Systems and methods for geographic positioning using radio spectrum signatures

Abstract

Methods, radios, components thereof, and other devices for localizing a geographic position of a radio receiver are provided. A current radio signature is obtained. The current radio signature comprises a plurality of measured signal qualities that collectively represent a frequency spectrum. Each measured signal quality in the plurality of measured signal qualities corresponds to a portion of the frequency spectrum. The current radio signature is compared with a plurality of reference radio signatures. Each reference radio signature in the plurality of reference radio signatures is associated with a global position. When the comparing identifies a unique match between the current radio signature and a reference radio signature in the plurality of reference radio signatures, the radio receiver is deemed to be localized to the global position associated with the reference radio signature.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
   
   
       54 . A radio having a memory, the memory comprising:
 a radio signature lookup table, said radio signature lookup table comprising a plurality of reference radio signatures, each reference radio signature in said plurality of reference radio signatures associated with a global position;   means for localizing a geographic position of the radio comprising instructions for obtaining a current radio signature by scanning a contiguous range of frequencies in said frequency spectrum, wherein said current radio signature comprises a plurality of measured signal qualities that collectively represent said frequency spectrum, each measured signal quality in said plurality of measured signal qualities corresponding to a portion of said frequency spectrum;   means for comparing said current radio signature to said plurality of reference radio signatures;   a radio display table, wherein said radio display table comprises information for each global position in a plurality of global positions; and   means for updating information in said radio display table.   
   
   
       55 . The radio of  claim 54 , the memory further comprising:
 means for obtaining information from said radio display table as a function of an identity of a reference radio signature uniquely identified by said means for comparing.   
   
   
       56 . (canceled) 
   
   
       57 . The radio of  claim 54 , the memory further comprising means for updating a reference radio signature in said radio signature lookup table. 
   
   
       58 . The radio of  claim 54 , wherein said radio signature lookup table and said means for localizing a geographic position of the radio are embedded in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). 
   
   
       59 - 64 . (canceled) 
   
   
       65 . The radio of  claim 54 , the memory further comprising means for populating said radio signature lookup table. 
   
   
       66 . The radio of  claim 65 , wherein a reference radio signature in said radio signature lookup table is populated by said instructions for populating using a propagation model. 
   
   
       67 . The radio of  claim 65 , wherein a reference radio signature in said radio signature lookup table is populated by said instructions for populating using an empirical model.