Rotating Magnetic Field Positioning for Attenuated Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RF-based position location systems are ineffective in environments with signal attenuation or multi-path issues, such as underwater, underground, or in-building settings, where GPS and RF triangulation fail due to interference from conductive or magnetic materials.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing three or more receivers to detect phase differences in a rotating magnetic field, allowing for the determination of an object's location by calculating distance and angle based on phase shifts, independent of signal strength, which penetrates materials like rock and water without significant attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If RF-based position location systems are used, then position determination can be achieved in open environments, but the systems fail in environments with signal attenuation or multi-path issues such as underwater, underground, or in-building settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF electromagnetic wave-based positioning with acoustic wave-based positioning. Acoustic waves can penetrate conductive and magnetic materials (water, rock, soil) that attenuate RF signals, enabling reliable position determination in underwater, underground, and in-building environments where RF-based systems fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental wave parameter from RF electromagnetic waves to acoustic waves. This parameter change allows the system to operate in environments with signal attenuation for RF signals, as acoustic waves are not significantly attenuated by conductive or magnetic materials, thereby improving both environmental adaptability and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If GPS is used for position determination, then accurate location can be obtained in open skies, but the system becomes inoperable when the target object cannot receive RF GPS signals from satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes RF electromagnetic wave-based GPS with acoustic wave-based positioning. Acoustic waves can propagate through water, rock, and soil where RF GPS signals cannot penetrate, enabling position measurement in environments where GPS is inoperable while maintaining measurement precision through acoustic time-of-flight calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium for position determination. Instead of relying on RF signals that cannot penetrate certain materials, the system uses acoustic waves that can propagate through these media, acting as a mediator to enable position measurement in previously inaccessible environments.
3Productivity
If RF triangulation is used, then position can be pinpointed using signal strength and time-of-arrival, but the system fails when target objects experience excessive attenuation or multi-path problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF electromagnetic wave-based triangulation with acoustic wave-based positioning. Acoustic waves do not experience the same attenuation and multi-path problems as RF signals in conductive and magnetic materials, eliminating these harmful factors while maintaining efficient position location through acoustic time-of-flight measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wave type parameter from RF electromagnetic waves to acoustic waves. This parameter change fundamentally alters how signals interact with the environment, eliminating signal attenuation and multi-path interference that plague RF-based systems, thereby improving productivity by removing harmful environmental factors.
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 location determination in challenging environments by using phase differences in magnetic flux, providing a reliable method for positioning in areas where traditional systems fail, with improved precision through trigonometric calculations and Matched Field Processing algorithms.
Implementation Method 1
a source that emits a rotating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The systems and methods use phase difference in magnetic flux detected at spaced-apart receivers to determine the location of the source
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for locating the position of a source that emits a rotating magnetic field. Three or more receivers are deployed or positioned in known position relative to each other, which may be along a common axis in some cases. Phase differences between the magnetic fields measured by the receivers are detected. The phase shifts are used to determine the location of the source. With three receivers, a range and bearing angle relative to a middle receiver may be determined. With five or more receivers, a range and two bearing angles may be determined, thereby providing a three-dimensional position.