Spread Spectrum Ranging Waveforms for Multiplatform Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiplatform systems, such as missile networks, face challenges in accurately determining vehicle-to-vehicle range due to navigational errors, which can lead to collisions, as existing systems do not effectively update or correct these errors, especially when GPS signals are unavailable.
Innovation Solution
The system employs coded waveforms transmitted by networked nodes to estimate and correct navigational errors, using a transmission schedule that optimizes overlap and code length based on the number of nodes and channel quality, allowing nodes to revise their trajectories and reduce the possibility of collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used to reduce navigational errors, then range accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication intermediary system that exchanges ranging data between nodes. Instead of relying solely on GPS, nodes transmit coded waveforms and receive ranging information from networked nodes to correct navigational errors, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where nodes continuously exchange ranging data and navigational information. This feedback loop allows nodes to correct their position estimates based on networked measurements, improving accuracy without requiring complex GPS-dependent systems
2Reliability
If coded waveforms are transmitted to estimate vehicle-to-vehicle range, then collision risk is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of coded waveforms rather than continuous transmission. Nodes transmit ranging signals at scheduled intervals to update position estimates, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining collision avoidance capability through regular position updates
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits coded waveforms with optimized overlap and code length based on the number of nodes and channel quality. This partial action approach ensures sufficient ranging accuracy for collision avoidance without the excessive energy consumption of continuous or overly frequent transmissions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If spread spectrum ranging waveforms are used, then anti-jamming performance is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts waveform parameters including code length and transmission overlap based on channel quality and the number of nodes. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain ranging precision under varying conditions while optimizing anti-jamming performance through spread spectrum techniques
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 enables accurate range estimation and reduces navigational errors, preventing collisions by correlating coded waveforms even in low SNR conditions, ensuring precise deconfliction and anti-jamming benefits across the network.
Implementation Method 1
each node is configured to receive a plurality of coded waveforms transmitted by the other nodes and correlate the received coded waveforms
Implementation Method 2
Multiplatform systems and methods for ranging correction using spread spectrum ranging waveforms over a netted data link
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a multiplatform system and method for ranging correction use spread-spectrum ranging waveforms over a netted data link. Each node may have a trajectory toward a target and may have a navigational error with respect to the trajectory. The nodes may transmit coded waveforms at one or more scheduled times for receipt by one or more of the other nodes during unused time slots on the netted data link. The nodes may correlate coded waveforms received from the other nodes to estimate a range to at least some of the other nodes. Each node may reset its navigational error and revise its trajectory based on the range estimates to the other nodes to avoid a possible collision with one or more of the other nodes.