Remote object position and orientation locator
US4346384A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1980 |
| Grant date | Aug 24, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S3/14
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for determining the position and orientation of a remote object relative to a reference coordinate frame is disclosed. A plurality of radiating means having orthogonal components are centered about the origin of the reference coordinate frame. Means are provided for applying to the radiating means electrical signals which generate a plurality of electromagnetic fields. The electromagnetic fields are multiplexed and thus are distinguishable from one another. A plurality of receiving means are disposed on the remote object, the receiving means having orthogonal components for detecting and measuring components of the electromagnetic fields. The radiating means and receiving means are separated by a distance sufficiently large to insure that the far-field components of the electromagnetic fields are substantially greater in magnitude than the near-field components of the electro-magnetic fields. Analyzing means is provided for converting in a non-iterative manner the received components of the electromagnetic fields into remote object position and orientation relative to the reference coordinate frame with at most one ambiguous combinations of orientation and position. The p…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.