration of action of stationary object
If inertial navigation is used to maintain position and velocity, then navigation continues without external signals, but systematic errors accumulate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using Doppler LIDAR to continuously measure velocity relative to the environment and compare it with inertial navigation estimates, allowing for error detection and correction that prevents systematic drift over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical inertial sensors with an optical-based Doppler LIDAR system that measures velocity through light frequency shifts, providing a non-mechanical reference that does not suffer from the same accumulation of systematic errors
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are combined for navigation, then accuracy and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the Doppler LIDAR system multi-functional by using it for both velocity measurement and positioning, and by having it serve as both a primary navigation sensor and a backup for GPS-denied environments, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized sensors
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, long-term navigation with minimal systematic errors, allowing vehicles to autonomously navigate and avoid hazards in GPS-denied environments, maintaining precise speed measurements over time.
Implementation Method 1
A self-contained navigation system using a combination of Doppler LIDAR sensors, a clock, heading sensors, and terrain matching systems to measure speed and distance relative to a reference frame
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing self-contained guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) functions for a vehicle moving through an environment on or near the ground, in the air or in space without externally provided information are disclosed. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention includes a Heading Sensor (36), an Absolute Location Sensor (38), a timer (40), a Range Doppler Processor (42), a Navigation Reference Sensor (44), an Area Range and a Velocity Sensor (46) which provide enhanced navigation information about a universal reference frame (22) and one or more targets (20).