A spread spectrum acoustic ranging system - an overview

There are spread spectrum systems that are commonly used for ranging. Perhaps the most pervasive system is GPS. Because such a system relies on a high frequency signal, the receiver must have an unobstructed view of the sky. There are situations in which one cannot use GPS, such as in an orchard or indoors. This paper suggests that ranging can be achieved by applying the spread spectrum technique to the medium of sound rather than RF. There are many similarities that a RF channel has with sound, but there are many differences as well. This paper discusses some of the situations in which an acoustic system would be appropriate. It also proposes how such a system could be constructed and even some of the electronic components that would be used along with the parameters of the codes and algorithms that could be used.