|Numéro de publication||US7873099 B2|
|Type de publication||Octroi|
|Numéro de demande||US 11/980,529|
|Date de publication||18 janv. 2011|
|Date de dépôt||31 oct. 2007|
|Date de priorité||14 juin 1999|
|État de paiement des frais||Payé|
|Autre référence de publication||US7649925, US20060291537, US20080151967|
|Numéro de publication||11980529, 980529, US 7873099 B2, US 7873099B2, US-B2-7873099, US7873099 B2, US7873099B2|
|Inventeurs||Larry W. Fullerton, Mark D. Roberts, James L. Richards|
|Cessionnaire d'origine||Time Domain Corporation|
|Exporter la citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Citations de brevets (105), Citations hors brevets (7), Référencé par (2), Classifications (21), Événements juridiques (3)|
|Liens externes: USPTO, Cession USPTO, Espacenet|
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/140,535, filed May 28, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/806,131, filed Mar. 23, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/449,602, filed Jun. 2, 2003 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,736), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/131,598, filed Apr. 25, 2002 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,857), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/767,131, filed Jan. 23, 2001 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,307), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/332,502, filed Jun. 14, 1999 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,903). This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/332,503, filed Jun. 14, 1999 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,979), entitled “Wide Area Time Domain Radar Array” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/332,501, filed Jun. 14, 1999 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,213), entitled “System and Method for Impulse Radio Power Control”.
All of the patents and patent applications listed above are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to the field of precision time transfer, more particularly to the field of time transfer by electromagnetic signals.
2. Background of the Invention
Accurate time, traceable to a standard, has been a challenge and objective through the ages. In each age, as timekeeping becomes more accurate, more and more uses are found for the more accurate time keeping. In early times, time keeping was only used to arrange meetings to minimize lost productivity as people were assembled. As time keeping advanced, time could be used to help determine longitude for seagoing ships and for recording and measuring astronomical events. As civilization advanced, time zones were established to simplify train scheduling and coordinate commerce at multiple locations now linked by high speed transportation and communications. In modern times, precision time accurate to milliseconds or better is used to coordinate events and measurements. For example, in a missile test, the precision comparison of the timing of events and measurements on board the missile with ground based radar and optical observation is critical to the evaluation of missile performance and the determination of faults and errors needed for system development.
Precision timing also finds use in coordination of data from widely separated radio telescopes, enabling much finer resolution and image detail. Before GPS, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (then, NBS) operated WWV, WWVL, short wave and long wave time and frequency standards that are still operating and still in use by many systems. Precision time has also been transmitted over TV network systems using horizontal sync and color subcarrier signals. Recently, GPS has been developed to provide accurate time transfer as well as position measurement. Basic accuracy may be 100 ns or better with differential capability to 1 ns or better for the high performance systems.
With the availability of higher precision time, applications are finding more uses and demanding greater accuracy in time measurements and timing comparisons. Sporting events, for years, were happy with tenth of a second resolution in stop watches. Then hundredths of a second became available. Now some events are decided by milliseconds and there is talk of 100 microseconds.
Thus, there exists a present and future need for ever more precise and accurate time transfer and time measurement by simpler and more economical devices that can serve consumer and commercial applications.
Briefly, time is transferred from an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter to UWB receiver by transmitting a signal structure having an associated timing reference point together with a time value for the timing reference point. The UWB receiver receives the timing signal structure by synchronizing a receiver time base to the signal structure, demodulating the time value information, and using the demodulated time value information to set a receiver clock value. Propagation delay information is used to adjust the receiver clock value by advancing the receiver clock value to account for the propagation delay. In one embodiment, propagation delay is determined from a known distance between the transmitter and receiver. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are part of a two-way link wherein propagation delay is measured by round trip timing measurements.
The synchronizing step may include a leading edge algorithm to determine the shortest delay path in a multipath environment. Alternatively, the measurement of separation distance between the transmitter and receiver is accomplished by external means such as survey or GPS. In another embodiment, the separation distance is determined using a full duplex UWB link.
In a further embodiment based on a first transceiver TRX1 and a second transceiver TRX2, the synchronizing step may comprise the step of comparing the multipath pattern resulting from transmitting from TRX1 to TRX2 with the multipath pattern resulting from transmitting from TRX2 to TRX1 to establish round trip timing and determine propagation delay.
System delays may be calibrated to remove fixed offsets from timing measurements. Delay calibration may be made with reference to an external reflector or an internal reflector such as an internal delay line or the transmitting antenna itself. In another embodiment, radar range may be used to determine distance and delay time. One end of a link may include a reflective tag for distance and delay determination.
Acquisition of the timing signal is improved by using a short code, which may repeat over the transmit-receive interval, together with a long code which does not repeat over the transmit-receive interval. In one embodiment, a portion of the short codes is replaced by a plurality of alternate codes. In another embodiment, pseudo random spacing is introduced between the short codes. In another embodiment, the code length is varied according to a pseudo random process.
A code word timer concept is disclosed that allows arbitrary selection of integration time for fast acquisition of strong signals while allowing long integration for weak signals.
Timing network architectures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a beacon transmitter transmits to a plurality of receivers. In another embodiment, a plurality of synchronized transmitters transmit to a single receiver. In another embodiment timing is relayed over a network. In another embodiment, timing is used to coordinate an array of radars.
The precision timing process is applied to a number of applications including but not limited to the monitoring of sporting events to determine the winner and to determine intermediate player positions, factory automation, robotics, gaming, antenna array beam forming, security system range enhancement, simulation and test environment timing.
In one embodiment a crystal clock is used to provide precision stable range information. In another embodiment, a range locked loop is disclosed that does not need a precision clock.
The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.
The following is an overview of impulse radio as an aid in understanding the benefits of the present invention.
Ultra Wideband is an emerging RF technology with significant benefits in communications, radar, positioning and sensing applications. In 2002, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recognized these potential benefits to the consumer and issued the first rulemaking enabling the commercial sale and use of products based on Ultra Wideband technology in the United States of America. The FCC adopted a definition of Ultra Wideband to be a signal that occupies a fractional bandwidth of at least 0.25, or 400 MHz bandwidth at any center frequency. The fractional bandwidth is more precisely defined as:
where FBW is the fractional bandwidth, fh is the upper band edge and fl is the lower band edge, the band edges being defined as the 10 dB down point in spectral density.
There are many approaches to UWB including impulse radio, direct sequence CDMA, ultra wideband noise radio, direct modulation of ultra high-speed data, and other methods. The present invention has its origin in ultra wideband impulse radio and will have significant application there, but it has potential benefit and application beyond impulse radio to other forms of ultra wideband and beyond ultra wideband to conventional radio systems as well. Nonetheless, it is useful to describe the invention in relation to impulse radio to understand the basics and then expand the description to the extensions of the technology.
Impulse radio has been described in a series of patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,641,317 (issued Feb. 3, 1987), U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,057 (issued Mar. 14, 1989), U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,186 (issued Dec. 18, 1990), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,108 (issued Nov. 8, 1994) to Larry W. Fullerton. A second generation of impulse radio patents includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,677,927 (issued Oct. 14, 1997), 5,687,169 (issued Nov. 11, 1997), 5,764,696 (issued Jun. 9, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,035 (issued Nov. 3, 1998), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,663 (issued Oct. 19, 1999) to Fullerton et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,081 (issued Sep. 22, 1998), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,956 (issued Sep. 14, 1999) to Fullerton, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Uses of impulse radio systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,903 (issued Jan. 23, 2001) titled, “System and Method for Intrusion Detection using a Time Domain Radar Array”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,979 (issued Apr. 17, 2001) titled “Wide Area Time Domain Radar Array”, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,384 (issued Sep. 2, 2003), which are incorporated herein by reference.
Additional details on pulser circuits may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/537,692 Titled: “Apparatus, System and Method for Flip Modulation in an Impulse Radio Communications System,” filed Mar. 29, 2000, by Fullerton et al., and application Ser. No. 10/712,271 titled: “A Bi-Phase Modulator for Ultra Wideband Signals”, filed Sep. 30, 2004, by Fitzpatrick et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.
Additional details on receiver circuits may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,389 titled “Baseband Signal Converter Device for a Wideband Impulse Radio Receiver” issued Jul. 16, 2002 to Jett et al. Further UWB power saving techniques may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,904 titled “Method and system for coordinating timing among ultrawideband transmissions” issued Dec. 10, 2002 to Richards, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,571,089 titled: “Method and apparatus for moderating interference while effecting impulse radio wireless control of equipment,” issued May 27, 2003 to Richards et al. and US patent application titled: “System And Method For Processing Signals In UWB Communications,” Ser. No. 10/712,269, filed on 14 Nov. 2003 by Brethour et al. All of the above cited US patents and US patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Timing coordination among UWB transmissions is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,904, titled: “Method and System for Coordinating Timing Among Ultrawideband Transmissions,” issued Dec. 10, 2002 to Richards. Security systems utilizing timing are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,384, titled: “System and Method for Detecting an Intruder Using Impulse Radio Technology,” issued Sep. 2, 2003 to Hall et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,903, titled: “System and Method for Intrusion Detection Using a Time Domain Radar Array,” issued Jan. 23, 2001 to Fullerton et al. Object position location is further explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,300,903, titled: “System and Method for Person or Object Position Location Utilizing Impulse Radio,” issued Oct. 9, 2001, to Richards et al. Position determination is further explained in U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,876, titled: “System and Method for Position Determination by Impulse Radio,” issued Oct. 17, 2000 to Fullerton et al. Functional control based on position information is further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/511,991, titled “System and Method for Information Assimilation and Functionality Control Based on Positioning Information Obtained by Impulse Radio Techniques,” filed Feb. 24, 2000 by Taylor et al. Delay coding techniques are further described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/878,923, titled: “System and Method for Applying Delay Codes to Pulse Train Signals,” filed Jun. 13, 2001 by Roberts and U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,730 titled “Method and apparatus for applying codes having pre-defined properties,” issued Sep. 7, 2004 to Richards et al. The above listed US patents and US patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Distance measurement is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,876 Titled: “System and Method for Position Determination By Impulse Radio,” issued Oct. 17, 2000 to Fullerton et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,019 Titled: “System and Method for Distance Measurement by Inphase and Quadrature Signals in a Radio System” issued Sep. 25, 2001 to Richards et al.
Full duplex communications is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,169, titled “Full Duplex Ultrawide-Band Communication System and Method,” issued Nov. 11, 1997 to Fullerton.
Precision timing generators are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,304,623 titled “Precision Timing Generator System and Method,” issued Oct. 16, 2001 to Richards et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,691 titled “Precision timing generator apparatus and associated methods,” issued Jun. 10, 2003 to Richards et al.
Acquisition is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,556,621 titled “System for Fast Lock and Acquisition of Ultra-Wideband Signals,” issued Apr. 29, 2003 to Richards et al.
All of the above mentioned US patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Timing Transfer Using Ultra Wideband Signals
In accordance with the present invention, timing is transferred between a transmitter and a receiver by sending timing information keyed and synchronized to UWB signal characteristics such that timing may be unambiguously identified in the received signal in spite of multipath or other signal distortions. The same UWB signals may also be utilized to measure propagation delay to trace the timing origin to the transmitter frame.
During the course of transmitting and receiving the signal, timing ambiguities and errors arise from numerous sources. These sources include circuit delays, filters, multipath, path length wrap around, pulse distortion, pulse cycle uncertainty, code side lobe response and other sources that depend on signal and system architecture. Thus, the present invention resolves ambiguities in a unified hierarchical synchronization architecture that insures unambiguous timing synchronization at all time intervals. This is achieved by resolving ambiguities at the pulse level, code level, data level, and message level while providing circuit delay self calibration and compensation.
The system, in accordance with the present invention, mitigates ambiguities in timing by using one or more of the following strategies: non-repetitive coding, ultra wideband signal properties, multipath algorithms, data patterns, and delay calibration techniques. Each strategy addresses a specific time scale or signal property. Ultra wideband signals are used to provide precise timing to the smallest time scales and to enable resolution of a specific RF cycle to enable sub RF cycle timing resolution. First arriving pulse and multipath pattern matching enable accurate delay measurements in the presence of multipath in the environment. Coding is used to synchronize timing on a time scale commensurate with the code length. Coding, however, leaves timing ambiguities equal to the code repeat length. Code modulation or variation extends timing ambiguities to greater lengths. Data modulation, used with data synchronization and timing data eliminates coding ambiguities and enables tracing time to a unique start time in history. Calibration techniques, using various references including internal references and external references, allow for accurate measurements by removing device and temperature variations.
Timing is initially resolved to the interval of a UWB pulse by acquiring and locking on the pulse train signal. Systems and methods for pulse train acquisition and tracking may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,832,035 and 6,556,621 previously incorporated by reference above. A typical UWB pulse may comprise only a few RF cycles. For example, a 3 GHz center frequency UWB pulse with a bandwidth of 1 GHz may have only about three significant RF cycles. A typical UWB acquisition process will lock on one of these cycles resulting in a synchronization error of less than a fraction of a nanosecond. Once the receiver is locked on the signal, a correction may be made for propagation delay based on known distance or measured delay. Thus, a pulsed UWB system can achieve timing synchronization to a fraction of a nanosecond by acquiring and locking on a UWB pulse train, and then correcting for propagation delay.
For many systems acquiring and locking is the first step. Further features of the invention described herein offer finer resolution, higher reliability, and better performance in multipath.
Once acquisition is achieved, timing of the received pulse waveform may be further resolved to the precise RF cycle and potentially to the phase within the RF cycle. As such, timing synchronization accuracy within tens of picoseconds can be achieved with careful system design. In one embodiment, a scanning receiver architecture is used to scan the received signal and determine the peak cycle of the pulse. Scanning receiver techniques may be better understood with reference to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/712,269, which has been incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, a scanning receiver receives a signal at a set of sequential time offset values. The set of sequential signal strength values received comprises a “scan,” which may then be processed to determine signal characteristics such as peak, or leading edge, or other properties. The system can then lock on the peak cycle of the pulse for consistent timing resolved to a single cycle. If a correlating or sampling receiver is used to lock on the signal, the phase of the lock will be stable because the correlating or sampling processes are inherently phase sensitive. The resulting system may then operate with resolution and precision to a fraction of a wavelength of the UWB signal.
Alternatively, RF cycle synchronization may be achieved by using a first arriving pulse, or leading edge algorithm similar to algorithms known for distance measurement, however, the performance criteria and potential methodology may be different for timing measurement. For timing measurement, a consistent delay measurement may be the objective, which may be along any path, i.e., knowledge of the first arriving pulse may not always be needed as long as the timing can be measured, and later arriving pulses may provide better signal strength than the first arriving pulse. Further details on cycle synchronization algorithms will be described later. Details on first arriving pulse algorithms used in distance measurement may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,712 (issued Jul. 13, 2004) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/915,620 (filed Jul. 26, 2001), which are incorporated herein by reference.
A particular RF cycle may be identified for timing measurement by using leading edge algorithms that detect the first arriving pulse in a multipath environment. The first arriving pulse may be found by scanning the signal space and setting a threshold based on background signal, maximum signal, and/or signal correlation.
One method for mitigating the multiple tracking point issue is to utilize a scanning receiver to capture the received waveform data and then analyze the waveform to determine a selected tracking time offset and then move the receiver timer to that time offset to track the signal. In one embodiment, the selected tracking time is determined from the greatest signal peak or greatest peak to peak swing. (Signals are typically tracked using the slope rather than the peak.)
In another embodiment, the selected signal feature for tracking is determined from the first arriving pulse (alternatively called leading edge) of the received waveform.
First arriving pulse information, however, is not essential to timing transfer. In a system with two-way communications, multipath pattern matching may be used to determine delay irrespective of the leading edge, or first arriving pulse. Since two transceivers communicating with one another use the same path, the reflections will be the same in both directions. If the two transceivers have the same pulse shape and same receiver pulse processing, the multipath response patterns will be the same. By pattern matching, the multipath response pattern may be used to determine path delay. Thus, any signal path through any reflection or group of reflections may be used to determine the delay that is used to relate the receiver timing frame to the transmitter timing frame. Thus, a signal peak, such as peak 206 b in
Timing transfer with two-way measurement of multipath will now be described with reference to
The two-way measurement process utilizes the property that the two-way link includes the same reflections and results in the same multipath pattern in each direction. By comparing multipath patterns from each direction, signal delays may be accurately determined. The multipath pattern matching may be combined with a full duplex link described later. The full duplex link provides two-way communications and round trip timing to allow determination of propagation delay once a signal match is determined. Correlation matching may be better understood with reference to
The time difference 510 determined by signal correspondence may be combined with receive to transmit delay in the first transceiver and second transceiver to determine a total link round trip delay. Propagation delay may then be determined by subtracting known fixed system delays.
As may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other pattern matching algorithms may be used and the matching calculation may be performed at the first transceiver or second transceiver or another processor receiving the information necessary for calculation via a network or other communication link.
Full Duplex Link for Measuring Propagation Delay
More specifically, the time delay from TRX1 402 transmit to TRX1 402 reception of the TRX2 404 signal is:
Determining Tround requires matching the transmit pulse time 612 to the receive pulse time 618. The matching may be problematic in multipath since the waveforms may be significantly different. However, using waveform matching, the round trip time may be found as follows.
We can define a time base delta (Ttbd) as the time base difference 510 found in
Since T prop1=Tprop2,
Time transfer may be accomplished from TRX1 to TRX2 by transmitting a time tagged signal and correcting for propagation delay to relate the received time tagged signal to the transmitted time base. Thus,
Thus, time may be accurately transferred using multipath pattern matching in the absence of a direct path signal and without the knowledge of distance between the transceivers and even without the ability to determine distance.
The disclosure to this point has treated a transceiver as having a single time base for the transmitter and receiver, or an architecture where the differences may be easily determined and accounted for, but such may not always be the case. This section discloses a calibration method to compensate for various delays in an exemplary system. The calibration process may be run once and the values stored for later use, or may be integrated into each measurement sequence.
In one embodiment fixed compensation may be determined. A system may be set up and operated in a known measured fixture where the output can be accurately verified. Any residual errors may be attributed to fixed electronic delays plus cable delays and other related fixed delays. The residual errors may then be corrected by subtracting a fixed value from the uncorrected results. The fixed value may then be stored in the system for use with future results. Fixed value correction, however, may be time consuming for volume production and may not perform well over temperature or time. Thus, a self calibration method may offer advantages and may be used in place of or in addition to fixed calibration.
External Reflector As Reference
In one embodiment, an external reflector 716 at a measured distance is used to calibrate the system, i.e. to measure and remove static errors. The transmitter transmits a pulse train and the receiver 708 is operated as a scanning receiver to scan the reflected signal from the transmitted pulse train. First arriving pulse or signal matching (using a stored waveform pattern) may be used to find the time delay of the reflection. System delays may then be determined by subtracting a fixed delay based on the known distance to the reflector. Thus temperature variations in the overall delay will be removed because the timing to the antenna 408 will be based on a fixed delay from a known reflector 716.
Internal Delay Line As Reference
In a further embodiment, an internal delay line 710 is used to determine and compensate for internal delays. A portion of the transmitter signal is coupled through a delay line 710 to the receiver 708. The receiver 708 is operated as a scanning receiver to determine the return delay through the delay line 710. System delays may then be determined based on the calibrated delay of the delay line 710, removing temperature sensitive electronic delays from the result.
Antenna Mismatch As Reference
In another embodiment, a reflection from the slight mismatch of the antenna is used to determine the time delay to the antenna and to determine and compensate for internal delays. Broadband UWB antennas may naturally have a slight mismatch that may be utilized for calibration. The natural mismatch may, however, produce waveform distortion in the return signal, thus it may be desirable to generate a broadband reflection by resistive mismatch for waveform control. Again, the receiver 708 is operated as a scanning receiver to determine the delay to the antenna 408. Once the delay to the antenna 408 is known, the timing to the remainder of a timing network or link may be accurately determined and accurately controlled.
Note a number of other features of the system. The same scanning system and scanning clock in TRX1 is used to develop the self scan of the pulse 808 in
The TRX2 transmitter timing may be controlled to produce a scanned pulse 822 with timing related to the received pulse 816 of
The system may be modified to use other calibration methods, such as fixed calibration, to determine antenna signal timing. Also, given the complexity of antenna reflections, slight adjustments may be made for precise antenna position based on calibrated measurements.
Alternative embodiments for calibrating an impulse radio are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/245,222 (filed Sep. 17, 2002), which is incorporated herein by reference.
Code Word Timing Resolution
The timing pulse that identifies the timing reference is resolved from the many pulses of a pulse train by using a code. The code length is preferably chosen to correspond to a distance that is greater than the distance between the transmitter and receiver. Multiple pulses are integrated to form a data bit in the manner well known for communicating data using UWB pulse trains. A code is chosen so that a shift of one pulse time results in significant attenuation of the integration result, i.e. the code has very low autocorrelation side lobes. A strong signal, however, may be acquired and data may be demodulated on a side lobe. For data communication, this may be acceptable, but for timing transfer, this presents potential timing error. Thus, for timing transfer a further validation of code phase may be performed. In one embodiment, code phase validation is achieved by shifting the code in phase to test all potential side lobe positions. The strongest signal would then be the correct code phase. In another embodiment, the code may vary from one code to another in a prescribed manner. Continuous tracking of the changing code further validates the code phase. The changing code may also be used to extend the code length. Thus, a particular code position in a sequence of short codes could be resolved by the changing code. Maintaining track would validate code-to-code position because being out of phase would result in loss of lock and require relocking.
Thus, short codes may be made effectively longer by varying the spacing 1118-1122 between codes, or varying a portion of the short codes, or by varying the length of the short code. Combinations of codes may be used that allow fast lock on the short code while resolving longer time intervals with a periodic code change. Further details on codes of these types may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,730 and patent application Ser. No. 09/878,923 which have been incorporated herein by reference.
Data Sync Pattern
After pulse timing ambiguities are resolved, data ambiguities are resolved by finding a data sync pattern. Referring back to
Once data bits are synchronized, a timing data value 104 is received wherein the timing data value communicates the time for an associated timing reference point 101. An exemplary timing reference point 101 may be the first pulse 112 of the first data bit 108 of the timing data synchronization pattern 102; however, any point may be chosen that can be uniquely identified.
Time Code Counter
In one embodiment of the invention, a time code counter method is used that conveys timing data to any desired repeat length, provides for synchronization, includes a timing reference point, and can be received with an arbitrarily long integration time to acquire and receive timing information in weak signal, long distance, or interference conditions.
In one system implementation, each code sequence shown by a clear or shaded box may be integrated and detected as a data bit; thus, clear boxes may be zeroes and shaded boxes may be ones.
In one embodiment, a system of multiple beacons may identify the beacon by the beacon sync code. The beacon sync code may be unique for a given beacon and thus also identify the beacon.
The spectrum of the signal is a function of the spectrum of the code and the spectrum of the data, e.g. the 13 length Barker code, and the beacon sync and counter. In one embodiment, the spectrum is further spread by using a longer code. In another embodiment, the spectrum is further spread by using a more pseudo-random counter or by using the same counter and exclusive-or-ing the counter with a pseudo random sequence.
The counter code shown is an n-digit decimal code where n=4. The position of the flipped (shaded) code within the associated ten code length digit sequence represents the digit value for that digit sequence. Thus row 0 flipped indicates decimal 000, row 1 flipped indicates decimal 001 and so on to row 10, which indicates decimal 0010. Each row indicates the time value of the associated time reference boundary for that row. (Note that the time reference boundary may be arbitrarily chosen as long as the transmitter and receiver use the same definition.)
The choice of the counter length, n, depends on system requirements for the particular application. The counter length should be sufficient to overcome timing ambiguities. For example, the counter length may be sufficient to span the propagation delay time or the counter may span the time between manual timer settings. The counter 1204 may be used with other data, transmitted by UWB or other means, to extend the time reference to longer times, such as seconds, hours, days, or years. In one embodiment, one or more counter time slots are used to transmit a data stream. The data stream may include the most significant bits or digits of timer synchronization.
The code sequence of
In another mode of operation, the code structure of
Once signal lock is verified, the receiver may then search for beacon sync code patterns. An integration length of 100 codes may still be used, but the integration data comes in groups, i.e. the sampler samples and integrates ten consecutive code lengths using a beacon sync code pattern, 130 pulses in the example of
Once the beacon sync pattern is found, the receiver may then determine the counter value. The most significant digits may be determined by integrating consecutive like digits, watching for a transition. For example, 100 most significant digit 1206 a “0” position codes may be summed to determine the 0 or 1 bit value of that position. It will take a total time of 5000 codes to sum 100 digit values for the example. Digit values “0”, “1,” “2,” and so on may be summed in parallel to speed the process. Consecutive 100 length integrations may be observed to detect a transition. A weak signal may indicate a digit transition occurring during that integration interval.
The least significant digit 1206 d may be detected by integrating diagonally, i.e. consecutive counter values are moved over one code length and summed. If the phase is right, the sum will comprise entirely shaded box codes and the counter least significant digit may be set. Once the least significant digit is set, the next least significant digit may be integrated using the transition information from the least significant digit to track the movement of the next least significant digit. For the next least significant digit, ten consecutive “0” boxes are integrated and then ten consecutive “1” boxes are integrated and so on, transitioning from “0” to “1” as the least significant digit transitions from “9” to “0”. If white box code energy is found, the phase is shifted by one code position and the integration repeated until shaded box code energy is found. When shaded box code energy is found, the second least significant digit may be set. The process may then be repeated until all digits are determined.
Although the code length shown is 13 pulses, an arbitrary number of pulses may be integrated for acquisition, track, and counter decode to increase the range as needed for a given system. Additionally, although the transmitted counter codes are shown to begin at 0000, the counter codes can begin at other values. For example, under one arrangement, a transmitter might begin transmitting at midnight a counter code beginning with 0000. Or, a transmitter beginning transmitting at some later time might begin the counter at a value corresponding to that later time. As such, the counter codes may themselves convey information about the start time of transmissions. Alternatively, the counter codes may not convey such information because that information is known to the transmitter and receiver.
Synergistic Integration of Time, Distance, and Data
Thus, it can be seen that the present invention allows for the transfer of precision timing, measurement of distance, and communication of data, all with the same architecture. Indeed, one method for timing transfer includes measurement of the first arriving pulse, and round trip delay, which are the essential data required for distance measurement. Distance measurement is further explained in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,133,876 and 6,295,019, which have been incorporated herein by reference.
Transmitter, Receiver, and Transceiver Architectures
Transmitter, receiver, transceiver, and network architectures will now be described that implement time transfer in accordance with the timing methods described herein.
The time value 1410 may include a data synchronization marker to identify the beginning of the data word or message. The pulse waveform, code, time value, and pulse train identify time precisely in accordance with the pulse train and uniquely within the range of the time value word. Thus, time may be traced back to the precision timer with a precision relating potentially to a fraction of an RF cycle over a time span relating to the number of bits in the time value word, which may be arbitrarily long. The code, time value and pulse train each relate to different time scales in the time signal. The pulse defines the precise instant in time, potentially down to tens of picoseconds (for and exemplary 3 GHz UWB system). The code resolves pulse-to-pulse ambiguity and may span 100 pulses, or 5 microseconds (for an exemplary 20 Mega pulses per second (Mpps) system). The time value may then resolve code-to-code ambiguities to minutes, if desired, or to millennia, if needed.
The incoming signal is received using a baseband converter 1502, which may be a sampling stage or a template correlator stage. A sampling signal or template signal is provided by a signal generator 1510 triggered by the precision timer 1514. The signal generator may include a code 1512 to resolve code modulo timing (within the code repeat length).
A tracking error signal resulting from the conversion process is filtered by a tracking filter 1516 and used to adjust the precision timer 1514 to lock to the incoming signal. A baseband processor 1504 further processes the sampled signal to detect a data stream 1506 which may include timing data 1508.
A processor 1528 receives the timing data, which may include a timing value and may include propagation delay information and other information. The processor 1528 may set the timing clock counter 1518 in accordance with the received time value, or may set the timing clock counter 1518 with a time value which is the received time value corrected by propagation delay. The timing output 1520 combines the precision timer signal 1514 and clock counter 1518 to produce a timing signal 1522 comprising a timing pulse 1524 having a precise transition edge related to the received pulse timing and a timing value 1526 which identifies the time associated with each respective timing pulse. Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, the timing signal 1522 comprises a square wave clock signal with a rising edge indicative of the time reference point in the received code sequence in combination with a parallel data word indicating the time value 1526 of the start of the square wave cycle. The parallel data word typically need not (but may) include redundant significant bits representing time between square wave pulses, i.e. the timing word may be a counter indicating the number of square wave intervals that have lapsed from a reference start time.
The timing output may also include a controllable delay on the timing pulse signal to adjust for propagation delay. The processor 1508 may set a value in the timing output 1520 to control the controllable delay. Where the controllable delay is used, the counter bits should be representative of the delayed pulse signal. In an alternative embodiment, the variable delay is placed between the precision timer 1514 and the timing clock counter 1518. The timing output 1522 comprises the delayed timer and the timing clock counter 1518.
In a first embodiment, the system of
The control processor 1702 receives timer difference information from the timer difference function 1704 along with turn around time information from the second transceiver as part of the data to compute round trip delay and associated propagation delay. In some embodiments, the control processor 1702 may control the receiver timer 1514 to produce scan data. The control processor 1702 may also receive scan data from the second transceiver, and may perform pattern matching in the determination of round trip delay and propagation delay. Propagation delay information is then placed in the data stream to be transmitted to the second transceiver.
In one embodiment, the transmitter timer 1402 (and clock register 1410) is synchronized to a time reference source 1401. The time reference source 1401 may be traceable to a standard time source such as operated by Government agencies.
Further details on time difference measurement may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,577,691, 6,295,019, and 5,687,169, which have been incorporated herein by reference. The transceiver of
In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver of
A composite time signal 1522 may be generated by combining time value data and propagation delay information with transmitter time base 1402 and clock information. In one embodiment, the control processor 1702 sets the transmitter time base 1402 and clock in accordance with received time value and propagation delay information. The transmitter time base 1402 thereafter maintains the clock at the correct time. The composite time signal 1522 may comprise clock timing 1524 and associated digital data 1526.
In a further alternative, the transmitter pulser 1420 is not necessary or not used. Propagation delay information may not be used or propagation delay information may be obtained by other means than round trip timing. Thus, to establish timing, the receiver timebase is used to acquire and track a beacon signal. When locked, the transmitter time base 1402 is set for the desired timing relative to the receiver time base 1514 by measuring the time difference and adjusting the transmitter timing in a feedback loop. The desired transmitter timing difference may include propagation delay information as necessary.
The transmitter timer 1402 also drives a clock, which contains a clock register having a time value to be transmitted. The clock register may be implemented as a counter driven by the transmitter timer 1402. The time value is included as data in a timing message that is transmitted. The transmitter may also transmit propagation delay information and/or multipath pattern information according to the mode of operation. The output of the receiver time value register 1520 may be a clock signal 1524 and a value signal 1526, or may be a combined clock 1410 and data serial stream, such as is known for IRIG timing, for example. The receiver time value register may also include an adjustment for propagation delay. In one embodiment, the adjustment for propagation delay is used to set the transmitter time base 1402 and clock 1410. The time base then maintains time by incrementing the clock 1410. Propagation delay information may be sent from the beacon transceiver in the data stream, or may be determined by other methods, such as by known surveyed distance measurements.
In some embodiments, the control processor 1702 may control the receiver time base 1514 to produce scan data. The control processor 1702 may also receive scan data from the beacon transceiver, and may perform pattern matching in the determination of round trip delay and propagation delay. Propagation delay information may then be placed in the data stream to be transmitted to the beacon transceiver. The control processor 1702 may adjust the time clock 1410 in accordance with propagation delay.
In operation, the receiver time base 1514 is controlled to acquire the signal from the beacon transceiver. When acquired, the tracking loop is closed to maintain track on the beacon transceiver signal. In this mode, the receiver time base 1514 is controlled by the tracking loop filter 1516. Once lock is achieved, the transmitter time base 1402 is positioned by setting the difference control. The beacon transceiver then receives the transmitted signal, measures round trip delay and decodes turn around time and multipath scan pattern data as required to determine propagation delay. The beacon transceiver then sends propagation delay information to the second transceiver. The propagation delay information is then used to calculate a correct timing for the transmitter time base 1402 and the difference is set to achieve the correct timing. The time difference may be set in any increment desired without disturbing the second transceiver lock on the beacon signal. However, if the difference is changed in large steps (more than ¼ wavelength at the UWB center frequency), the beacon may have to reacquire the signal. In one embodiment, the beacon may use the known incremental change of the difference setting to find the new signal lock point. The incremental setting change may be transmitted as part of the data stream from the second transceiver to the beacon transceiver.
In operation, the transmitter time base 1402 and clock 1410 may initially be synchronized to a reference time base, if desired. The transmitter time base 1402 then controls the timing for transmission of a timing message assembled by the control processor. The timing message may comprise a signal structure related to the timing clock 1410 along with a data portion including time clock 1410 data representing the most significant bits of the timing information, the time clock 1410 signal structure providing the fine resolution of the timing information. The data stream of the timing message may also contain other data such as protocol information, identification information, multipath scan data, and other data. A second transceiver then receives the timing message and may use the timing message as provided or may correct for propagation delay. The correction may be by known distance or may be measured. To measure delay, the second transceiver locks on to the beacon signal to obtain stable frequency and time delay and then sends a return signal with a determined relationship to the received signal. The relationship, typically turn around time, is sent as part of the return message. The beacon transceiver then acquires the return message. The timer difference may be varied to scan time offset space for a return message. Once a return message is found, the timer difference is controlled by the output of a lock filter to maintain track on the return message. The control value required to maintain track may be used by the control processor 1702 to determine round trip delay. Round trip delay is used with turn around time and may be used with multipath scan pattern data to determine propagation delay. The propagation delay value is then transmitted to the second transceiver for setting the received time clock.
In an alternative mode of operation, the transceiver of
Receiver Only and Transmitter Only Embodiments
In one embodiment, a receiver having an unknown position, or delay value, relative to a network, may determine timing by receiving timing signals from sufficient network transmitters to resolve ambiguities. Similarly, a network of receivers may receive a timing signal from a transmitter of unknown delay value and determine the timing of the transmitter.
A timing repeater may be formed by a first transceiver providing timing to a second transceiver (timing repeater) by exchanging relative timing signals. Then the second transceiver (timing repeater) may transmit timing signals to a third transceiver. If both the first transceiver and second transceiver are stationary, the timing repeater may continue to receive timing signals from the first transceiver without having to continue to exchange delay information.
Alternatively, the timing repeater may find delay information by survey or by communication with multiple receivers as disclosed above.
Control of a Second Transmitter by a Common Receiver
In one embodiment, two transmitters are synchronized by common reception. A receiver locks on the signals from the first transmitter to derive synchronization and timing information. The receiver then receives a second transmitter and provides control information to the second transmitter to position the timing signal at the receiver at the same timing value as the first transmitter. The receiver may receive each of the transmitters in alternate time slots. The alternate time slots may be, for example alternate pulses, alternate code sequences, alternate data bits, alternate messages, or other alternate time slots. In one embodiment, the second transmitter's signal may be placed at the same time as the first transmitter. To maintain lock on the first transmitter, there may intervals where the second transmitter is absent to provide a clear lock on the first transmitter.
As a further improvement in system accuracy, where the system is a network having multiple nodes, multiple correction measurements may be made and measurements combined to improve overall accuracy.
Distance Lock, Distance Locked Loop
In one embodiment, the timer oscillator frequency is adjusted so that the number of timer clock ticks corresponding to round trip time is controlled to a desired value, i.e. a distance locked loop.
The distance locked loop may be used where one distance in a network is well known. An economical timer oscillator may be used to measure the length and then adjust the oscillator to a frequency that results in the correct length measurement.
In another application, the distance locked loop may be used to maintain geometrical proportion, i.e. measurement of one side of a triangle will set the timer oscillator frequency to maintain proportional measurement of other triangle sides.
In still another application, the frequency of the timer oscillator is compared with a reference to detect motion on one end of the link causing the link distance to change.
The following is a discussion of just a few of the uses for precision timing in accordance with the present invention.
Timing Scales and Uses
Timing needs and uses vary over a wide range, from a few tens of picoseconds for coherent signal processing and antenna array applications and to support accurate distance measurement. Sporting events used to be satisfied with a tenth of a second on a stop watch, but now, are scoring milliseconds and striving for tenths of milliseconds. There is an ever increasing need for more accurate timing measurements for existing applications and as more accurate timing measurement techniques are developed, new applications are enabled that were not previously considered.
The present invention enables precise time coordination among multiple transmitters to enable coordination of antenna patterns and multiple transmitter coherent transmissions, thus potentially increasing range, resolution, positioning accuracy, data rate, and interference rejection.
The invention allows a network of radios to operate in time synchronization and provide precision timing information to associated applications. The timing information may be accurately corrected for propagation delay between the radios.
Antenna pattern control is very demanding, often requiring control to a fraction of a wavelength. With the present invention, multiple transmitters may be coordinated to transmit a signal to a given receiver so that the pulses and underlying waveform phase lines up at the given receiver. Alternatively, multiple receivers may be coordinated to receive a signal from a given transmitter or a given direction.
In one embodiment, the receivers and/or transmitters may operate in a different band from the band being used for timing transfer, such as for radio astronomy, or optical astronomy, or a different mode, such as infrared, optical, or acoustical.
With close timing networks can interleave data with finer precision on finer time scales, minimizing turn around time and dead air time. Networks may also utilize multiple transmitter beam forming to increase the range or data rate by transmitting the same signal, phase and time synchronous, from two or more transmitters to arrive phase and time synchronous at a receiver. Phase and time synchronous signals essentially add voltage rather than power, thus two transmitters with equal signals arrive at four times the power, which may double the range or achieve four times the data rate for a given signal to noise ratio.
In a further embodiment, networks may reduce or eliminate a signal acquisition process at the beginning of each packet. The network elements may remain in synchronous timing that requires no signal search and signal optimization process.
Precision timing enables distance measurement architectures involving the coordination of transmitters or receivers. Thus, multiple coordinated transmitters may send timing information to a receiver or multiple receivers may determine timing information from a transmitter without requiring two way communications to determine link delay to the single transmitter or receiver. The multiple transmitters or receivers may determine their geometry by surveying or by round trip timing.
Extended Timing Reference
In one embodiment, timing may be extended from an initial time reference through multiple hops while maintaining acceptable accuracy. For example, timing may be provided by GPS satellite having an initial time reference to a GPS receiver, where the timing accuracy is within plus or minus a few nanoseconds from the initial time reference. The timing at the GPS receiver may then be communicated among UWB radios having proximity to the GPS receiver, where the timing accuracy of the UWB radios is within plus or minus tens of picoseconds from the timing at the GPS receiver. Thus, a timing system having a first accuracy may be extended using a timing system having a second accuracy. As such, multiple hops among multiple UWB radios, where each hop contributes only tens of picoseconds of timing error, may be performed without significantly increasing the original GPS timing error, which is on the order of a few nanoseconds. Thus the UWB timing link, or network of links, may be an effective way to extend GPS timing to multiple locations about a GPS receiver, which could include locations inside a building, tunnel, or other locations where GPS signals could not be received. Further, where multiple users need differential accuracy, the UWB network may provide better differential accuracy than a second GPS receiver.
Further discussion about propagating timing error and techniques for assessing propagation error is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/103,438, filed Apr. 12, 2005, titled “Method and System for Extensible Position Location”, which is incorporated herein by reference. One skilled in the art will recognize that the propagation error techniques described in the patent application are readily adaptable to architectures intended to extend a timing reference in accordance with the present invention since the position error described is directly attributable to timing error.
When UWB is used to extend a GPS timing reference, widely distributed timing transfer architectures are possible. In
By establishing precision timing, a receiver may integrate a transmitted signal indefinitely. One of the limitations in integration of a UWB signal for detection is the frequency stability. A difference in frequency between the transmitter and receiver causes a shift in phase and loss of coherency. By locking systems in time over distance, coherency can be maintained, allowing coherent integration as long as the geometry is stable. Thus, security systems may be made more sensitive, networks and tags may achieve increased range.
Sporting Events—Timing and Distance
The present invention is capable of achieving combined timing transfer and distance measurement in one device. Thus a single system may determine the precise time a racer crosses the finish line, determining the timing of the positioning event. The system may further determine the time and position for one or more racers or game participants during the entire race or game. Thus, from start to finish, the time and position of each racer may be determined. In a game, such as a football game, precise time and position information may be collected throughout the game. The link may further include a player ID. Thus, player position data may be displayed to aid in determining which player is in each location. Such information may also be provided to subscribers, for example, wirelessly to a handheld device or through a wired or wireless internet connection. The information may be played back allowing coaches (or referees) to analyze game results. Thus, a single system provides timing, position, and data.
The system may further provide timing distribution for camera synchronization or other mechanical support functions. In an automobile race, a checkered flag indicates that participants are to maintain position and slow down for such events as an accident. A system in accordance with the present invention may provide timing, position, and flag status to car drivers and referees. Thus a checkered flag may be signaled by radio and the positions of drivers recorded precisely at that moment. Upon resuming the race, drivers could be given instructions in the form of a centering meter type display to position their car precisely relative to the checkered flag call. When all cars are within limits, a resume signal may be given. Thus, precision positioning and timing may change the way races and games are managed, analyzed and experienced by the fans.
In machine automation and robotics, precision timing and positioning may coordinate the flow of widely dispersed objects, such as traffic, or may precisely direct robotic vehicles in time and place.
In coordinating simulations, such as war games, or missile tests, or coordinating complex events such as movie sets with fast moving stunts, precision time and positioning can enable new capabilities and fine tune old ones.
In inventory control and asset management, asset tags can be increased in range and coverage by enabling longer integration of signals and precise scheduling of transmissions.
The functional elements described herein may be implemented in digital or analog circuits or a combination. A computer or processor may include associated function blocks and may be implemented using a programmable computer, digital logic, state machine, signal processor or digital controller technology. Transceiver function blocks shown separate from the processor may be implemented within a physical processor in a given implementation.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is, therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications that incorporate those features or those improvements which embody the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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|US8706392 *||7 mai 2009||22 avr. 2014||Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha||Distance detection device and collision determination device|
|US20120143486 *||7 mai 2009||7 juin 2012||Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha||Distance detection device and collision determination device|
|Classification aux États-Unis||375/149, 342/146, 342/104, 375/354, 342/125, 375/358, 342/109, 342/118|
|Classification coopérative||G01S2007/4082, G01S2007/4069, G01S2007/4065, G01S13/765, G01S13/0209, H04B1/7183, G06K7/10306, G01S7/4052|
|Classification européenne||G01S7/40R, G01S13/76D, H04B1/7183, G06K7/10A7A|
|6 mars 2008||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: TIME DOMAIN CORPORATION, ALABAMA
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|19 mars 2011||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: TDC ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC., ALABAMA
Effective date: 20101231
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|18 juin 2014||FPAY||Fee payment|
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