MULTIPLEXING RECEIVER SYSTEM

• US 20110241942A1
• Filed: 04/04/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Position Imaging, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Position Imaging, Inc.
• Inventors: Hill, Edward L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,749,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/451
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02213 Receivers arranged in a network for determining the position of a transmitter

Abstract

A position tracking system includes a transmitter constructed and arranged to emit a electromagnetic signal and an array of at least three receiver antennae. Each of the at least three receiver antennae is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal emitted from the transmitter. The position tracking system also includes a receiver channel disposed in electrical communication with each of the at least three receiver antennae. The receiver channel is constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal from each of the at least three receiver antennae. The position tracking system also includes a data processing component disposed in electrical communication with the receiver channel. The data processing component is constructed and arranged to calculate the position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae.

Claims

1. A position tracking system comprising:

a transmitter constructed and arranged to emit a electromagnetic signal;

an array of at least three receiver antennae, each of the at least three receiver antennae constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal emitted from the transmitter;

a receiver channel disposed in electrical communication with each of the at least three receiver antennae, the receiver channel constructed and arranged to receive the electromagnetic signal from each of the at least three receiver antennae; and

a data processing component disposed in electrical communication with the receiver channel, the data processing component constructed and arranged to calculate a position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae.

2. The position tracking system of claim 1, wherein the receiver channel includes a switching circuit constructed and arranged to toggle between receiving the electromagnetic signal from each of the at least three receiver antennae.

3. The position tracking system of claim 1, wherein the data processing component being constructed and arranged to calculate the position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae includes being constructed and arranged to calculate the electromagnetic signal a time-of-arrival difference between the transmitter and each of the at least three receiver antennae to determine the position of the transmitter.

4. The position tracking system of claim 3, wherein the receiver channel includes oscillator circuitry constructed and arranged to produce a reference signal;

wherein the data processing component being constructed and arranged to calculate the electromagnetic signal a time-of-arrival difference between the transmitter and each of the at least three receiver antennae to determine the position of the transmitter includes being constructed and arranged to compare timing between the reference signal and the electromagnetic signal received at each of the at least three receiver antennae.

5. The position tracking system of claim 1, wherein the data processing component being constructed and arranged to calculate the position of the transmitter by comparing the electromagnetic signal received at each receiver antennae includes being constructed and arranged to compare an amplitude of the electromagnetic signal at each of the at least three receiver antennae to determine the position of the transmitter.

6. The position tracking system of claim 5, wherein the receiver channel includes received signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuitry constructed and arranged to measure the amplitude of the electromagnetic signal at each of the at least three receiver antennae.