UAV Interference Source Localization with Ground-Based Vector Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rail transit systems face challenges in precisely locating wireless communication interference sources due to their large distribution area, posing potential safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) interference source positioning method and system that utilizes interference vectors and physical characteristics, including a ground control center, UAV communication, and a vector positioning model to determine the actual positions of interference sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wireless communication networks (LTE, WiFi) are used for train-ground communication in CBTC systems, then communication capacity and transmission speed are improved, but interference from private radio devices, industrial equipment, and high-power radio devices increases, affecting system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ground control center as an intermediary that coordinates UAV inspection operations. The ground control center receives interference complaints, plans inspection routes, controls UAV flight, and processes collected data to identify interference sources, thereby resolving the conflict between maintaining wireless communication reliability and enabling effective interference detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional ground-based interference detection methods with UAV-based detection using directional antennas. The UAV mechanically flies to suspected locations and uses rotatable directional antennas to scan and identify interference sources, substituting complex ground-based detection systems with a more flexible aerial platform

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If the distribution area for interference source detection is expanded to cover more rail transit environment, then detection coverage is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates due to the large area making precise positioning difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverage areaVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large detection area into manageable inspection routes composed of multiple monitoring points. The ground control center divides the service area and assigns specific routes to UAVs, allowing systematic coverage of large areas while maintaining positioning precision through structured multi-point inspection patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from ground-based two-dimensional detection to three-dimensional aerial detection using UAVs. By operating in the vertical dimension, the UAV gains superior line-of-sight coverage and can approach interference sources from different spatial angles, improving both coverage area and positioning precision simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If multiple positioning operations are performed and vector positioning models are established to improve positioning accuracy, then interference source positioning precision is improved, but computational load on the UAV flight control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcomputational energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a ground control center as a computational intermediary that performs complex vector positioning model calculations and data processing. The UAV collects raw measurement data at monitoring points and transmits it to the ground control center, which then executes the computationally intensive positioning algorithms, thereby achieving high positioning accuracy without overloading the UAV's limited onboard computing resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4607972A1Unmanned aerial vehicle interference source locating method and system based on interference vector and physical features
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 CASCO SIGNAL LTD
  • EP4607972A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4607972A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4607972A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed in the present invention is an unmanned aerial vehicle interference source positioning method and system based on interference vectors and physical characteristics. The method includes: acquiring physical characteristics of interference sources that are collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle, performing several positioning operations on the interference sources based on the physical characteristics of the interference sources, and establishing a vector positioning model to determine actual positions of the interference sources. According to the present invention, the computational load of a flight control system of the unmanned aerial vehicle is reduced by performing calculations at a ground portion through a communication connection between the ground portion and the unmanned aerial vehicle; ineffective calculations are reduced during the interference troubleshooting process by importing an interference whitelist; a vector positioning model is used to position the interference sources, thereby making the positioning more accurate; and in addition to using the GNSS for positioning, photos of the interference sources and videos of environments around the interference sources are used to reduce the difficulty of later on-site processing for interference source positioning.