Single Antenna Direction Finding via Inertial Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing localization technologies face challenges in indoor environments due to low accuracy of GPS signals, especially when obstacles are present, and current methods using acoustic waves are not applicable for electromagnetic waves.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a single antenna and inertial measurement system with a central processing unit, employing Bluetooth Low Energy or other wireless technologies to determine direction of arrival (DOA) by generating a virtual array response vector through motion, allowing for accurate direction finding in three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna arrays are used to detect direction of arrival, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single antenna that moves through space to create a virtual array, transforming a static complex structure into a dynamic simple one. The antenna's physical movement generates the spatial diversity needed for direction finding without requiring multiple simultaneous antenna elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of an antenna array by moving a single antenna through positions that correspond to where array elements would be located. This virtual array response is synthesized through motion, replicating the measurement capabilities of a physical array with a single element.
2Ease of operation
If GPS signals are used for indoor localization, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic wave-based GPS positioning with a system that combines electromagnetic signal reception with mechanical motion sensing. By using inertial measurement data to track antenna position and combining this with received signal strength information, the system achieves indoor localization without relying on satellite GPS signals.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic waves are used for localization, then measurement precision is improved for time-based techniques, but adaptability deteriorates as the method fails for electromagnetic waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter being measured from time-based acoustic propagation to motion-based electromagnetic signal reception. By using the antenna's physical movement through space as the measurement basis rather than acoustic wave propagation time, the system achieves precision comparable to acoustic methods while being fully adaptable to electromagnetic waves.
Data Source
AI summary
Single antenna direction finding is performed by physically moving a device to different device positions. As the device is physically moved, signal processing hardware within the device is used to make a plurality of signal response measurements of a wireless signal detected by a single antenna of the device. The wireless signal emanates from an object. The plurality of signal response measurements are made by sampling signal response at a plurality of sample times. An inertial measurement system makes a plurality of inertial measurements at the plurality of sample times. The plurality of signal response measurements and the plurality of inertial measurements are used to produce a virtual response array vector. The virtual response array vector is used to calculate a direction of arrival from the object to the device.