Satellite Localization via Asynchronous Signals and Fixed Receiver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localization systems for mobile devices in multidimensional spaces face challenges in achieving accurate position determination while maintaining industrially acceptable costs, particularly due to high energy consumption and costly synchronization methods.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using mutually temporally asynchronous synchronization signals emitted by satellites, which are received by both a fixed receiver device and a mobile device. The fixed receiver device generates and transmits time information to the mobile device, allowing it to determine its position without the need for synchronized satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellites use UWB signals for time synchronization, then accurate time synchronization is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the satellites themselves and transfers it to a dedicated fixed receiver device. Satellites only emit simple synchronization signals without needing to receive and process UWB frames for synchronization, thereby dramatically reducing their energy consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed receiver device acts as an intermediary that performs the complex synchronization processing. It receives synchronization signals from satellites, processes timing information, and provides synchronized time references to mobile devices without requiring the satellites to perform energy-intensive reception operations.
2Measurement precision
If cables are used to connect satellites for time synchronization, then accurate time synchronization is achieved, but infrastructure cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless signal-based synchronization system. The fixed receiver device wirelessly receives synchronization signals from satellites and processes timing information, eliminating the need for physical cables and reducing infrastructure installation complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed receiver device serves as an intermediary that enables time synchronization without direct physical connections between satellites. It processes timing information from wireless signals and distributes synchronized time references, replacing the need for cable-based direct satellite-to-satellite synchronization.
3Measurement precision
If atomic clocks are used at each satellite for time synchronization, then accurate time synchronization is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the expensive atomic clock requirement from the satellite system. Instead of equipping each satellite with costly atomic clocks, the system uses simpler time sources at satellites combined with a dedicated fixed receiver device that performs precise timing processing, dramatically reducing overall system cost while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive atomic clocks with more affordable time sources at satellites. The critical expensive timing processing function is relocated to a fixed receiver device that can use less expensive but still accurate timing mechanisms, reducing the overall cost of the synchronization infrastructure.
4Ease of manufacture
If satellites are battery-powered, then installation flexibility is improved, but energy consumption becomes insufficient for UWB frame reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy-intensive reception function from satellites and assigns it to the fixed receiver device. Satellites only perform the low-power emission of synchronization signals, allowing them to be battery-powered and installation-flexible, while the fixed receiver handles all complex processing requirements.
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 reduces energy consumption and costs by allowing satellites to be battery-powered and eliminates the need for expensive synchronization methods, while enabling accurate and efficient localization of mobile devices within the space.
Implementation Method 1
the infrastructure includes several satellites or anchors, fixed on the walls of the hangar, and intended to periodically send ultra-wideband (UWB) signals
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a method includes emitting at least one group of at least N+1 mutually temporally asynchronous synchronization signals from at least N+1 fixed emitting locations in a space, receiving the synchronization signals of the group by a mobile device and at at least one fixed receiving location in the space, determining a reception moment of each synchronization signal of the at least one group by the mobile device in a time base specific to the mobile device, determining a reception moment of the synchronization signals of the at least one group at the at least one receiving location in a time base specific to each receiving location, and determining a position of the mobile device in the space at a given moment based on the reception moments determined at the at least one receiving location, the reception moments determined by the mobile device, coordinates of the emitting locations in the space and a distance between each emitting location and the at least one receiving location.