Short Range Position Sensing Using RF Transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) devices face challenges in determining the position and orientation of a first body with respect to a second body at short ranges, particularly due to the limitations of RF coaxial cables and the inability to maintain carrier phase lock under shock and vibration, as well as the obstruction of GNSS signals in environments like underground settings.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses radio frequency (RF) transmitters on the first body to transmit signals to RF receive antennas on the second body, allowing the determination of position and orientation without requiring a GNSS antenna or receiver on the first body, utilizing a plurality of RF transmitters and receivers to calculate position and orientation using spread spectrum code signals and GNSS antennas for global coordinate reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RF coaxial cables are used to connect GNSS antenna/receiver on the first body to the second body, then position and orientation can be determined, but the cables require complex protection mechanisms and spring coils to handle large angle changes and shock
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the GNSS receiver from the first body and places it only on the second body. The first body carries only a simple RF transmitter, eliminating the need for protected coaxial cables while maintaining position determination capability through wireless RF signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless RF signal transmission system. This substitution eliminates the physical cable that would require protection mechanisms, using electromagnetic fields instead of mechanical connections.
2Measurement precision
If both GNSS antenna and receiver are mounted on the first body, then position determination is possible, but the intense shock and vibration prevent the receiver from maintaining carrier phase lock
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensitive GNSS receiver from the harsh environment of the first body (subject to shock and vibration) and places it on the more stable second body. Only the rugged RF transmitter remains on the first body, eliminating the carrier phase lock problem while maintaining measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If GNSS antenna and receiver are used for short range position sensing, then global coordinate reference is available, but the system cannot operate in environments where GNSS signals are obstructed such as underground settings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal position determination system that works in both open sky environments (with GNSS reference) and obstructed environments (using only RF signals). The RF transmitter-receiver pair provides functionality independent of satellite signal availability, enabling operation underground or in signal-blocked areas.
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 determination of position and orientation over short ranges with low power consumption, effective through smoky, dusty, or foggy conditions, and provides additional information like status and condition data, without the need for GNSS equipment on the first body, ensuring reliable operation in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmitters, each one coupled to a first body, transmits a plurality of RF signals in a first frequency range
Implementation Method 2
Each one of the plurality of RF transmitters transmits an RF signal that is a spread spectrum code signal containing a shared transmitter clock signal and a position message
Implementation Method 3
plurality of GNSS antennas, each one coupled to the second body, receives a plurality of GNSS satellite signals having a second frequency in a GNSS satellite signal frequency range
Implementation Method 4
converting a frequency of each one of the plurality of RF signals received by the first RF antenna from a first frequency in the first frequency range to a second frequency in a GNSS satellite signal frequency range
Data Source
AI summary
A device for determining the position and orientation of a first body with respect to a second body uses a plurality of radio frequency (RF) transmitters on the first body to transmit a short range signal to one or more RF antennas on the second body. The first and second body are near each other and can be moveably coupled. A receiver circuit on the second body uses the plurality of RF signals received by the RF antennas to determine the position and orientation of the first body with respect to the second body. In some embodiments one or more GNSS antennas mounted to the second body will provide the GNSS coordinate system and location such that the position and orientation of both the first body and the second body can be referenced to the GNSS global coordinate system.