RFID-based mobile vehicle localization

• US 8,860,611 B1
• Filed: 05/15/2012
• Issued: 10/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Anderson, Roger J., Hatcher, Jeremy E
• Primary Examiner(s): LIU, HARRY K
• Application Number:
  US13/472,048
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 342/457
• US Class Current: 342/457
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals

Abstract

An RFID localization system includes RFID tags positioned at known locations in a local frame of reference. Each RFID tag generates an RF signal indicative of its unique identity. RF antennas are mounted on a mobile vehicle at known positions/orientations relative to a reference point thereon. Each antenna has a range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith and detects each RF signal generated by any of the RFID tags within its range-bounded field-of-view. A processor coupled to the antennas stores information to include (i) each of the known locations of the RFID tags along with their unique identification, (ii) each known position and orientation of the antennas, and (iii) each range-bounded field-of-view associated with each antenna. The processor implements an evolutionary optimization scheme using the stored information based on each RF signal so-detected in order to determine a position and orientation of the mobile vehicle in the local frame of reference.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) localization system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags positioned at known locations in a local frame of reference, each of said RFID tags having a unique identification associated therewith, each of said RFID tags generating an RF signal indicative of said unique identification associated therewith;

at least two RF antennas adapted to be mounted on a mobile vehicle, each of said RF antennas at a unique known position and orientation relative to a reference point on the mobile vehicle, each of said RF antennas having a range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith, each of said RF antennas detecting each said RF signal generated by any of said RFID tags within said range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith; and

a processor coupled to said RF antennas, said processor storing information to include (i) each of said known locations of said RFID tags along with said unique identification associated therewith, (ii) each said known position and orientation of said RF antennas, and (iii) each said range-bounded field-of-view associated with each of said RF antennas, said processor implementing an evolutionary optimization scheme using said information based on each said RF signal so-detected to determine a position and orientation of the mobile vehicle in the local frame of reference.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said evolutionary optimization scheme comprises a genetic algorithm.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said processor includes an RFID reader coupled to said RF antennas.

4. A system as in claim 3, wherein said RFID reader is electrically coupled to one of said RF antennas at a time.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said processor is located in proximity to said RF antennas.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said processor is located remotely with respect to said RF antennas.

7. A radio frequency identification (RFID) localization system, comprising:

a plurality of RFID tags positioned at known locations in a local frame of reference, each of said RFID tags having a unique identification associated therewith, each of said RFID tags generating an RF signal indicative of said unique identification associated therewith;

at least two RF antennas adapted to be mounted on a mobile vehicle, each of said RF antennas at a unique known position and orientation relative to a reference point on the mobile vehicle, each of said RF antennas having a range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith, each of said RF antennas detecting each said RF signal generated by any of said RFID tags within said range-bounded field-of-view associated therewith;

an RFID reader adapted to be mounted on the mobile vehicle and coupled to said RF antennas, said RFID reader continually performing scans of said RF antennas on an individual basis wherein each said RF signal so-detected for each of said RF antennas is identified for each of said scans; and

a processor adapted to be mounted on the mobile vehicle and coupled to said RFID reader, said processor storing information to include (i) each of said known locations of said RFID tags along with said unique identification associated therewith, (ii) each said known position and orientation of said RF antennas, and (iii) each said range-bounded field-of-view associated with each of said RF antennas, said processor implementing an evolutionary optimization scheme using said information and each said RF signal so-identified for each of said scans to determine a position and orientation of the mobile vehicle in the local frame of reference.

8. A system as in claim 7, wherein said evolutionary optimization scheme comprises a genetic algorithm.

9. A system as in claim 7, wherein each of said scans sequences through said RF antennas in an identical fashion.

10. A system as in claim 7, wherein said processor is located in proximity to said RF antennas.

11. A system as in claim 7, wherein said processor is located remotely with respect to said RF antennas.