Multipath Assisted Positioning with Transmitter Visibility Information

In multipath assisted positioning, multipath components (MPCs) are regarded as line-of-sight (LoS) signals from virtual transmitters. Instead of trying to mitigate the influence of MPCs, the spatial information contained in MPCs is exploited for localization. The locations of the physical and virtual transmitters are in general unknown but can be estimated with simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Recently, a multipath assisted positioning algorithm named Channel-SLAM for terrestrial radio signals has been introduced. It simultaneously tracks the position of a receiver and maps the locations of physical and virtual radio transmitters. Maps of estimated transmitter locations can be augmented by additional information. Within this paper, we propose to extend the Channel-SLAM algorithm by mapping information about the visibility of transmitters. A physical or virtual transmitter is visible, if its signal is received in a LoS condition. We derive a novel particle filter for Channel-SLAM that estimates and exploits visibility information on transmitters in addition to their locations. We show by means of simulations in an indoor scenario that our novel particle filter improves the positioning performance of Channel-SLAM considerably

Cooperative Estimation of Maps of Physical and Virtual Radio Transmitters

In multipath assisted positioning, the spatial information contained in multipath components (MPCs) is exploited, as MPCs are regarded as line-of-sight signals from virtual transmitters. The positions of physical and virtual transmitters can be estimated jointly with the receiver position with simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). In our multipath assisted positioning approach called Channel-SLAM, the estimates from a channel estimator are used in a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter which implements SLAM. While the original Channel-SLAM algorithm is a single-user positioning system, we present a comprehensive framework for cooperative Channel-SLAM within this paper. Users cooperate by exchanging maps of estimated transmitter locations. With prior information about the locations of physical and virtual transmitters, the positioning performance of the users increases significantly. The more users contribute to such a transmitter map, the more increases the positioning performance. With simulations in an indoor scenario, we show that the positioning performance is bounded for cooperative Channel-SLAM in the long run

Beyond the spatio-temporal limits of atmospheric radars: inverse problem techniques and MIMO systems

The Earth’s upper atmosphere (UA) is a highly dynamic region dominated by atmospheric waves and stratified turbulence covering a wide range of spatio-temporal scales. A comprehensive study of the UA requires measurements over a broad range of frequencies and spatial wavelengths, which are prohibitively costly. To improve the understanding of the UA, an investment in efficient and large observational infrastructures is required. This work investigates remote sensing techniques based on MIMO and inverse problems techniques to improve the capabilities of current atmospheric radars

Analysing the visual dynamics of spatial morphology

Recently there has been a revival of interest in visibility analysis of architectural configurations. The new analyses rely heavily on computing power and statistical analysis, two factors which, according to the postpositivist school of geography, should immediately cause us to be wary. Thedanger, they would suggest, is in the application of a reductionist formal mathematical description in order to `explain' multilayered sociospatial phenomena. The author presents an attempt to rationalise how we can use visibility analysis to explore architecture in this multilayered context by considering the dynamics that lead to the visual experience. In particular, it is recommended that we assess the visualprocess of inhabitation, rather than assess the visibility in vacuo. In order to investigate the possibilities and limitations of the methodology, an urban environment is analysed by means of an agent-based model of visual actors within the configuration. The results obtained from the model are compared with actual pedestrian movement and other analytic measurements of the area: the agents correlate well both with human movement patterns and with configurational relationship as analysed by space-syntax methods. The application of both methods in combination improves on the correlation with observed movement of either, which in turn implies that an understanding of both the process of inhabitation and the principles of configuration may play a crucial role in determining the social usage of space

Nimbus 6 Random Access Measurement System applications experiments

The advantages of a technique in which data collection platforms randomly transmit signal to a polar orbiting satellite, thus eliminating satellite interrogation are demonstrated in investigations of the atmosphere; oceanographic parameters; Arctic regions and ice conditions; navigation and position location; and data buoy development

Integrated Airport Surface Operations

The current air traffic environment in airport terminal areas experiences substantial delays when weather conditions deteriorate to Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Research activity at NASA has culminated in the development, flight test and demonstration of a prototype Low Visibility Landing and Surface Operations (LVLASO) system. A NASA led industry team and the FAA developed the system which integrated airport surface surveillance systems, aeronautical data links, DGPS navigation, automation systems, and controller and flight deck displays. The LVLASO system was demonstrated at the Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport using a Boeing 757-200 aircraft during August, 1997. This report documents the contractors role in this testing particularly in the area of data link and DGPS navigation