Cooperative Positioning System Using RSS and IMU Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems, such as GPS, face limitations in indoor environments and fail to provide high accuracy due to line-of-sight obstructions and inherent inaccuracies in consumer systems, which are typically around 10 meters.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combines Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements with Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and ancillary sensors like accelerometers, barometers, and magnetometers to improve positioning accuracy, using a cloud processing engine and cooperative localization algorithms to refine position data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS positioning is used, then positioning coverage is wide, but positioning accuracy deteriorates to about 10 meters and indoor positioning fails due to line-of-sight obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RSS measurements from wireless signals with IMU sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) to create a hybrid positioning system. This merging of multiple measurement sources enables accurate indoor positioning by compensating for GPS limitations through sensor fusion algorithms that integrate data from both RSS and IMU sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces IMU sensors as intermediary devices that provide alternative positioning information when GPS is unavailable. The IMU acts as a mediator by providing inertial navigation data that can be integrated with RSS measurements to maintain positioning accuracy in indoor environments where direct satellite signals are blocked.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RSS measurements are used for positioning, then indoor positioning capability is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to signal interference and multipath effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where IMU sensor data continuously monitors and corrects positioning errors arising from RSS measurements. The system uses accelerometer and gyroscope data to detect motion patterns and provides feedback to compensate for signal interference and multipath effects, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy in indoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite positioning approach by combining RSS measurement data with IMU sensor data. This composite method integrates wireless signal strength information with inertial navigation data, producing a more robust and accurate positioning solution that overcomes the limitations of either method used alone in indoor environments.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are combined to improve accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the multi-functionality of mobile devices by utilizing existing RSS measurement capabilities and IMU sensors that are already present in smartphones and tablets. This universal approach allows the system to achieve high positioning accuracy without adding specialized hardware, as the device's existing sensors serve multiple functions including positioning, navigation, and environmental sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system is disclosed. The positioning system has a map database, a processing engine and a plurality of wireless communication devices including at least a first wireless communication device at a known position and a second wireless communication device at an unknown position. The processing engine determines the position of the second device based on the RSS measurements of a wireless signal transmitted between the first and second devices, the inertial measurements from the second device and the position of the first wireless communication device.