KR20090038657A - Apparatus for identifying position in position measuring system and method for measuring position using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A location identification apparatus for effectively searching the exact location of a mobbing body in a global positioning system and a measuring position method using the same are provided to improve the accuracy of location measurement by operating one antenna having an optimum reception state. A plurality of antenna receives the reference signal. A direction measurement unit(410) measures one of direction angle and slope. The direction of the location identification apparatus is obtained. A selecting antenna unit(430) selects one antenna among antennas based on the direction of the obtained location identification apparatus. The selecting antenna unit includes a mapping table(440). A signal selection unit(460) receives the said reference signal by operating the selected antenna.

Description

Position identification device in position measuring system and method for measuring position using same {APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING POSITION IN POSITION MEASURING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING POSITION USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a position identification apparatus in a position measuring system and a position measuring method using the same. More specifically, one antenna having a reception state optimal among a plurality of antennas installed in a position identification apparatus such as a position tag mounted on a moving object. The present invention relates to a position identification device and a position measuring method using the same, which efficiently selects and receives the most suitable signal therefrom and effectively searches for the exact position of the moving object.

Conventional methods for measuring the position of a mobile body have been proposed in various ways, such as using GPS satellites and a mobile communication network. Particularly, a method for measuring the position of a mobile body using short-range wireless communication has been disclosed.

Typically, short-range location communication systems such as ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ultra-wideband (UWB) are composed of a reference node and a location identification device such as a general mobile node or a location tag. Each reference node is arranged in a plurality of regions on the network, and in particular, the propagation areas of signals broadcast from the respective reference nodes may be arranged to overlap each other. Each reference node knows its location and broadcasts a radio beacon containing its location information. Accordingly, each mobile node collects all beacon signals broadcasted from neighboring reference nodes covering the mobile nodes, and uses the collected beacon signals to know the location information of neighboring reference nodes. The position of is measured.

On the other hand, in such a local area network, the technology of identifying the moving object and the location information of the moving object is utilized in various fields. A typical example is RFID technology, which is a recognition technology that can manage information of various objects such as people, food, animals, and objects through IC chip and wireless communication. This RFID plus location information corresponds to a location identification device such as a location tag. That is, the location tag informs the computer of the location of a predetermined subject or object in the network, or the location tag itself uses the location information of its own to perform a task.

1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional position measurement system for measuring the position of a moving object using a position tag with a single antenna.

As shown in FIG. 1, one of the conventional methods for measuring the position of a moving object using a location tag includes a single antenna 120 in the location tag 110 and uses a single antenna 120. The reference signal is received from the plurality of reference nodes (1, 2, ..., n), and the position of the location tag is measured based on the received reference signal. However, according to the conventional position measuring method described above, as shown in Figure 1, the position tag 110 is a reference node (1, 2, ..., in accordance with the position change of the moving object is mounted on the position tag 110). The direction angle of receiving the reference signal from n) varies, and in some cases, the slope of receiving the reference signal also changes.

That is, even though the position tag having the same characteristic is mounted, the directing direction of the antenna 120 mounted in the position tag 110 is changed according to the change of the moving object, so that the antenna 120 is connected to the reference nodes 1, 2,... , the reception rate for receiving the reference signal from n) is also changed. Therefore, if the position tag 110 is in position A, even if the antenna 120 receiving the signal transmitted from the reference nodes (1, 2, ..., n) is directed in an appropriate direction so that the reception rate is good, the position tag 110 is good. Is at position B, the direction of orientation of antenna 120 may be changed to significantly reduce reception.

Hereinafter, the directivity characteristic according to the direction of the antenna will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a characteristic diagram according to the direction of the dipole antenna.

Antennas vary depending on the type, but generally have directivity, and the reception rate should be increased according to their characteristics. Dipole antennas, the most common type of antenna, resonate at frequencies with twice the length of the rod. As shown in FIG. 2, when the dipole antenna 210 is erected vertically, the donut shape 220 closed with a hole is formed in three-dimensional orientation. Accordingly, when the reference is made based on the horizontal plane (x-y plane), the circular directivity characteristic 230 is obtained, and when the measurement is performed based on the vertical plane (x-z or y-z plane), the directivity characteristic 240 has an infinite symbol shape.

As a result, if the antenna installed in the location tag attached to the moving object is vertically positioned like the dipole antenna 210 shown in Fig. 2, the directivity is circular 230 so that the transmission signal of the reference node in all directions can be evenly distributed. On the contrary, if the antenna is laid down in the horizontal direction, the directivity becomes infinity (∞) shape 240 and the reception rate is lower than that of the circular shape.

As such, the position tag has an unacceptable reception rate according to the direction angle or inclination, and the difference in the reception intensity causes an error in the position measurement.

Next, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional position measuring system for measuring the position of a moving object using a position tag having a plurality of antennas.

Referring to FIG. 3, a position is measured through a location tag 310 having a plurality of antennas 320 (321, 322, 323, and 324) having various direction angles. In detail, a plurality of antennas 320 having various angles of direction are installed in one location tag 310, and reference nodes 1, 2,.. N are each formed by using each of the plurality of antennas 320. The reference signal transmitted from the antenna is received and the reference signal of the antenna having the highest signal strength among the received reference signals is used for position measurement.

In detail, a method of selecting an antenna having the highest intensity may be performed by the RF receiver 340 from the reference nodes 1, 2,... N through each of the plurality of antennas 320 (321, 322, 323, and 324). The reference signal is sequentially received, an antenna having the highest intensity of the received signal is selected, and a control signal (selection signal) corresponding thereto is transmitted to the signal selector 330. Thereafter, the signal selector 330 receives the radio signal from the selected antenna and transmits the radio signal to the RF receiver 340.

However, according to the above-described method, there is an advantage in that a signal can be received from an antenna having an optimal reception rate, but in order to select an antenna having a good reception rate, all the antennas 320 (321; 322, 323, and 324) are sequentially The reception strength should be measured separately by operating with. As a result, the frequency of communication for antenna selection increases and battery consumption of the location tag increases, and it takes time in the process of obtaining a plurality of sample signals, and thus it is impossible to measure the location of the location tag in real time.

In addition, even when adopting a method of operating a plurality of antennas in a sequential order at the same time to measure the position of the location tag in real time, this also consumes a lot of battery, and also the frequency overlap or interference due to the reception of a plurality of antennas are induced There is also a problem that frequency hybridization and frequency distortion may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In the position measurement system, a multi-antenna is installed in a position identification device, the direction angle and the inclination of the position tag are measured, and the position of the moving object is selected by selecting one antenna from the plurality of antennas. The purpose is to be able to check in real time.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a position identification device and a method of using the same that can be measured quickly and accurately, but does not receive from the unnecessary antenna, the power consumption is low in antenna selection.

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a position identification device mounted on a moving object in a position measuring system and collecting a reference signal for measuring the position of the moving object from a reference node includes a plurality of antennas for receiving the reference signal, and the position. Direction measuring means for obtaining a direction of the identification device, antenna selection means for selecting one antenna among the plurality of antennas based on the obtained direction of the position identification device, and operating the selected one antenna to receive the reference signal; And receiving signal selection means.

Preferably, the plurality of antennas are arranged with different direction angles or inclinations, respectively.

Further, preferably, the direction measuring means obtains the direction of the position identification device by measuring any one of the direction angle, the slope, or the direction angle and the slope of the position identification device.

Preferably, the antenna selecting means further comprises a mapping table in which one antenna corresponding to a specific direction angle, a specific inclination, or a specific direction angle and the inclination of the position identification device is mapped. One antenna corresponding to the direction of the location identifying apparatus obtained using the mapping table is selected.

Preferably, the one antenna is the antenna having the highest reception rate of the reference signal in response to a specific range of direction angles, a specific range of tilts, or a specific range of direction angles and tilts.

In another method, a position measuring method for receiving a reference signal transmitted from a reference node in a position identifying device mounted on a moving object and measuring a position of the moving object includes: a direction obtaining step of obtaining a direction of the position identifying device; An antenna selection step of selecting one antenna from among a plurality of antennas mounted on the location identification device based on the obtained direction of the position identification device, and a signal selection step of receiving the reference signal by operating the selected one antenna It includes.

Preferably, the plurality of antennas are arranged with different direction angles or inclinations, respectively.

In addition, preferably, the direction obtaining step obtains the direction of the position identification device by measuring any one of a direction angle, an inclination, or a direction angle and an inclination of the position identification device.

Preferably, the antenna identification device further includes a mapping table in which one antenna corresponding to a specific direction angle, a specific tilt, or a specific direction angle and the tilt of the position identification device is mapped. One antenna corresponding to the direction of the location identifying apparatus obtained using the mapping table is selected.

Preferably, the one antenna is the antenna having the highest reception rate of the reference signal in response to a specific range of direction angles, a specific range of tilts, or a specific range of direction angles and tilts.

According to the present invention, by obtaining the direction angle and the inclination of the position identification device which changes from time to time in the positioning system, one antenna having an optimal reception state is selected and operated from a plurality of antennas installed in the position identification device. Accuracy is improved.

In addition, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional position identification apparatus that needs to sample a plurality of signals, since only one signal received from one selected antenna is sampled to process data, more sampling is possible at the same time, thereby enabling faster sampling. Position measurement is possible.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and accurately measure the position, but by operating only one selected antenna to receive a radio signal, it is possible to reduce the battery consumption of the location identification device by not receiving from the unnecessary antenna.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a specific embodiment of the present invention, which is only an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the position identification device in the position measurement system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the location tag 400 includes a sensor unit 410 for measuring a direction angle and an inclination of the location tag 400, and an AD converter for converting a signal obtained from the sensor unit 410 from analog to digital. 420, a mapping table 440 including information corresponding to an antenna having the best reception rate with respect to a specific direction angle and inclination of the location tag 400, and a plurality of antennas 451 having various direction angles and inclinations, respectively. Among the plurality of antennas 451, 452, 453 and 454, the azimuth and inclination data input from the antenna unit 450 and the AD conversion unit 420 in which the 452, 453 and 454 are arranged are compared with the mapping table 440. In the data processor 430 for selecting an optimal antenna corresponding to the measured azimuth and tilt, the signal selector 460 and the signal selector 460 for causing the antenna selected by the data processor 430 to receive a radio signal. RF receiving the selected radio signal Including a priest (470). In addition, the data processor 430 processes the radio signal received by the RF receiver 470 to obtain the location of the location tag.

Specifically, the sensor unit 410 continuously measures the direction angle and inclination of the location tag according to the movement of the location tag 400. The sensor unit 410 is a sensor capable of measuring the direction angle and the inclination, the direction angle can be measured using the magnetic field of the earth, the inclination can be measured using the difference with the direction of gravity of the earth. From the measured azimuth and inclination of the location tag 400, the direction angle and the inclination between the reference node and the location tag 400 can be known. The sensor unit 410 preferably has a relatively low power consumption or can be measured with no power.

Next, since the measured direction angle and the slope are analog signals, they are converted into digital signals by the A-D converter 420 and then transmitted to the data processor 430.

Thereafter, the data processor 430 reads data including the specific direction angle and the slope and information of the antenna corresponding thereto from the mapping table 440, and optimally adjusts the direction angle and the slope measured by the sensor unit 410. After selecting the corresponding antenna, the signal selector 460 receives the radio signal from the reference node only through the selected antenna.

Specifically, the mapping table 440 is a table that pre-selects and corresponds to an antenna that can best receive a signal transmitted from a reference node when the location tag 400 has a specific direction angle and slope. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of selecting an antenna having an optimal reception rate according to a specific direction angle and inclination is described in FIG. 2. The pattern 230 closest to the circle may be selected. Meanwhile, when preparing the mapping table 440, the range of the direction angle and the slope may be appropriately determined according to the number of antennas corresponding thereto, and the range of the direction angle and the slope does not necessarily need to be divided evenly. An embodiment of the above-described mapping table 440 is as follows.

Direction angle inclination Optimal antenna 0 degrees to 90 degrees 0 degrees Antenna (451) 90 degrees to 180 degrees 45 degrees Antenna (452) 180 degrees-270 degrees 60 degrees Antenna (453) 270 degrees-360 degrees 90 degrees Antenna (454)

As described above, the location tag 400 according to the present invention first selects an antenna having an optimal reception rate using the mapping table 440, and then receives a radio signal from the reference node only through the selected antenna. As such, the location tag 400 according to the present invention does not receive a radio signal from the reference node through all of the plurality of antennas 452, 452, 453, and 454 installed in the location tag 400. Using only 440, the antenna is best corresponding to the direction angle and the inclination of the location tag 400 and selects only one antenna having the highest reception rate, and then receives a radio signal through only one selected antenna. Accordingly, the position tag according to the present invention does not receive from unnecessary antennas unlike the conventional technique of having a plurality of antennas in the position tag to receive radio signals by sequentially or simultaneously operating all antennas, thereby operating an antenna. Can significantly reduce battery consumption.

Next, each antenna 451, 452, 453, 454 of the antenna unit 450 arranges an appropriate number of antennas with different direction angles and inclinations depending on the environment in which the location tag 400 is used. If the position tag mainly moves horizontally, the antennas should be arranged around the direction angle rather than the tilt. On the contrary, if the position tag moves only vertically, the antennas should be arranged with emphasis on the tilt. Similarly, in the position tag which moves only in one of the horizontal or vertical directions, only the direction angle sensor or the tilt sensor may be provided.

Next, the data processor 430 transmits a control signal (selection signal) to the signal selector 460 for causing the selected antenna to receive a radio signal from the reference node through the location tag mapping table 440. The signal selector 460 receives a signal from one antenna selected using the control signal and transmits the received signal to the RF receiver 470.

As described above, according to the present invention, all of the plurality of antennas 452, 452, 453, and 454 are not operated, and only one antenna having the best reception rate is operated to receive the radio signal. Therefore, unlike the conventional position identification apparatus which needs to sample a plurality of signals, since only one signal is sampled and the data is processed, more sampling is possible at the same time, thereby enabling position measurement more quickly.

Finally, the data processing unit 430 processes the radio signal to determine the position of the position tag 400, that is, the position of the moving object to determine the position, and in the system using the position tag 400 using the determined position information Perform the work you need. In addition, the data processor 430 may combine only data for position measurement and process the actual position information may be performed by another computer that receives data from the position tag 400 instead of the position tag 400. In addition, the above-described data processing method may be performed by adopting various known techniques, and thus, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

 Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a position measuring method in the position measuring system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, step S510 of measuring the direction angle and the slope of the position tag in real time according to the movement of the position tag, comparison step S520 of comparing the direction angle and the slope and the mapping table of the measured position tag, step A signal selection step (S530) of selecting a radio signal from one of the plurality of antennas based on the result of S520, a step of receiving a radio signal selected in step S530 (S540), obtaining position information from the received RF signal Processing for the data is made (S550).

Hereinafter, the position measuring method in the position measuring system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

The method begins by measuring the direction angle and the tilt at the direction angle sensor and the tilt sensor (step S510). The direction angle sensor and the tilt sensor are sensors which are separate from the antenna for receiving the radio signal, and measure the direction angle and the slope continuously according to the movement of the position tag. If the location tag only moves in one direction, you can use either the direction angle sensor or the tilt sensor.

In the next step S520, the obtained direction angle and the slope are compared with the mapping table. That is, one antenna among a plurality of antennas installed in the location tag is selected by comparing the measured direction angle and the slope with the mapping table. As described above, since one antenna corresponding to a specific direction angle and inclination is predetermined in the mapping table, according to the present invention, a separate complicated operation for selecting an optimal antenna based on the measured direction angle and inclination, etc. You do not need this. Therefore, it is possible to select the optimal antenna quickly, in real time. This is different from selecting a single antenna after operating all the antennas in a location tag with a conventional multiple antenna, and it is possible not only to select an antenna quickly before operating the multiple antennas, but also to avoid unnecessary antenna operation. Reduce consumption

Next, in step S530, one antenna selected through the comparison in step S520 receives a radio signal. This step is a step of sending only a radio signal coming in through one of the antenna selected from the plurality of antennas to the next step (S540). Meanwhile, in the conventional location tag having a plurality of antennas, all radio signals received from the plurality of antennas have to be sampled. However, according to the position measuring method of the present invention, since only the radio signals received from one antenna are sampled, the location tag has more antennas at the same time. Sampling is possible for quick location identification.

Thereafter, a step S540 of receiving a radio signal (RF signal) is performed at the antenna selected in step S530. Since the signal is received from the most optimal antenna, the best reception rate can be maintained at any position.

Finally, in step S550, the position of the location tag is measured using the radio signal received in step S540. In addition, in the data processing step (S550), only combining data for position measurement and processing the actual position information may be performed by another computer that receives data from the position tag instead of the position tag.

The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention, but this is only illustrative and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, those skilled in the art can appropriately modify or change the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, it can be applied to most positioning systems using ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ultra-wideband (UWB), and other wireless applications using multi-antennas.

Meanwhile, each functional block described in the present specification may be implemented by various known elements such as an electronic circuit, an integrated circuit, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and may be implemented separately, or two or more may be integrated into one. have. Components such as means described as separate in the specification and claims may be simply functionally distinct and may be physically implemented as one means, and components such as means described as a single element may be It can be made in combination. In addition, each method step described herein may be changed in order without departing from the scope of the present invention, and other steps may be added. In addition, the embodiments described herein may be implemented independently as well as independently combined. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be defined not by the embodiments described, but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional position measurement system for measuring the position of a moving object using a position tag with a single antenna;

2 is a characteristic diagram according to the direction of the dipole antenna.

3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional position measurement system for measuring the position of a moving object using a position tag with a plurality of antennas.

4 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a position identification device in a position measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a positioning method in a positioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

In the position identifying device mounted on the moving object in the position measuring system to collect a reference signal for measuring the position of the moving object from the reference node, A plurality of antennas for receiving the reference signal; Direction measuring means for obtaining a direction of the position identification device; Antenna selecting means for selecting one antenna from the plurality of antennas based on the obtained direction of the position identifying device; And And signal selection means for operating the selected one antenna to receive the reference signal. The method of claim 1, And the plurality of antennas are arranged with different direction angles or inclinations, respectively. The method of claim 2, And the direction measuring means obtains the direction of the position identification device by measuring any one of a direction angle, an inclination, or a direction angle and an inclination of the position identification device. The method of claim 1, wherein The antenna selecting means further includes a mapping table in which one antenna corresponding to a specific direction angle, a specific tilt, or a specific direction angle and the tilt of the position identification device is mapped. And the antenna selecting means selects one antenna corresponding to the direction of the position identifying device obtained by using the mapping table. The method of claim 4, wherein Wherein the one antenna is an antenna having the highest reception rate of the reference signal in response to a specific range of direction angles, a specific range of inclinations, or a specific range of direction angles and inclinations. In the position measuring method for receiving the reference signal transmitted from the reference node in the position identification device mounted on the moving object to measure the position of the moving object, A direction obtaining step of obtaining a direction of the position identification device; An antenna selecting step of selecting one antenna among a plurality of antennas mounted on the position identification device based on the obtained direction of the position identification device; And And a signal selection step of receiving the reference signal by operating the selected one antenna. The method of claim 6, And the plurality of antennas are arranged with different direction angles or inclinations, respectively. The method of claim 7, wherein The direction obtaining step is a position measuring method for obtaining the direction of the position identification device by measuring any one of the direction angle, the inclination, or the direction angle and the inclination of the position identification device. The method according to claim 6, wherein The antenna identification device further includes a mapping table in which one antenna corresponding to a specific direction angle, a specific slope, or a specific direction angle and the slope of the position identification device is mapped. The antenna selecting step selects one antenna corresponding to the direction of the position identification device obtained by using the mapping table. The method of claim 9, Wherein the one antenna is the antenna having the highest reception rate of the reference signal in response to a specific range of direction angles, a specific range of tilts, or a specific range of direction angles and tilts.

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