UAV Positioning via Base Station Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS-based and vision-based tracking methods for aerial vehicles, such as UAVs, suffer from limited accuracy and robustness due to positional errors and environmental obstructions, making precise tracking of fast-moving targets or precise positioning challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a correction measurement based on the estimated locations of a tracking device and a target object, obtained through GNSS signals, to determine a relative position with high accuracy, allowing for centimeter-level precision tracking by compensating for positional errors using a known location of a base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based tracking methods are used, then the tracking system is simple to implement, but the tracking accuracy is limited to 2-4 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism that uses a base station with known location to calculate position corrections. The base station receives GPS signals, compares them against its known position, and generates correction values that are applied to improve the accuracy of mobile device position estimates without requiring complex hardware modifications to the mobile devices themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/GPS-based positioning system with an optical vision-based tracking system. The aerial vehicle uses cameras and image processing to track targets visually, substituting the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with an optical detection and processing system that achieves higher precision.
2Measurement precision
If vision-based tracking is used, then the tracking accuracy can be improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to environmental obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges GPS-based positioning with vision-based tracking into a hybrid system. The GPS provides coarse position information and temporal reference, while the vision system provides fine-resolution relative positioning. The correction mechanism combines data from both sources, using GPS to establish a reference frame and vision to refine measurements, thereby achieving both high accuracy and robustness against environmental obstructions.
3Productivity
If GPS receivers are used on moving objects, then position estimates can be obtained, but the updates are not frequent enough for high precision tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by having the base station pre-calculate correction values based on its known position and received GPS signals. These correction values are stored and ready for application when needed, enabling rapid position updates without requiring real-time complex calculations for each mobile device, thus achieving high update frequencies with maintained precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system includes a base station and a tracking device. The base station is configured to receive an estimated location of the base station at a receiver coupled to the base station and determine a correction measurement based on the estimated location of the base station and a known location of the base station. The tracking device is configured to obtain an estimated location of a target object, receive an estimated location of the tracking device at a receiver coupled to the tracking device, determine a relative position between the target object and the tracking device based on the estimated location of the target object, the estimated location of the tracking device, and the correction measurement, and control a movement of the tracking device according to the relative position.