Automated multi-vehicle position, orientation and identification system and method

A method for locating a first vehicle relative to a second vehicle comprising steps of:

• (a) transmitting, by a digital signal transmitter, a signal from a source operatively coupled to the first vehicle;
• (b) receiving the signal by at least four sensors operatively coupled to the second vehicle;
• (c) processing, by a processor, the signal received by each of the at least four sensors;
• (d) determining, by the processor, the relative location of the second vehicle to the first vehicle based on differences in time of arrival of the signal by each of the at least four sensors;
• and
• (e) validating the relative location through an infrared tracking means that includes at least one infrared camera that is in operative communication with at least one infrared marker operatively coupled to the first vehicle;
• wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are both unmanned;
• wherein the source emits a sinusoidal wave intermittently;
• wherein the time of arrival of the signal at each of the at least four sensors corresponds to an initial detection of the sinusoidal wave at each of the at least four sensors;
• wherein a series of samples is taken along a period of time when the sinusoidal wave is at its peak so as to determine the time of arrival of the signal, the time of arrival being determined to be when a first peak of the sinusoidal wave within the series of samples is detected;
• and
• wherein the peak of the sinusoidal wave occurs when a power of the signal is at a maximum level.

A system for locating a first vehicle relative to a second vehicle comprising:

• at least one source, operatively coupled to the first vehicle, for transmitting a signal;
• at least four sensors, operatively coupled to the second vehicle, for receiving the signal;
• and
• signal processing means, operatively coupled to the second vehicle, for processing the signal received by each of the at least four sensors to determine the relative location of the second vehicle to the first vehicle based on differences in time of arrival of the same signal by each of the at least four sensors;
• wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are both unmanned;
• wherein the time of arrival of the si nal at each of the at least four sensors corresponds to an initial detection of a sinusoidal wave at each of the at least four sensors;
• wherein the system determines the time of arrival of the signal from a series of samples taken along a period of time when the sinusoidal wave is at its peak, the time of arrival being determined to be when a first peak of the sinusoidal wave within the series of samples is detected;
• wherein the peak of the sinusoidal wave occurs when a power of the signal is at a maximum level;
• wherein the relative location is validated by an infrared tracking means that includes at least one infrared camera that is in operative communication with at least one infrared marker operatively coupled to the first vehicle;
• and
• wherein at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle is an aerial vehicle.