Radiolocation using AM broadcast signals

(cont.) Previous attempts at signal-of-opportunity navigation using carrier phase sidestepped the ambiguity problem by requiring that the initial position of the rover be known and that phase variations be tracked without interruption. I designed and implemented an ambiguity-function method that enables the phase ambiguity to be resolved instantaneously without position initialization or signal-tracking continuity. I encountered several impediments to AM-broadcast-based radiolocation that, if not dealt with appropriately, reduce positioning accuracy, reduce ambiguity-resolution robustness, or both. AM transmitter position uncertainty directly causes receiver position-determination uncertainty. Since the error in published antenna positions sometimes exceeds 100 meters, I conducted sub-meter-accuracy geodetic surveys of 29 Boston-area AM-broadcast antennas. The directional radiation patterns of the array antennas of many AM broadcast radio stations have phases that vary with azimuth angle. I developed and implemented a model for the phase of a directional antenna that nearly eliminated theerrors caused by this effect. AM broadcast signals travel primarily as groundwaves, which propagate with phase velocities that depend on the electrical properties of the ground. Using simulations and empirical data, I designed and implemented a model for groundwave propagation that greatly reduced the errors caused by this effect over a broad geographic area ...

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Hall, Timothy Douglas, 1970-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Charles C. Counselman, III.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/16898

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/16898