Transmitter Localization by Virtual Multipath Correlation

• Main Author: de Groot, Eric H.
• Other Authors: Bose, Tamal
• Language: en_US
• Published: The University of Arizona. 2015
• Subjects: Localization; Multipath; Radio; Tracking; Electrical & Computer Engineering; Geolocation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10150/595994

This thesis investigates a method of tracking remote transmitters using multipath localization fingerprints generated by a ray tracing simulation. Radio wave propagation phenomena in a dense urban environment can be simulated using publicly available mapping data and 2-D ray tracing techniques when the receivers and transmitters are found to be approximately co-planar. OpenStreetMap (OSM) building data is used to model the area of interest, and frequency of arrival (FOA) localization fingerprints are generated virtually along a grid. These fingerprints are then used to estimate the origin of incoming signals. Simulation of this method using three receivers and a 10 m square grid demonstrates a simulated localization accuracy within 15 m. Taking things a step closer to reality, an attempt to validate the ray tracing simulation is made. Validation is presented in the form of experimental results for a set of trials along with a statistical comparison to simulation results. A significant positive correlation between the experimental and simulation results is found and detailed. Finally, the tracking method described is applied to real collected signal data and the results discussed.