Surface-Tracked Acoustic Navigation for Underwater Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current navigation systems for underwater vehicles face challenges such as limited accuracy, high operational costs, and latency due to the inability to use satellite-based navigation underwater and the complexity of determining position and motion in three-dimensional space.
Innovation Solution
A surface transmitter system that includes control means to move on the water surface and receive position information from underwater vehicles, emitting signals to determine distance and position, allowing for real-time, high-precision navigation without the need for anchored buoys or extensive calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite-based navigation (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo) is used for position determination, then navigation accuracy is improved, but it cannot function underwater since radio signals do not propagate through water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium for navigation. Instead of using satellite radio signals that cannot penetrate water, the system employs acoustic transmitters and receivers that communicate through sound waves propagating in water, enabling position determination in the underwater environment while maintaining navigation functionality
2Measurement precision
If long-baseline method with anchored beacons is used for underwater navigation, then position determination accuracy is improved (significantly more than one meter), but operational costs increase due to expensive beacon placement, calibration time (up to one day per measurement), and collection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static anchored beacons to dynamic floating transmitters. The transmitters are not fixed to the seabed but float on the water surface and can be actively moved and repositioned. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for expensive anchoring, calibration, and collection operations while maintaining position determination accuracy through continuous tracking of transmitter positions via satellite navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The floating transmitters are equipped with satellite-based navigation receivers that automatically determine their own positions. This self-positioning capability eliminates the need for external calibration and complex setup procedures, reducing operational costs and simplifying deployment while maintaining high accuracy in the position determination system
3Ease of manufacture
If ultra-short baseline method is used with surface vehicle and acoustic receivers, then no beacon placement is needed, but position determination accuracy deteriorates due to angular resolution limits (0.05° to 0.2°) resulting in several meters of inaccuracy at deep sea depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the navigation system into multiple independent floating transmitters distributed across the operational area. Instead of using a single baseline measurement from one surface vehicle, the system employs multiple segmented transmitters that provide redundant position references, improving accuracy through triangulation while maintaining deployment simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces satellite-based navigation as an intermediary system to precisely determine the positions of floating transmitters. This intermediary positioning system enables accurate position determination for underwater vehicles by providing known reference points for the acoustic transmitters, overcoming the angular resolution limitations of direct acoustic triangulation
4Measurement precision
If multiple floating transmitters are used for navigation, then position determination accuracy is improved and adaptability is enhanced, but device complexity increases due to need for coordinating multiple transmitters and processing multiple acoustic signals
Solution Approach 1:
Each floating transmitter is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that combines satellite navigation reception, acoustic signal transmission, and position data communication capabilities. This standardized multi-functional design simplifies system coordination compared to heterogeneous components, as each transmitter performs the same set of functions independently
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 solution improves navigation accuracy and reduces operational costs by enabling the surface transmitter to actively follow the underwater vehicle, minimizing latency and eliminating the need for expensive beacon placement and calibration, while maintaining high precision in position determination.
Implementation Method 1
emitting signals to determine distance and position
Implementation Method 2
emitting signals to determine distance and position
Implementation Method 3
Doppler Velocity Log or Simultaneous Localization and Mapping can be used to determine the position
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a navigation system which, on the one hand, is arranged on sides of the underwater vehicle/AUV and, on the other hand, includes a surface transmitter as a counterpart. The two units communicate with each other such that the surface transmitter emits its signal directed to the position of the underwater vehicle and/or that the surface transmitter follows the underwater vehicle to improve the position determination capability.