Method and system for determining the position of marine vessels and similar objects
First Claim
1. System for determining the relative position between two or more objects in a marine environment, of which at least one object can be maneuvered relative to one or more other objects, comprising:
- at least one interrogator using frequency modulated continuous wave radar arranged on one of the objects, and at least one transponder arranged on at least one other object, the interrogator constructed and arranged to transmit a radio signal to the at least one transponder,the at least one transponder constructed and arranged to generate a different sideband frequency to introduce an identity tag into a signal to be reflected to the interrogator,a signal processing unit with software containing algorithms for determination of ranges, velocities and angles to transponders, anda fixed transponder is provided on the same object as the interrogator, for continuous self calibration and integrity monitoring.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for determining the relative position between two or more objects in a marine environment, including waterways, of which at least one object can be maneuvered relative to one or more other objects. At least one interrogator is arranged on one or more of the objects and sends a radio wave signal to at least one transponder arranged on one or more of the other objects. The novel method is the use of a FMCW radar in the interrogator, the use of the transponders for including identity tags into the signals to be reflected to the interrogator, and attitude determination. A system for this determination is also described.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. System for determining the relative position between two or more objects in a marine environment, of which at least one object can be maneuvered relative to one or more other objects, comprising:
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at least one interrogator using frequency modulated continuous wave radar arranged on one of the objects, and at least one transponder arranged on at least one other object, the interrogator constructed and arranged to transmit a radio signal to the at least one transponder, the at least one transponder constructed and arranged to generate a different sideband frequency to introduce an identity tag into a signal to be reflected to the interrogator, a signal processing unit with software containing algorithms for determination of ranges, velocities and angles to transponders, and a fixed transponder is provided on the same object as the interrogator, for continuous self calibration and integrity monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for determining the relative position between two or more objects in a marine environment, of which at least one object can be maneuvered relative to one or more other said objects, comprising the steps of:
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arranging at least one interrogator on at least one of said objects and arranging a transponder on at least one of said other objects, the interrogator being constructed and arranged for sending a radio signal to the transponder; using the transponder to reflect a radio wave signal to the interrogator; operating the interrogator using frequency modulated continuous wave radar; using the transponders to bring identity tags into the radio signal reflected to the interrogator, and carrying out attitude determination, determining range and bearing between the interrogator and transponder, wherein; at least one interrogator sends a radio signal to at least one transponder arranged on an object for relative positioning, at least one transponder modulates an identifier frequency into the signal from the interrogator prior to the signal being reflected to the interrogator, the signals from the transponders are received by a series of antenna elements in the interrogator, the combination of the signals received on different antenna elements is used to determine the angles to the transponders in two planes relative to the antenna elements geometry, the signals from the transponders are processed to determine the beat frequencies and the Doppler frequencies for each transponder, the distance and the relative velocity between the interrogator and each of the transponders are determined, which from the frequency of the carrier signal, can determine the identity of the signal and on this basis determine the position data, and a fixed transponder is provided on the same object as the interrogator for continuous self calibration and integrity monitoring. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining the relative position between two or more objects in a marine environment, of which at least one object can be maneuvered relative to one or more other said objects, comprising the steps of:
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arranging at least one interrogator on at least one of said objects and arranging a transponder on at least one of said other objects, the interrogator being constructed and arranged for sending a radio signal to the transponder; using the transponder to reflect a radio wave signal to the interrogator; operating the interrogator using frequency modulated continuous wave radar; using the transponders to bring identity tags into the radio signal reflected to the interrogator, and carrying out attitude determination, determining range and bearing between the interrogator and transponder, wherein; at least one interrogator sends a radio signal to at least one transponder arranged on an object for relative positioning, at least one transponder modulates an identifier frequency into the signal from the interrogator prior to the signal being reflected to the interrogator, the signals from the transponders are received by a series of antenna elements in the interrogator, the combination of the signals received on different antenna elements is used to determine the angles to the transponders in two planes relative to the antenna elements geometry, the signals from the transponders are processed to determine the beat frequencies and the Doppler frequencies for each transponder, the distance and the relative velocity between the interrogator and each of the transponders are determined, which from the frequency of the carrier signal, can determine the identity of the signal and on this basis determine the position data, and a differential positioning between two or more transponders is carried out. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification