Abstract: A positioning system uses a multiplicity of commercial broadcast stereo FM radio signal transmitters, at known fixed locations, each of which transmits a beacon signal having a phase that is un-synchronized with the phases of the beacon signals of the other transmitters. All the beacon signals have a frequency approximately equal to a 19 KHz. A fixed position observer unit, positioned at a known location, receives the beacon signals from all the transmitters in the vicinity, determines their relative phases, and broadcasts data representing these relative phases. Mobile units, at unknown locations, receive these broadcast values, as well as beacon signals from at least three radio transmitters. Each mobile unit includes phase detection circuitry that detects the phases of the beacon signals at the mobile receiver's current position. This is accomplished using a single radio signal receiver.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 1993
Date of Patent:
March 12, 1996
Assignee:
Terrapin Corporation
Inventors:
David C. Kelley, Joseph Cisneros, Louis A. Greenbaum
Abstract: A positioning system uses a multiplicity of commercial broadcast stereo FM radio signal transmitters, at known fixed locations, each of which transmits a beacon signal having a phase that is un-synchronized with the phases of the beacon signals of the other transmitters. All the beacon signals have a frequency approximately equal to a 19 KHz. A fixed position observer unit, positioned at a known location, receives the beacon signals from all the transmitters in the vicinity, determines their relative phases, and broadcasts data representing these relative phases. Mobile units, at unknown locations, receive these broadcast values, as well as beacon signals from at least three radio transmitters. Each mobile unit includes phase detection circuitry that detects the phases of the beacon signals at the mobile receiver's current position. This is accomplished using a single radio signal receiver.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 22, 1992
Date of Patent:
January 18, 1994
Assignee:
Terrapin Corporation
Inventors:
David C. Kelley, David T. Rackley, Victor P. Berglund
Abstract: A positioning system uses a multiplicity of commercial broadcast stereo FM radio signal transmitters, at known fixed locations, each of which transmits a beacon signal having a phase that is un-synchronized with the phases of the beacon signals of the other transmitters. All the beacon signals have a frequency approximately equal to a 19 KHz. A fixed position observer unit, positioned at a known location, receives the beacon signals from all the transmitters in the vicinity, determines their relative phases, and broadcasts data representing these relative phases. Mobile units, at unknown locations, receive these broadcast values, as well as beacon signals from at least three radio transmitters. Each mobile unit includes phase detection circuitry that detects the phases of the beacon signals at the mobile receiver's current position. This is accomplished using a single radio signal receiver.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 15, 1991
Date of Patent:
December 22, 1992
Assignee:
Terrapin Corporation
Inventors:
David C. Kelley, David T. Rackley, Victor P. Berglund