J
Jon Slaughter
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
I'm thinking about starting a project which is essentially based on
determining distances(and derivations from that) using triangulation on to
fixed and one variable source. I would put a signal generator on the
variable source and determine its distance using triangulation by
calculating the time it takes for the signal to arrive at the fixed
locations and once I know the distances I can recover the speed and do all
the things that makes the project interesting.
I assume the method I'm using is pretty much the standard in doing this
sorta thing. The issue I'm having is that I do not know anything practical
about it. Before I even think about starting this project I need to know
how hard it would be to create(or buy) a device that emits a signal that the
other two devices can use to determine the distances.
Here are some specs: The distances used are at most a mile but in actuality
will probably be a few hundred meters. The devices will be used
intermittently with about 1-4 mins continuous use. It needs to be as
accurate as possible but not excessively so(I'd like to get millimeter
resoluion but centimeter's would be ok or maybe even inches). The device
needs to be as small as possible except for the antenna which could be
several inches as long as it is not to large and does not weigh to much.
Ofcourse cost is a factor but for such a simple device I would imagine the
main factors involved in cost are minaturization. The device would need to
emit a signal between 10 and 1000hz but I believe that it would need to
actually work in a much higher frequency range(ghz) to be practical.
I think thats about the main things. The other parts of the project mainly
have similar limitations except size is not as a huge issue.
Basically what I want is something like the transmitter of a cell phone that
sends a periodic wave of a few hz that can be picked up about 500-1000
meters away by a device which can then use it to determine the distance of
that device away from the reciever. Ofcourse I'll have two of these devices
and they will do the same with each other to get the position(2D as I know
altitude of the transmitter).
Ofcourse using this method will require that the speed of the
electromagnetic wave be constant or approximately. There will be direct line
of sight from all the devices except for possible momentary
interruptions(sign in the way, etc...).
Just looking for some feedback. Hopefully I gave all the necessary
information.
Thanks,
Jon
determining distances(and derivations from that) using triangulation on to
fixed and one variable source. I would put a signal generator on the
variable source and determine its distance using triangulation by
calculating the time it takes for the signal to arrive at the fixed
locations and once I know the distances I can recover the speed and do all
the things that makes the project interesting.
I assume the method I'm using is pretty much the standard in doing this
sorta thing. The issue I'm having is that I do not know anything practical
about it. Before I even think about starting this project I need to know
how hard it would be to create(or buy) a device that emits a signal that the
other two devices can use to determine the distances.
Here are some specs: The distances used are at most a mile but in actuality
will probably be a few hundred meters. The devices will be used
intermittently with about 1-4 mins continuous use. It needs to be as
accurate as possible but not excessively so(I'd like to get millimeter
resoluion but centimeter's would be ok or maybe even inches). The device
needs to be as small as possible except for the antenna which could be
several inches as long as it is not to large and does not weigh to much.
Ofcourse cost is a factor but for such a simple device I would imagine the
main factors involved in cost are minaturization. The device would need to
emit a signal between 10 and 1000hz but I believe that it would need to
actually work in a much higher frequency range(ghz) to be practical.
I think thats about the main things. The other parts of the project mainly
have similar limitations except size is not as a huge issue.
Basically what I want is something like the transmitter of a cell phone that
sends a periodic wave of a few hz that can be picked up about 500-1000
meters away by a device which can then use it to determine the distance of
that device away from the reciever. Ofcourse I'll have two of these devices
and they will do the same with each other to get the position(2D as I know
altitude of the transmitter).
Ofcourse using this method will require that the speed of the
electromagnetic wave be constant or approximately. There will be direct line
of sight from all the devices except for possible momentary
interruptions(sign in the way, etc...).
Just looking for some feedback. Hopefully I gave all the necessary
information.
Thanks,
Jon