Reconfigurable geolocation system

• US 7,079,025 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2003
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Original Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Inventors: Progri, Ilir F., Michalson, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US10/459,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.14, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.12, 340/539.15, 340/539.21, 340/539.23, 340/573.1, 340/686.1, 367/117, 367/118, 367/123, 342/436, 342/450, 342/458, 342/463
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/21 Interference related issues ; Issues related to cross-correlation, spoofing or other methods of denial of service
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/707 using direct sequence modulation

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the user node further comprises a user interface.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein communication between the nodes is wireless.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein signals generated by the user node and the pseudolite nodes are modulated by at least two digital signals.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the at least two digital signals establish at least two communication channels that are substantially orthogonal to one another.

6. A system according to claim 4, wherein at least one digital signal provides signal selection for a particular signal frequency.

7. A system according to claim 4, wherein at least one digital signal provides interference resistance.

8. A system according to claim 4, wherein at least one digital signal provides bit synchronization resolution.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processor optimizes ranging and communications topology of the system.

10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processor verifies the integrity of information transmitted in the system.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processor provides dynamic reconfiguration of the system in the event of node failure.

12. 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 three-dimensional position of the human using the relative position of the user node and the pseudolite nodes.

13. A method according the claim 12, wherein providing the human with a portable user node includes providing the human with a portable user node that includes a user interface.

14. A method according to claim 12, where providing the human with a portable user node includes providing the human with a portable user node that includes an input/output device.