Intelligent Device Navigation via Wireless Signal Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems for intelligent devices in GPS unreliable environments, such as indoor settings, face challenges due to the computational complexity of visual sensing, susceptibility to lighting conditions, and the expense and weight of laser sensing, making them unsuitable for small intelligent devices like drones.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a linear antenna array to acquire channel state information and estimate the angle of arrival and time of flight of ubiquitous wireless signals, combined with inertial measurement units, to perform data fusion through a sliding window estimator for accurate state estimation and autonomous navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual sensing is used for navigation in GPS unreliable environments, then positioning capability is improved, but computational complexity increases and susceptibility to lighting conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual sensing (optical system) with wireless signal sensing (electromagnetic system). Instead of using cameras and image processing algorithms that are computationally intensive and lighting-dependent, the system uses wireless signal transmitting devices and antenna arrays to measure AoA and ToF, achieving positioning with significantly reduced computational complexity and without susceptibility to lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the ubiquity of wireless signal transmitting devices (WiFi routers, base stations) already present in indoor environments to provide navigation functionality. These existing infrastructure devices serve dual purposes: wireless communication and positioning reference, eliminating the need for dedicated navigation sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If laser sensing equipment is used for navigation, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes heavy laser sensing equipment (LiDAR) with lightweight wireless signal sensing components. Instead of using laser transmitters and receivers that require significant mass for housing, power, and processing, the system uses standard antenna arrays and wireless signal processing, dramatically reducing device weight while maintaining positioning accuracy through AoA and ToF measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs inexpensive wireless signal transmitting devices that are already ubiquitously deployed in the environment as positioning infrastructure. Instead of carrying expensive, heavy laser sensors on each intelligent device, the system leverages cheap, stationary wireless devices in the environment to provide positioning services to multiple moving devices simultaneously.
3Speed
If small intelligent devices are used in confined areas, then mobility is improved, but ability to carry heavy-duty sensors worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy-duty sensors (radar, LiDAR) with lightweight wireless signal sensing components. Small intelligent devices use antenna arrays and process wireless signals from environmental transmitters to achieve navigation, eliminating the need for bulky sensors while maintaining navigation capability in confined areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables small intelligent devices to leverage existing wireless infrastructure for navigation purposes. The same wireless devices that provide communication also provide positioning, allowing small devices to navigate without carrying dedicated heavy-duty sensors, thus preserving mobility while enabling navigation functionality.
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 enables accurate autonomous navigation of intelligent devices at a low cost, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by leveraging ubiquitous wireless signals and reducing computational complexity, while avoiding the need for heavy or expensive sensors.
Implementation Method 1
acquire channel state information (CSI) of a wireless signal transmitted by a wireless signal transmitting device in an environment, and estimate an angle of arrival (AoA) and a time of flight (ToF) between the wireless signal transmitting device and the intelligent device
Implementation Method 2
estimate an angle of arrival (AoA) and a time of flight (ToF) between the wireless signal transmitting device and the intelligent device
Implementation Method 3
Perform data fusion of the AoAs, the ToFs and the inertial parameters by a sliding window estimator to estimate a state variable of the intelligent device
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses an intelligent device navigation method and navigation system. The method comprises the following. Construct a plurality of antennas on a network card in the intelligent device into a linear antenna array. By using the linear antenna array, acquire channel state information of a wireless signal, and estimate an angle of arrival (AoA) and a time of flight (ToF) between the wireless signal transmitting device and the intelligent device. Measure inertial parameters of the intelligent device. Perform data fusion of the AoAs, the ToFs and the inertial parameters to estimate a state variable of the intelligent device. Adjust a motion state of the intelligent device with reference to the state variable, thereby achieving autonomous navigation of the intelligent device. The disclosure can estimate the state of the intelligent device by using wireless signals ubiquitous in the surrounding environment in a GPS unreliable environment.