UCL Discovery

Abstract

A differential positioning technique is proposed that is capable of exploiting the many radio frequency (RF) signals that are transmitted using frequency division multiple access (FDMA). The technique is designed to operate on ‘signals of opportunity’ (signals that are designed for purposes other than navigation), and requires no knowledge of the modulation format or signal content. Example FDMA signals of opportunity include amplitude modulated (AM) broadcast signals, frequency modulated (FM) broadcast signals, and television signals. In principle, the system can operate simultaneously on these different types of signals, maximizing performance by exploiting heterogeneous signal qualities and using whatever signals are available at a particular location. As a result, the technology has the potential to provide positioning in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) deprived environments, such as in urban canyons, and deep indoors. The proposed positioning technique operates by bringing portions of a signal received at reference and user locations together and adaptively correlation testing them. The correlation-testing is used to jointly estimate the differential time offset (DTO) and the differential frequency offset (DFO). In order to improve accuracy the DTO measurements are Doppler-smoothed using the DFO measurements. The DTO measurements are used to calculate ranging measurements that are used to obtain a position. The concept is experimentally validated on AM broadcast signals in the medium frequency (MF) and low frequency (LF) bands. Preliminary results indicate that the system provides a position solution in difficult environments, such as indoors. It is expected that expanding the system to incorporate more signals will result in significant performance gains.

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