System And Method For Calibrating A Transmitting Unit, And Watercraft Comprising A System For Calibrating A Transmitting Unit

Abstract

A system for calibrating a transmitting unit includes an arrangement of at least four transmitting units. A first transmitting unit has stored position data with respect to a setpoint position of the first transmitting unit. The first transmitting unit is designed to emit a first transmission signal to each of the three remaining transmitting units, each of which is designed to receive the first transmission signal and, thereafter, to return a first response signal to the first transmitting unit. The first transmitting unit is designed to determine its relative position data with respect to the three remaining transmitting units on the basis of the first response signals returned and to detect a deviation between the stored position data and the relative position data determined and to carry out a calibration of a transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit on the basis of the detected deviation.

Claims

1. A system for calibrating a transmitting unit, the system comprising: an arrangement of at least four transmitting units, wherein a first transmitting unit of the at least four transmitting units has stored position data with respect to a setpoint position of the first transmitting unit, wherein the first transmitting unit is configured to emit a first transmission signal to each of the three remaining transmitting units, wherein each of the three remaining transmitting units is configured to receive the first transmission signal and, after receiving the first transmission signal, to return a first response signal to the first transmitting unit, wherein the first transmitting unit is configured to determine relative position data of the first transmitting unit with respect to the three remaining transmitting units on the basis of the first response signals returned, and wherein the first transmitting unit is configured to detect a deviation between the stored position data and the relative position data determined and to carry out a calibration of a transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit on the basis of the detected deviation.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting unit is configured to determine the relative position data of the first transmitting unit with respect to the three remaining transmitting units on the basis of a propagation time measurement of the first transmission signal and of the first response signals.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a second transmitting unit of the at least four transmitting units is configured to emit a second transmission signal to the first transmitting unit, wherein the first transmitting unit is configured to receive the second transmission signal and, after receiving the second transmission signal, to return a second response signal to the second transmitting unit, and wherein the second transmitting unit is configured to check the calibration of the transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit on the basis of the second response signal.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the second transmitting unit has stored position data with respect to a position of the second transmitting unit, and wherein the calibration of the transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit is effected on the basis of a comparison of the propagation time of the second transmission signal and of the second response signal with the stored position data with respect to the position of the second transmitting unit.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal are in each case radar signals, and/or wherein the first response signal and the second response signal are in each case radar signals.

6. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal are in each case radar signals, and/or wherein the first response signal and the second response signal are in each case radar signals.

7. The system according to claim 3, wherein the first transmission signal and the second transmission signal are in each case beacon signals in the form of radio signals, and wherein the first response signals and the second response signals are in each beacon signals in the form of radio signals.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first transmitting unit is configured to ascertain a malfunction of the system if a first response signal of at least one of the three remaining transmitting units fails to appear.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the calibration of the first transmitting unit comprises a setting of a time parameter and/or of a frequency parameter of the first transmitting unit.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein each transmitting unit of the arrangement of at least four transmitting units is configured to receive a radar signal of an object that is moving relative to the arrangement and as a consequence to emit a response signal to the moving object, such that a relative position of the moving object with respect to the arrangement of at least four transmitting units is determinable.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement comprises a total of eight transmitting units, at least six transmitting units of which are arranged substantially in one plane.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein two transmitting units of the total of eight transmitting units are arranged at a distance from the plane.

13. A watercraft comprising a system according to claim 1.

14. The watercraft according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement of at least four transmitting units delimits a landing region for an aircraft.

15. A method for calibrating a transmitting unit, the method comprising: arranging at least four transmitting units in an installation environment; storing position data with respect to a setpoint position of a first transmitting unit of the at least four transmitting units; emitting a first transmission signal to each of the three remaining transmitting units; receiving the emitted first transmission signal by each of the three remaining transmitting units and subsequently returning a first response signal to the first transmitting unit by each of the three remaining transmitting units; determining relative position data of the first transmitting unit with respect to the three remaining transmitting units on the basis of the first response signals returned; and detecting a deviation between the stored position data and the relative position data determined and carrying out a calibration of a transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit on the basis of the detected deviation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] FIG. 1A shows an arrangement of at least four transmitting units in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0059] FIG. 1B shows transmitting units each comprising a control unit and a memory unit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a watercraft comprising an arrangement of eight transmitting units in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a watercraft comprising an arrangement of eight transmitting units in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram for a method for calibrating a transmitting unit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0064] If the same reference signs are used in different figures in the following description of the figures, and they denote identical or similar elements. However, identical or similar elements may also be designated by different reference signs.

[0065] FIG. 1A shows a system 10 for calibrating a first transmitting unit 1 within an arrangement 20 of transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4. The arrangement can be arranged on a stationary or moving platform, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1. A first transmitting unit 1 of the at least four transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4 is designed to emit a first transmission signal 11 to each of the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4. Each of the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 is designed to receive the first transmission signal 11 and, after receiving the first transmission signal 11, to return a first response signal 12 to the first transmitting unit 1.

[0066] The first transmitting unit 1 is designed to determine relative position data 41 of the first transmitting unit 1 with respect to the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 on the basis of the first response signals 12 returned, wherein the relative position data 41 are determined by the control unit 40 of the first transmitting unit 1, said control unit being illustrated in FIG. 1B. The relative position data 41 are determined from a propagation time measurement of the first transmission signal 11 from the first transmitting unit 1 to the respective remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 and also a propagation time measurement of the first response signals 12 from the remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 to the first transmitting unit 1. By way of example, the propagation time of the first transmission signal 11 from the first transmitting unit 1 to the second transmitting unit 2 and the propagation time of the response signal 12 from the second transmitting unit 2 back to the first transmitting unit 1 are measured and added. A distance between the first transmitting unit 1 and the second transmitting unit 2 can thus be calculated from the propagation time measurements, taking into account the known propagation velocities of the signals.

[0067] The first transmitting unit 1 furthermore has stored position data 31 with respect to a setpoint position 1a of the first transmitting unit 1. The setpoint position 1a is illustrated in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B shows that the stored position data 31 with respect to the setpoint position 1a are stored or preprogrammed in a memory unit 30 of the first transmitting unit 1. The relative position data 41 of the first transmitting unit 1 with respect to the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 are determined by means of the control unit 40 or the processor unit 40 of the first transmitting unit 1.

[0068] The first transmitting unit 1, in particular the control unit 40 of the first transmitting unit 1, compares the stored position data 31 with respect to the setpoint position la with the relative position data 41 determined. The first transmitting unit 1 or the control unit 40 detects a deviation d between the stored position data 31 and the relative position data 41 determined. On the basis of the detected deviation d, a calibration of a transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit 1 is then carried out by the first transmitting unit 1. The calibration, too, can be carried out by the control unit 40 of the first transmitting unit 1.

[0069] FIG. 1B shows the second transmitting unit 2, which comprises a memory unit 50 having stored position data 51 with respect to a position, for example a setpoint position 2a and/or an actual position of the second transmitting unit 2. The second transmitting unit 2 furthermore comprises a control unit 60, which is designed to determine relative position data 61 of the second transmitting unit 2 with respect to the first transmitting unit 1, for example from a propagation time measurement of a second transmission signal 13 emitted by the second transmitting unit 2 and of a second response signal 14 returned by the first transmitting unit 1. The calibration of the transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit 1 can thus be carried out on the basis of a comparison of the propagation time of the second transmission signal 13 and of the second response signal 14 with the stored position data 51 with respect to the position of the second transmitting unit 2.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a watercraft 100 comprising a system 10 for calibrating a transmitting unit 1. The watercraft 100 can be a ship, in particular an aircraft carrier. To that end, the watercraft 100 can comprise a landing area or a landing region 111 for the aircraft, which is not illustrated in FIG. 2. The system 10 comprises an arrangement 20 of eight transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, six transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of which are arranged in one plane 110, wherein the plane 110 forms the landing area and the six transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 located in the plane 110 delimit the landing region 111 for the aircraft.

[0071] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the watercraft 100 from FIG. 2. FIG. 3 clearly reveals that the transmitting units 7 and 8 are not arranged in the plane 110, but rather are at a distance therefrom. In contrast thereto, the six transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are located in the plane 110. If the system 10 or the arrangement 20 is ready for use, that is to say that the transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are all set, coordinated with one another and calibrated, all the transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 can be used as navigation means for navigating the aircraft 200 by virtue of the fact that transmission signals 15 are emitted by the aircraft to the transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and the transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, after receiving the transmission signals 15, each return a response signal 16 to the aircraft 200, and a relative position determination and/or orientation determination for the aircraft 200 with respect to the watercraft 100 and thus the arrangement 20 are/is subsequently determined on the basis of a propagation time measurement of the transmission signals 15 and the response signals 16. Safe landing of the aircraft 200 on the watercraft 100 can thus be ensured. The arrangement 20 of the transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 can be arbitrary in this case. FIGS. 2 and 3 show merely an example of such an arrangement 20.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram for a method for calibrating a transmitting unit 1. One step S1 of the method involves arranging at least four transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4 in an installation environment. A further step S2 involves storing position data 31 with respect to a setpoint position 1a of a first transmitting unit 1 of the at least four transmitting units 1, 2, 3, 4. A further step S3 involves emitting a first transmission signal 11 to each of the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4. A further step S4 involves receiving the emitted first transmission signal 11 by means of each of the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 and subsequently returning a first response signal 12 to the first transmitting unit 1 by means of each of the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4. A further step S5 involves determining relative position data 41 of the first transmitting unit 1 with respect to the three remaining transmitting units 2, 3, 4 on the basis of the first response signals 12 returned. Furthermore, a further step S6 involves detecting a deviation d between the stored position data 31 and the relative position data 41 determined and carrying out a calibration of a transmission parameter of the first transmitting unit 1 on the basis of the detection deviation d.

[0073] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.