Vehicle Positioning Using Multipath Component Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle positioning systems in multipath propagation scenarios, such as urban environments, face challenges in accurately tracking signals from both real and virtual transceivers due to changing radio paths, leading to reduced positioning accuracy and robustness.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes vehicle motion data and propagation delay data to identify and track multipath components (MPCs), determining MPC tracks over time, and estimating vehicle position relative to radio transceivers, incorporating both direct and indirect propagation paths, and employing SLAM algorithms for improved accuracy and robustness, with the option to upload and download data for collective positioning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If satellite-based positioning systems are used, then global positioning coverage is provided, but positioning accuracy and reliability are hampered in environments without clear view of the sky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts harmful multipath propagation into a beneficial resource by treating reflected signal components as virtual transmitters. Instead of discarding multipath signals as noise, the system identifies and tracks them as additional positioning sources, transforming the harmful effect into improved positioning accuracy and reliability in urban environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to signal tracking by determining MPC tracks that represent evolution of multipath components over time. This time-based tracking allows the system to distinguish between different propagation paths and maintain reliable positioning even when spatial geometry is limited.
2Measurement precision
If more radio transceivers are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of transmitters by treating multipath components as if they originated from virtual transmitters. These virtual transmitters provide additional positioning signals without requiring physical infrastructure, effectively increasing the number of available transceivers while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing radio transceivers serve multiple functions: they act as both real transmitters for direct signals and as sources for virtual transmitters through multipath propagation. This multi-functionality increases positioning accuracy without adding new infrastructure.
3Reliability
If signals are tracked over time to create accurate vehicle trajectories, then positioning robustness is improved, but tracking becomes difficult due to changing radio paths in urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tracking of multipath components by determining MPC tracks that represent evolution over time. The system adapts to changing radio paths by continuously updating virtual transmitter positions based on current signal measurements, maintaining robust tracking despite urban environment changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from continuous signal measurements to update and refine MPC tracks over time. By comparing expected signal characteristics with actual measurements, the system corrects for changing propagation conditions and maintains accurate positioning robustness.
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
Enhances vehicle positioning accuracy and robustness by resolving ambiguities and increasing available data, allowing for cost-efficient implementation and improved position estimation performance, applicable to various vehicle types and environments without requiring new infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The technique relies on multipath propagation involving radio signal reflections in order to increase positioning accuracy and robustness
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating a position of a vehicle (100) relative to one or more radio transceivers (150). The method including the steps of; obtaining propagation delay data associated with radio transmission between a vehicle transceiver (110) included in the vehicle (100) and the one or more radio transceivers (150); obtaining vehicle motion data related to a trajectory of the vehicle (100); identifying one or more multipath components, MPC, in the propagation delay data, the MPC relates to a radio transmission propagation path between a fixed radio transceiver (150) and the vehicle transceiver (110); determining an MPC track for each identified MPC based on the vehicle motion data and on the propagation delay data, MPC track representing evolution of an MPC over time; and estimating the position of the vehicle (100) relative to the one or more radio transceivers (150) based on the MPC tracks.