Vehicle Positioning via Multilateration of Surveillance Packets

Solution Overview

Problem

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) may be degraded or unavailable, leading to inaccurate or unavailable position determination for vehicles, and vehicles without GNSS devices face significant navigation challenges.

Innovation Solution

A system with at least three receivers and processing circuitry that determines the vehicle's location based on the arrival times of surveillance packets received from other vehicles, using time difference of arrival and multilateration techniques, which can supplement or replace GNSS for position determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GNSS is used for position determination, then location accuracy is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to degradation or unavailability in certain environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary positioning method using surveillance packets from other vehicles as a mediator between the need for position determination and the unavailability of GNSS. Instead of directly relying on satellites, the system uses intermediate signals from nearby vehicles that can be processed to derive position information through multilateration, thus maintaining positioning capability when GNSS is degraded or unavailable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of position determination from satellite-based signal measurements to terrestrial vehicle-to-vehicle surveillance packet analysis. By changing the source and method of position data acquisition, the system achieves reliable positioning in environments where traditional GNSS parameters (satellite visibility, signal strength) are compromised

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If vehicles without GNSS devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but navigation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation equipmentVSAvoidnavigation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes surveillance receivers serve multiple functions: their primary function for monitoring other vehicles is enhanced to also perform position determination. The same hardware that receives surveillance packets for traffic awareness is utilized to calculate the ownship vehicle's position through multilateration, eliminating the need for separate positioning hardware while maintaining navigation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables vehicles to determine their own position using surveillance packets from other vehicles without requiring dedicated positioning equipment. The vehicle serves its own positioning needs by processing ambient surveillance signals in the environment, achieving self-service navigation capability with minimal additional hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables accurate position determination for vehicles without GNSS or validates GNSS data, detecting spoofing and providing a reliable navigation solution in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

A system with at least three receivers and processing circuitry that determines the vehicle's location based on the arrival times of surveillance packets received from other vehicles, using time difference of arrival and multilateration techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime difference of arrival: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

A system with at least three receivers and processing circuitry that determines the vehicle's location based on the arrival times of surveillance packets received from other vehicles, using time difference of arrival and multilateration techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultilateration:

Data Source

PatentUS11442140B1Determining a location of a vehicle using received surveillance signals

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

In some examples, a system includes at least three receivers configured to receive a surveillance packet from another vehicle at respective arrival times. The system includes a first receiver configured to receive a surveillance packet from the other vehicle at a first time. The system also includes a second receiver configured to receive the surveillance packet from the other vehicle at a second time. The system further include a third receiver configured to receive the surveillance packet from the other vehicle at a third time. In addition, the system includes processing circuitry configured to determine a location of the ownship vehicle based on the received surveillance packet and the respective arrival times.