Signal Source Location Estimation Using Directional and Power Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating the location of a signal of interest (SOI) are inaccurate in environments with unpredictable multipath signal losses, as they fail to effectively process directional samples and power variable measurements from disparately located signal receiving systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves sensing directional samples and measuring power variables of the SOI using multiple signal receiving systems, processing these data points to estimate the SOI's location, and applying clustering to remove outliers and account for multipath effects, using equations to derive the source's position and computing a circle-error probability for accurate estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If known techniques process only directional samples without power variable measurements, then the processing complexity is lower, but the location estimation accuracy deteriorates in environments with multipath signal losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines directional samples and power variable measurements from multiple signal receiving systems into a unified processing framework. By merging these different types of measurements and processing them together through maximum likelihood estimation, the system achieves improved location estimation accuracy in multipath environments while managing the processing complexity through integrated algorithms.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple signal receiving systems are used to sense directional samples, then the coverage area increases, but the processing complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal processing framework that handles directional samples and power variable measurements from multiple receiving systems simultaneously. The maximum likelihood estimation algorithm serves as a multi-functional processor that can accommodate varying numbers of receiving systems and different measurement types, making the system scalable and adaptable to different coverage requirements without proportionally increasing processing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If power variable measurements are combined with directional samples, then the location estimation accuracy improves in multipath environments, but the measurement and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces power variable measurements as an intermediary that bridges the gap between directional samples and accurate location estimation in multipath environments. These power measurements serve as additional information that mediates the estimation process, helping to distinguish direct signals from multipath reflections and improving overall location accuracy without requiring fundamental changes to the measurement infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of estimating the location of the source of a signal of interest (SOI), includes the steps of:(a) sensing a plurality of directional samples of the SOI by using at least one signal receiving system at disparately located signal receiving locations;(b) with at least one of the signal receiving systems, measuring the power variable of the received SOI; and(c) processing the sensed directional samples of the SOI in combination with the power variable measurement of the SOI to estimate the location of the source of the SOI.