Accuracy Considerations in a 3-D Ultrasonic Positioning System Based on the Difference in Time of Flights

Abstract

This paper presents a method to improve the accuracy of an ultrasonic 3-D positioning system that uses the differences in the time of flights from a single transmitter to multiple receivers. The paper presents techniques to overcome errors in ultrasonic systems due to critical issues such as misalignment of transducers, changes in the speed of sound, arrival time of signals, etc. Further, the work presented here is not just applicable to ultrasonic systems but to all systems based on wave theory. This work will impact applications in robotics, virtual reality, precision measurement devices and probes, guidance of autonomous vehicles, and vibration analysis.