Vehicle Positioning via Light-Based Communication and Time-of-Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light-based communication systems for determining vehicle position face challenges in dense traffic scenarios due to network congestion and limitations of GPS, such as obstructed line-of-sight views and estimation errors, necessitating a method for directional and accurate positional communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of light-based communication systems using digital messages with signal parameters like RSSI and time-of-flight pulses to estimate vehicle position, employing transmitter arrays of LEDs and receiver arrays of photodiodes coupled with a controller that processes data to determine relative location through trilateration and angular orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS is used to determine vehicle position, then global coverage is provided, but accuracy deteriorates due to obstructed line-of-sight views and estimation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-based communication signals as an intermediary medium between vehicles to determine position. Instead of relying on GPS satellites, vehicles use optical signals (LED transmitters and photodiode receivers) to exchange position information directly. This intermediary approach bypasses the line-of-sight obstruction problem inherent in GPS, especially in urban canyons and dense traffic, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining reliability through direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the radio-frequency based GPS system with an optical communication system. By substituting the mechanical/electromagnetic wave propagation method (radio waves) with optical waves (light), the system achieves higher precision in position determination. The optical signals provide more accurate time-of-flight measurements and signal strength indications, enabling precise relative position calculation between vehicles without the estimation errors associated with GPS.
2Measurement precision
If light-based communication systems are implemented, then directional and accurate positional communication is achieved, but network congestion occurs in dense traffic scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication task by dividing the vehicle network into multiple communication groups or clusters. Each vehicle communicates primarily with vehicles in its immediate vicinity rather than broadcasting to all vehicles in the network. This segmentation reduces the number of simultaneous transmissions each vehicle must process, thereby maintaining high measurement precision for position estimation while preventing network congestion in dense traffic scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic transmission of light-based communication signals at optimized intervals rather than continuous broadcasting. By transmitting position and status information at strategically determined periods based on vehicle relative motion and communication needs, the system maintains accurate real-time position estimation while significantly reducing overall network traffic and preventing congestion in dense environments.
3Reliability
If multiple LBC transceivers are deployed, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple LBC transceivers into integrated units that combine LED transmitters, photodiode receivers, and processing electronics into unified modules. By merging these components, the system achieves improved communication reliability through multiple transceivers while minimizing device complexity through functional integration. The merged transceiver units can be strategically positioned on vehicles to provide redundant communication paths without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 enhances accuracy in vehicle position estimation by improving received signal strength as vehicles approach, functioning independently of GPS, and provides robust communication with multiple LBC transceivers, increasing the precision and reliability of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.
Implementation Method 1
Each LBC system may include a transmitter, such as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
a receiver, such as an array of photodiodes, for transmitting and receiving LBC messages between the vehicles
Implementation Method 3
a time-of-flight module that is executable by the processor to process data using a time-of-flight pulse
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining vehicle position uses light based communication (LBC) signals and a time-of-flight (TOF) pulse. Each vehicle includes a LBC system having light emitting diodes (LEDs) and receiver photodiodes capable of sending and receiving pulsed light binary messages. The LBC system may also include a TOF transceiver for sending and receiving TOF pulses, or the transmitter and receiver diodes may be used to send and receive TOF pulses. Each LBC system has a controller coupled to the transmitter diodes and receiver diodes (and the TOF transceiver when present). The controller includes a processor configured to determine the distance between vehicles. Optical characteristics are used to discern relative angle, a header is used to determine relative orientation, and the time-of-flight is used to determine distance, which together may be used by the processor to determine the relative location between transmitting vehicle and the receiving vehicle.