Abstract: A position location system includes multiple base stations spaced over a region. A remote unit within the region transmits a locating signal which is received by the base stations. The base stations report amplitude, phase and time data related to the locating signal to a control station. The control station includes a processor and memory that combine the data from all of the participating base stations to directly compute an optimal estimate of the location of the portable unit. The control station generates a locator function based upon the probability that the portable unit is located at a particular position. By optimizing the locator function, the error in the computation is minimized to produce an accurate position estimate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 1999
Date of Patent:
July 10, 2001
Assignee:
Signatron Technology Corporation
Inventors:
Steen A. Parl, Julian Bussgang, Jay Weitzen, James M. Zagami
Abstract: A position location system includes multiple base stations spaced over a region. A portable unit within the region transmits a locating signal which is received by the base stations. The base stations report amplitude, phase and time data related to the locating signal to a control station. The control station includes a processor and memory that combine the data from all of the participating base stations to directly compute an optimal estimate of the location of the portable unit. The control station generates an ambiguity function based upon the probability that the portable unit is located at a particular position. By optimizing the ambiguity function, the error in the computation is minimized to produce an accurate position estimate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 16, 1999
Assignee:
Signatron Technology Corporation
Inventors:
Steen A. Parl, Julian Bussgang, Jay Weitzen, James M. Zagami