How the Hexamite Positioning Devices can be used to form a multipoint multidimensional positioning system.
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The
Multipoint Multidimensional System
The illustration on the right shows a 6 point system, consisting of 6 Hexamite Positioning Devices. There is no fixed limit for the size of the system in terms of points. Point 1, 2, 3 and 4 are shown as fixed points in the corner of the enclosed area on the right, 5 and 6 may be thought of as moving points. Or points 5 and 6 can be stationary and the perimeter moving in relation to the two, any setup is possible. Any point in the system can be configured as either pilot or beacon. The system can be setup within perimeters or in open spaces. The nature of the wave used, sets the operation range and limits. Most Hexamite Positioning Devices operate in the ultrasound range around 40Khz with operating range to about 20m per point in the system (other frequencies and ranges are available). Number of devices can be setup within the space monitored, to increase the overall range.
The Hexamite Local Positioning System is a synchronized ultrasonic positioning system. Synchronization can be accomplished by connecting the devices together or by remote means such as radio, light or sound. All Hexamite Positioning Devices allow three ways of synchronization, via serial input (RS485), via I/O pin or by sound (ultrasound). In the case of a tracking system where point 1, 2, 3 and 4 are fixed pilots and points 5 and 6 are moving beacons. It is logical to connect point 1, 2, 3 and 4 together via RS485, and utilize one or all of the fixed devices to synchronize 5 and 6 with the built in sonic synchronization feature.
A guidance system consisting of a single pilot where the pilot synchronizes the beacons using ultrasound is easily accomplished. The situation gets more complex if 5 and 6 are set up as pilots guided by 1, 2, 3 and 4 set up as beacons. This is particularly true if the pilots are not connected together. If pilot 5 is used to synchronize the beacons using the built in sonic synchronization feature, then pilot 6 doesn't know when the timing cycle starts. If there is only one pilot being guided by the beacons, sonic synchronization is not a problem. In the case of multiple mobile pilots guided by a system of beacons, it is necessary to use Radio or Light synchronization.
Any pilot can be configured as the master, the master initiates timing or distance acquisition cycle of the whole system by transmitting a synchronization signal at the beginning of the cycle. At the end of the cycle, all the pilots transmit their positioning data one after another over the serial network.