Determination of location & distance from transmitter 1

[Hookway9]

Hello

Is it possible to determine the distance to a transmitter, from receiver by analysing the wavelength of the signal received?

For example, this process used to determine the location of an airplane. However, is it possible to use the same principles to determine distance or location in a smaller range, say within a metre?

Are there any standard components or common applications that allow for this?

FYI, The application is for a animal/laboratory experiment to track the location of animals.

Thank you in advance for any help

 

[GregLocock]

OP- there are numerous ways of estimating the position of a location use radio transmitters and receivers, so if you write a spec we can probably rule some out, and suggest others.

As a general point, an accuracy/repeatability of 1mm in 2d or 3d over the length of 5m is not possible with non contacting methods with finite budgets. To get that we use Faro Arms, which would be no good for dynamic measurements.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[Comcokid]

A group of technologies using UWB (ultra wideband signals) called Micropower Impulse Radar (MIR) have been used for this kind of position sensing. Basically impulse RF transmitter and equivalent-time sampling receivers to create a time-of-flight position sensing system. But this is a group of technologies, patents, methodologies, demo circuits, and not final products licensed out of Lawerence Livermore National Labs 15 to 20 years ago.

 

[Hookway9]

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https://www.mysick.com/partnerPortal/ProductCatalo...

I've never been clear how Sick does it; I presume it's doing an FMCW approach.>

Thank you for this lead, FMCW appears to be very relevant.>

 

[Hookway9]

< Some of us may be concerned that your requirements push the limits of the state of the art, but your questions are relatively basic. >

No intention of pushing the state of the art, only to define the limits of standard process.

< write a spec>

Yes. I will, though for now:
Range: 800mm
Accuracy: 1mm
2 dimensions.

Many thanks to all for the detailed leads and help

 

[btrueblood]

Do you have clear overhead view of the animal enclosure? Why not optical tracking via one or more video cameras?

 

[Hookway9]

<Do you have clear overhead view of the animal enclosure? Why not optical tracking via one or more video cameras?>

Yes, a very simple practical approach - thank you!