Self-Configuring Radio Beacon Positioning for Watercraft Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems face performance deterioration and high maintenance costs when a radio transmitter or beacon fails, requiring manual replacement and reprogramming, which can be hazardous and time-consuming, especially in adverse conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system of at least four transmitting units, where one unit emits a signal to the others, which respond, allowing the determination of relative position data and assignment to stored desired positions, eliminating the need for manual programming and reducing maintenance effort by enabling automatic position determination and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual replacement and reprogramming of radio beacons is performed, then full redundancy and performance of the navigation system are restored, but maintenance time and costs increase, and system reliability deteriorates during the replacement process
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-identification and self-positioning of replacement radio beacons through signal exchange with existing beacons. The control unit automatically determines position data and assigns beacon identities without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to service itself during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic configuration of replacement beacons by pre-determining their position data through signal exchange with existing beacons before they become operational. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual programming during critical maintenance windows, reducing both maintenance time and reliability deterioration during replacement.
2Reliability
If manual replacement and reprogramming of radio beacons is performed, then full redundancy and performance of the navigation system are restored, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic self-configuration system eliminates the need for specialized service personnel to manually program replacement beacons. The control unit automatically handles position determination and identity assignment, reducing maintenance labor costs and eliminating the need for expensive specialized maintenance equipment and training.
3Reliability
If manual replacement and reprogramming of radio beacons is performed under adverse operating conditions, then full redundancy and performance are restored, but personnel safety and operational efficiency are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-configuration of replacement beacons through automated signal exchange and control unit processing. This eliminates the need for personnel to physically access hazardous locations such as ship decks in adverse weather conditions, allowing maintenance to be performed remotely or from safe locations while restoring full system redundancy.
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 system allows for precise and automatic determination of the position and identity of transmitting units, reducing maintenance time and costs, and ensuring reliable navigation even in adverse conditions, particularly beneficial for watercraft and aircraft navigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
The first transmitting unit (1) is designed to emit a first transmission signal (11) to each of the three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4)
Implementation Method 2
The first transmitting unit (1) is designed to determine relative position data relating to the first transmitting unit (1) with respect to the three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4) on the basis of the returned first response signals (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (10) for determining the position of a transmitting unit (1). The system has an arrangement (20) of at least four transmitting units (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a first transmitting unit (1) of the at least four transmitting units (1, 2, 3, 4) is designed to emit a first transmission signal (11) to each of the three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4). Each of the three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4) is designed to receive the first transmission signal (11) and, after receiving the first transmission signal (11), to return a first response signal (12) to the first transmitting unit (1). The first transmitting unit (1) is designed to determine relative position data relating to the first transmitting unit (1) with respect to the three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4) on the basis of the returned first response signals (12). The three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4) each have stored position data relating to desired positions (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a) of the arrangement (20) of transmitting units (1, 2, 3, 4). The first transmitting unit (1) is designed to obtain the stored position data relating to the desired positions (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a) from the three remaining transmitting units (2, 3, 4). The first transmitting unit (1) is designed to assign the relative position data determined by the first transmitting unit (1) to the obtained position data relating to a single desired position (1a) in order to determine the position of the first transmitting unit (1) within the arrangement (20) of transmitting units (1, 2, 3, 4) on the basis of the assignment. The invention also relates to a watercraft (100) having a system for determining the position of a transmitting unit (1) and to a method for determining the position of a transmitting unit (1).