National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (20240328821). GRID-BASED CODING OF TERRAIN MAPS FOR LOCALIZATION simplified abstract

GRID-BASED CODING OF TERRAIN MAPS FOR LOCALIZATION

Organization Name

National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC

Inventor(s)

Felix Wang of Albuquerque NM (US)

James Bradley Aimone of Keller TX (US)

GRID-BASED CODING OF TERRAIN MAPS FOR LOCALIZATION - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240328821 titled 'GRID-BASED CODING OF TERRAIN MAPS FOR LOCALIZATION

The method described in the patent application involves encoding terrain maps by receiving a digital elevation model (DEM) of a terrain and encoding it into grid cells parameterized by spatial scale, orientation, and 2D offset. Grid cells with shared scale and orientation are aggregated into grid modules. Locations from the DEM that correspond to a given elevation produce a contour line of locations that fall within the given elevation. 2D phase codes are calculated for each grid module to produce a phase candidate dictionary, where a subset of phase codes comprises phase candidates corresponding to locations from the contour line. When sensor data is received along a trajectory over the terrain, the phase candidate dictionary is queried. Phase candidates are corrected for relative displacement from a reference point and summed to produce a coincidence map over the DEM that identifies a current location estimate over the terrain.

• Grid cells parameterized by spatial scale, orientation, and 2D offset
• Aggregation of grid cells with shared scale and orientation into grid modules
• Calculation of 2D phase codes for each grid module to produce a phase candidate dictionary
• Correction of phase candidates for relative displacement from a reference point
• Summation of phase candidates to produce a coincidence map for identifying a current location estimate over the terrain

• • Potential Applications:**

- Navigation systems - Geographic information systems - Surveying and mapping technologies

• • Problems Solved:**

- Accurate location estimation over varied terrains - Efficient encoding and decoding of terrain maps - Improved sensor data processing for terrain mapping

• • Benefits:**

- Enhanced accuracy in determining location estimates - Streamlined processing of sensor data for terrain mapping - Improved efficiency in encoding and decoding terrain maps

• • Commercial Applications:**

Title: Advanced Terrain Mapping Technology for Navigation Systems This technology can be utilized in commercial applications such as: - Autonomous vehicles for precise navigation - Military operations for tactical planning - Environmental monitoring for terrain analysis

• • Questions about the Technology:**

1. How does this technology improve the accuracy of location estimation over different terrains? 2. What are the potential limitations of using this method for encoding terrain maps?

Original Abstract Submitted

encoding terrain maps is provided. the method comprises receiving a digital elevation model (dem) of a terrain and encoding the dem into grid cells parameterized by spatial scale, orientation, and 2d offset. grid cells with shared scale and orientation are aggregated into grid modules. locations from the dem that correspond to a given elevation produce a contour line of locations that fall within the given elevation. 2d phase codes are calculated for each grid module to produce a phase candidate dictionary, wherein a subset of phase codes comprises phase candidates corresponding to locations from the contour line. when sensor data is received along a trajectory over the terrain, the phase candidate dictionary is queried. phase candidates are corrected for relative displacement from a reference point and summed to produce a coincidence map over the dem that identifies a current location estimate over the terrain.