Alcyone Systems' navigation system resolves “Navigational Blackouts “ due to unavailable GPS signals, via an Inertial Navigational System with an advanced wireless tracking system connected via a reconfigurable wireless networking communications technology.

The positioning technology uses multiple sensors, subsystems, and algorithms to determine the location of the tracked personnel. The data from each subsystem is fused onboard the Personal 3D Locator™ and in the 3D Locator™ Command Base Station. Using data fusion and complex algorithms, the integrated positioning software is able to locate personnel both indoors and out with excellent accuracy. The subsystems are integrated into a small motherboard that coordinates their operation.

The Company’s unique Inertial Navigation Unit (INU) subsystem contains an altimeter, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope and an inertial measurement unit/magnetometer. The information from these micro-sensors is combined using novel signal processing algorithms, programmed into microprocessors, to track the path taken by an individual on foot. We use this technique inside buildings and structures where GPS is not effective. This allows continuous and accurate ‘dead reckoning navigation’ of the user between observations from other network navigation sensors.

The GPS unit provides accurate, absolute position information when satellites are visible. Our advanced indoor GPS technology continues to provide valuable navigation data even when less than four satellites are visible.

While choice of individual navigation sensors is critical, Alcyone Systems' ability to fuse navigation data that is sparse and widely distributed across the network is critical to the success of the system.