ContactSCP System Architecture
SCP generalizes RF based positioning and timing by extracting ranging information based on the physical properties of signals rather than processing modulated data contained within the signal transmissions. An SCP based system is comprised of three elements:
- Signals of Opportunity – freely existing signals including GPS, DTV, and Cellular.
- SCP Sensor – a device implementing the spectral compression positioning method.
- Location Server – optional network service providing signal source almanac and location calculation services.
SCP Sensor technology exploits existing signals of opportunity to derive meter-level accuracy location information both indoors and outdoors. The SCP technology is composed of embedded sensor software and optional network infrastructure including location server and monitoring stations. Deployment of network infrastructure components is optional and depends upon application and performance requirements.
Multiple signal sources with different types of signals are intercepted by an SCP based sensor, which extracts phase ranging observables (about 300 bytes per locate). These data can be processed locally by the sensor for autonomous positioning or, optionally, sent to a Location Server for a network assisted solution. Position processing determines the sensor’s current position, velocity, and time.
Location Servers aid the positioning process by managing a catalog of signal sources call an Almanac. An almanac can accelerate signal acquisition and improve performance by providing real-time corrections and other data needed to properly interpret SCP observations. Almanac data may be externally provided or internally generated as needed. In autonomous applications, the SCP sensor manages its own almanac information.
View animation, Positioning with Signals of Opportunity...