Integrated navigation systems by means of wireless local area networks

Abstract

This thesis explains the methodology used in the design of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) and puts forward one particular configuration suitable for Integrated Navigation Systems (INSs).The choice of the Extremely High Frequency band (EHF) is based on two fundamental reasons. Firstly, EHF waves range from 30 to 300 GHz, which makes possible high data transmission rates (up to 155 Mbps). Secondly, EHF waves suffer both high attenuation and low diffraction when they are propagating through indoor channels, which provides a good isolation and allows using narrow aperture angles, respectively.Both special modulation and spatial diversity techniques are needed to cancel the multipath effects mainly due to wave reflections as the wave is propagating through the indoor channel.A typical configuration for this kind of systems consists of a set of base stations, uniformly distributed through the ship, installed on the ceiling. Each base station defines a picocell through several data terminals are linked by radiowaves.The design of INSs based on WLANs is proposed as a novel research field whose results can reduce the installation and maintenance costs of these systems aboard ship. Experimental results and empirical models must be previously obtained.305 p