Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast magnetometer calibration with little space coverage is described herein. The present method and apparatus is capable of performing both 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) calibration for a magnetometer (magnetic sensor) and calculating calibration parameters. The present method and apparatus does not need the user to be involved in the calibration process and there are no required specific movements that the user should perform. The present method and apparatus performs magnetometer calibration in 2D or 3D depending on the natural device movements whatever the application that the magnetometer is used in.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireless positioning and an accuracy measure thereof, using a probabilistic approach alone or in combination with other models, is provided, for wireless-network-enabled areas. Further means of ranking “base-stations” in a wireless network area according to position discrimination significance and using this ranking to provide an accuracy measure of positioning is provided. Further means of determining the locations of “base-stations” of a wireless network in unknown area without the need for any absolute reference based positioning system is provided.

Abstract: A navigation module for providing a real-time INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving object comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source and an assembly of self-container sensors for generating navigational information. The module also contains a processor coupled to receive the output information from the receiver and sensor assembly, and integrate the output information in real-time to produce an overall navigation solution. The overall navigation solution will contain a main navigation solution task, and at least one other task, where the other task is used to enhance the overall navigation solution.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the mode of motion or conveyance of a device, the device being within a platform (e.g., a person, vehicle, or vessel of any type). The device can be strapped or non-strapped to the platform, and where non-strapped, the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform and the device may be moved or tilted to any orientation within the platform, without degradation in performance of determining the mode of motion. This method can utilize measurements (readings) from sensors in the device (such as for example, accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc.) whether in the presence or in the absence of navigational information updates (such as, for example, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or WiFi positioning). The present method and system may be used in any one or both of two different phases, a model building phase or a model utilization phase.

Abstract: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving platform, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), means for obtaining speed or velocity information and an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g., such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the moving platform, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver, sensor assembly and means for obtaining speed or velocity information, and operative to integrate the output information to produce a navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by using the speed or velocity information to decouple the actual motion of the platform from the readings of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A two-filter based method of detecting and tracking a target that can track an unknown and time-varying number of targets, while keeping continuous track, even in scenarios with large number of false contacts or missing measurements, is provided. More specifically, a first filter provides target detection, a second filter provides target tracking of the detected targets, and a clustering technique that operates after the first filter. The first filter starts with a uniform distribution over the surveillance area and resets periodically after the clustering technique is run. When the clustering technique runs, it detects the clusters corresponding to the different targets and passes them to the second filter that tracks these targets.

Abstract: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a device that can either be tethered or move freely within a moving platform is provided, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g. such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the device, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver and sensor assembly, and operative to integrate the output information to produce an enhanced navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by benefiting from nonlinear models and filters that do not suffer from approximation or linearization and which enhance the navigation solution of the device.

Abstract: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving platform is provided, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), means for obtaining speed or velocity information and an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g., such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the moving platform, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver, sensor assembly and means for obtaining speed or velocity information, and operative to integrate the output information to produce a navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by using the speed or velocity information to decouple the actual motion of the platform from the readings of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A moving platform INS range corrector (“MPIRC”) module and its method of operation are disclosed for providing navigation and positioning information. The module comprises: means, such as a receiver, for receiving a first set of absolute navigational information from an external source (such as satellites in case of GNSS); an inertial sensor unit for generating a second set of navigational information at the module; and a transceiver, for receiving and/or transmitting signals and estimating distance measurement from a known position and receiving position coordinates. The navigational information is used by a processor programmed with a core algorithm, to produce a navigation solution (which comprises position, velocity and attitude). The system has the following attributes: the solution is produced seamlessly, even if one source of navigational information is temporarily out of service; the accuracy of the solution is assisted by use of distance and position coordinate measurement from a known position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of enhancing a navigation solution about a device and a platform, wherein the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform, and wherein the navigation solution is provided even in the absence of normal navigational information updates (such as, for example, GNSS). More specifically, the present method comprises utilizing measurements from sensors (e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers etc.) within the device to calculate and resolve the attitude of the device and the platform, and the attitude misalignment between the device and the platform.

Abstract: A navigation module and method for providing an INS/GNSS navigation solution for a moving platform is provided, comprising a receiver for receiving absolute navigational information from an external source (e.g., such as a satellite), means for obtaining speed or velocity information and an assembly of self-contained sensors capable of obtaining readings (e.g., such as relative or non-reference based navigational information) about the moving platform, and further comprising at least one processor, coupled to receive the output information from the receiver, sensor assembly and means for obtaining speed or velocity information, and operative to integrate the output information to produce a navigation solution. The at least one processor may operate to provide a navigation solution by using the speed or velocity information to decouple the actual motion of the platform from the readings of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A continuous measurement-while-drilling surveying apparatus includes a fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation about the tool spin axis of the bottom hole assembly and a second fiber optic gyroscope sensitive to rotation of the bottom hole assembly about an axis normal to the tool spin axis. The first gyroscope may be shaped as a torus to accommodate flow of drilling mud through the bottom hole assembly. The outputs of the first and second gyroscopes are processed together with acceleration signals from three accelerometers in a microprocessor which determines the orientation, velocity and position of the bottom hole assembly on a continuous basis.