Method and apparatus for ranging finding, orienting and/or positioning of single and/or multiple devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for ranging finding of signal transmitting devices is provided. The method of signal reception is digitally based only and does not require receivers that are analog measurement devices. Ranging can be achieved using a single pulse emitting device operating in range spaced relation with a minimum of a single signal transmitter and a single digital receiver and processing circuitry. In general a plurality of transmitting pulsed emitters may be ranged and positioned virtually simultaneously in 3-dimensions (XYZ coordinates) using a configuration of a plurality of digital receivers arranged in any fixed 3-dimensional configuration. Applications may involve at least one single transmitter to receiver design to determine range, or at least one transmitted reflecting signal off from an object to determine range.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for determining a distance travelled by a signal travelling from a signal transmitter and the device, comprising a receiver operable to receive the signal from the signal transmitter, the signal having at least one train of pulses, the train of pulses including a series of preamble pulses having a substantially constant pulse strength, and a series of body pulses, each body pulse having a pulse strength which varies across the series of body pulses according to a designated pulse strength profile, the receiver being operable to receive at least a subset of the series of the body pulses and to associate the received body pulses in the subset, whose pulse strength exceeds a designated pulse strength threshold value, with a value representative of the distance travelled, wherein the receiver is configured to become active when the designated pulse strength threshold value is exceeded by the pulse strength of a received body pulse in the subset, and to become inactive when the designated pulse strength threshold value is not exceeded by the pulse strength of a received body pulse in the subset.