Reconfigurable geolocation system
AssigneeWorcester Polytechnic Institute
InventorsWilliam R. Michalson, Ilir F. Progri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable reconfigurable geolocation system is provided. The system includes a portable user node and one or more portable pseudolite nodes in communication one another and with the user node. Each of the user nodes and pseudolite nodes includes a transmitter that generates a signal on one or more carrier frequencies. Each signal is modulated with digital signals necessary to establish distances between the nodes and to convey data between the nodes. Each node also includes a receiver for receiving and demodulating the signals transmitted between the nodes, and a processor for receiving the demodulated signals, extracting data values and derived values from the demodulated signals and determining a three-dimensional position of each node in the system.
Claims22
A portable reconfigurable geolocation system comprising:
- a portable user node;
- and
- at least three portable pseudolite nodes in communication with one another and with the user node;
- the user node and pseudolite nodes each having:
- a transmitter that generates a signal on one or more carrier frequencies, each signal being modulated with digital signals necessary to establish distances between the nodes and to convey data between the nodes;
- a receiver for receiving and demodulating the signals transmitted between the nodes;
- a processor for receiving the demodulated signals, extracting data values and derived values from the demodulated signals and determining a three-dimensional position of each node in the system.
A method of locating a communication node in an area, the method comprising:
- distributing a plurality of portable nodes within the area, each of the nodes including a transmitter that generates a signal on one or more carrier frequencies, a receiver, and a processor;
- modulating signals generated by the nodes with digital signals to enable communication between the nodes and to convey data between the nodes;
- and
- determining a relative three-dimensional position of each of the nodes using the modulated signals.
A portable pseudolite node comprising:
- a transmitter that generates a signal on one or more carrier frequencies, each signal being modulated with digital signals necessary to establish distances between the nodes and to convey data between the nodes;
- a receiver for receiving and demodulating the signals transmitted between the nodes;
- a processor for receiving the demodulated signals, extracting data values and derived values from the demodulated signals and determining a three-dimensional position of each node in the system.
A method for locating a human in an area, the method comprising:
- providing the human with a portable user node, the user node including a transmitter that generates a signal on one or more carrier frequencies, a receiver, and a processor;
- distributing a plurality of portable pseudolite nodes within the area, each of the pseudolite nodes including a transmitter that generates a signal on one or more carrier frequencies, a receiver, and a processor;
- modulating signals generated by user node and the pseudolite nodes with digital signals to establish communication among the user node and the pseudolite nodes and to convey data among the user node and pseudolite nodes;
- determining a relative position of the user node and the pseudolite nodes using the modulated signals;
- and
- determining a relative position of the human using the relative position of the user node and the pseudolite nodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.