Spatial Orientation Determination Using Partial Electromagnetic Signal Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems require precise directional information from external transmitters to determine spatial orientation, which can be complex and space-intensive, and may not be accurate or responsive enough for rapid changes in orientation.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses less precise directional information from at least three electromagnetic signals to determine spatial orientation, including yaw, pitch, and roll angles, without requiring complex directional antenna systems, by detecting partial directional information such as azimuth angles and using iterative refinement techniques to calculate angular velocities and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional navigation systems use precise directional information from external transmitters to determine spatial orientation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only one angle measurement (azimuth or elevation) instead of requiring both angles for complete directional information. This partial measurement approach still enables spatial orientation determination through iterative refinement, reducing the complexity of directional antenna systems while maintaining sufficient accuracy for navigation applications
2Measurement precision
If traditional navigation systems use complete directional information (both azimuth and elevation angles), then measurement precision is improved, but the system becomes more space-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary directional information (one angle measurement) from the complete directional data set, discarding the requirement for the second angle. This extraction approach maintains sufficient measurement precision for spatial orientation while significantly reducing the volume and complexity of the antenna system required
3Speed
If inertial navigation systems are used to determine spatial orientation, then responsiveness to rapid orientation changes is improved, but drift over time reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using iterative refinement techniques where the spatial orientation determination is continuously improved through multiple calculation cycles. The system uses electromagnetic signal measurements combined with previously determined orientation information to correct drift, maintaining both responsiveness and long-term reliability without requiring complex inertial sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a spatial orientation of a body, including receiving, by receiving equipment located with the body, at least three electromagnetic signal sets, each of the received signal sets having been transmitted by a different one of at least three separate transmitters at different locations, detecting, for each one of the received signal sets, information that partially defines a direction from the body to the transmitter from which the signal set was received, the detected information including one of two angles that fully define an arrival direction from which the body received the signal set in relation to a body frame, the detected information not including a second of the two angles, and determining the spatial orientation of the body, including yaw, pitch, and roll angles relative to a navigation frame, using the detected information for each one of the received signal sets.