Roadside Sensor Positioning for GPS-Denied Vehicle Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current positioning technologies for vehicles and other objects face challenges when GPS signals are unavailable, leading to reduced positioning accuracy and practicality, especially in environments like tunnels and mountains, due to the difficulty in maintaining and updating high-precision maps.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a first device that detects target objects using sensors and determines their absolute location information, which is then wirelessly transmitted to a second device on the object, allowing for precise positioning without relying on GPS signals by using a wireless network and sensors like video cameras or laser radars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-precision map with topographical features is prestored in the in-vehicle terminal for positioning when GPS signal is unavailable, then positioning can be achieved in special scenarios, but the map is difficult to produce and maintain, and positioning accuracy deteriorates over time if not updated timely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidmap production and maintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces roadside devices as intermediaries between the positioning system and vehicles. These devices equipped with sensors detect target objects and determine their absolute location information, which is then transmitted to vehicles via wireless networks. This mediator approach eliminates the need for complex high-precision map production and maintenance while ensuring reliable positioning in GPS-denied environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of pre-storing and updating high-precision maps with an electronic information transmission system. Instead of physically maintaining map data in vehicles, the system uses roadside devices to detect and transmit location information electronically via wireless networks, significantly reducing production and maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If high-precision map is used for positioning in GPS-denied environments, then positioning can be achieved, but positioning accuracy is seriously affected when the map is not updated in a timely manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where roadside devices continuously detect target objects and determine their absolute location information using sensors. This real-time detection and transmission of location data ensures positioning accuracy is maintained without relying on periodic map updates, as the system dynamically obtains current position information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If sensor precision is increased to improve positioning precision, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning system into roadside devices equipped with sensors and in-vehicle terminals. The complex sensor-based detection and location determination functions are concentrated in roadside devices, while in-vehicle terminals only need to receive and process transmitted location information. This segmentation reduces the sensor system complexity and cost in vehicles while maintaining high positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enhances positioning precision and operability by simplifying the process and increasing sensor accuracy, enabling effective location determination even without GPS signals, thus improving safety in automated driving scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor detects a target object... a detection signal that is obtained when the sensor detects the target object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

sensors like video cameras or laser radars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Implementation Method 3

absolute location information of the target object... is then wirelessly transmitted to a second device on the object, allowing for precise positioning without relying on GPS signals by using a wireless network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3565283B1Positioning method and device
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3565283B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3565283B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3565283B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application relates to the field of communications technologies and discloses a positioning method and a device, so as to improve operability of positioning when there is no GPS signal. The method includes: detecting, by a first device by using a sensor, a target object that occurs within a range detectable to the sensor; and performing, by the first device, the following operations when the sensor detects any target object: determining relative location information of the first device relative to the target object according to a detection signal that is obtained when the sensor detects the target object, determining absolute location information of the target object according to the relative location information and prestored absolute location information of the first device, and sending, by using a wireless network, the absolute location information of the target object to a second device disposed on the target object. In this way, compared with a prior-art positioning manner, this method is easy to implement and improves operability of positioning.