Ultra-wideband-supported beamforming and positioning system and method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a system that performs beam alignment in wireless communication by reducing delay time, optimizing signal strength, and enhancing positioning accuracy through Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-supported task-oriented beamforming and Kalman filter-based location estimation methods.

Description

[0001] ULTRA-WIDEBAND-SUPPORTED BEAMFORMING AND POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a system that performs beam alignment in wireless communication by reducing delay time, optimizing signal strength, and enhancing positioning accuracy through Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-supported task-oriented beamforming and Kalman filter-based location estimation methods.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] In wireless communication systems, beamforming techniques are widely used to enhance signal quality and optimize communication efficiency. In this regard, two methods are included: Exhaustive Beam Searching and Hierarchical Beam Search Strategies.

[0006] The exhaustive beam searching, i.e. the first method, aims to find the best signal path by searching all possible beam directions. This method typically operates by selecting beams from a codebook. However, it has significant disadvantages, such as high delay time, particularly in complex MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) systems. These delays negatively impact user experience, which leads to resource waste and reduced system efficiency in dense network environments due to constant beam switching.

[0007] The hierarchical beam search strategies, i.e. the second method, aims to reduce search time by searching beams through a hierarchical structure. However, this method also has certain limitations. When narrow beams are used, the efficiency gains remain limited, and the process can be time-consuming. Additionally, issues such as incorrect beam selection can degrade signal quality and cause communication interruptions, negatively impacting the user experience.

[0008] The common shortcomings of these two methods lead to various technical problems in wireless communication systems. One of the main problems is the delayed response time caused by the inability to quickly adapt to changes in user positions. This particularlyaffects network performance in mobile environments. Another problem is the inability to effectively manage interference between closely located Basic Service Sets (BSS). This interference management issue causes signal quality degradation and disruptions in the user experience.

[0009] As a result, more effective and innovative approaches are needed to improve beam alignment and signal optimization processes in wireless communication.

[0010] Brief Description and Objects of the Invention

[0011] The invention relates to a system that performs beam alignment in wireless communication by reducing delay time, optimizing signal strength, and enhancing positioning accuracy through Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-supported task-oriented beamforming and Kalman filter-based location estimation methods.

[0012] One object of the invention is to optimize signals by performing more accurate beam alignment based on user locations.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to enhance resource efficiency in wireless communication systems by reducing unnecessary beam searches and signal optimization processes.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to enable rapid and precise detection of user locations using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to improve performance by adapting to user mobility and environmental changes through estimation algorithms such as the Kalman filter.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to effectively manage signal interference between closely located Basic Service Sets (BSS) to enhance signal quality.

[0017] Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a more stable and high-quality user experience by minimizing communication interruptions and fluctuations in signal quality.

[0018] Description of the FiguresFig. 1. A drawing which illustrates a flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

[0019] Fig. 2. A drawing which illustrates a schematic view of the system according to the invention.

[0020] Description of the References in the Figures

[0021] 1 . Wireless Device

[0022] 2. Access Point

[0023] 3. Location Determination System

[0024] 5. UWB Module

[0025] 6. Timer

[0026] 7. Time Difference of Arrival Resolver

[0027] 9. Beamforming Algorithm

[0028] 10. Kalman Filter

[0029] 11. Measurement Error

[0030] 12. Filtered location information

[0031] 13. Wired network standard

[0032] 14. Wireless network standard

[0033] 1001. Receiving a coordination request with multiple access points (2)

[0034] 1002. Sending a coordination response with multiple access points (2)

[0035] 1003. Measuring the strength of the signals received from wireless devices (1) by the access point (2) and using this information within the system

[0036] 1004. Optimizing the beamforming process through location tracking by the UWB module (5)

[0037] 1005. Requesting location information-containing beacon messages from wireless devices (1) connected to the network by the access point (2)

[0038] 1006. Sending beacon messages containing high-accuracy location information using UWB technology by the wireless device (1) connected to the wireless network 1007. Determining the locations of these devices by measuring the differences in the arrival times of UWB-beacon signals received from the wireless devices (1) by the location tracking system (3)1008. Rendering the calculated location information more accurate using the kalman filtering method by the location tracking system (3)

[0039] 1009. Performing beam alignment calculations by the access point (2) using the filtered location information

[0040] 1010. Selecting an appropriate beam for data transmission by the access point (2) based on the device’s location information and the results of beam alignment calculations 1011. Updating the calculated beam alignment information and configuration settings by the access point device (2), combining the signals of antennas to create a narrow beam, and directing this beam toward the device whose location has been determined 1012. Implementing a task-oriented flow control mechanism for optimal beam alignment and data transmission by the access point (2) to prioritize data transmission based on the device’s location information and the strength values of the received signals

[0041] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0042] The invention relates to a system that performs beam alignment in wireless communication by reducing delay time, optimizing signal strength, and enhancing positioning accuracy through Ultra-Wideband (UWB)-supported task-oriented beamforming and Kalman filter-based location estimation methods.

[0043] The wireless device (1) enables communication within the system. The wireless device (1) represents all mobile or stationary devices (such as phones, tablets, sensors, etc.). The wireless device (1 ) includes a UWB Module (5) and a timer (6).

[0044] The Access Point (2) is the central point that provides access to the wireless network, allowing wireless devices (1) to communicate with each other and send data packets. It transmits and receives signals and performs beamforming operations. The Access point (2) utilizes a beamforming algorithm (9) and a wired network standard (13). The preferred wired network standard (13) is IEEE 802.3.

[0045] The location determination system (3) determines the locations of devices by using data received from the access point (2) running on the server, taking errors into account. The location determination system (3) utilizes the time difference of arrival resolver (7), kalman filter (10), wired network standard (13), and wireless network standard (14).The UWB Module (5) are ultra-wideband radio modules that generate and transmit UWB Beacons, used for high-accuracy positioning.

[0046] The timer (6) is a mechanism that ensures the timely triggering of specific operations.

[0047] The time difference of arrival resolver (7) estimates the distances of the device from different access points by using the differences in the arrival times of received signals. RSSI calculations are used to estimate the distances between devices. They are calculated based on the strength of the received signal.

[0048] The beamforming algorithm (9) is an algorithm that performs calculations to create a narrow beam of signal in a specific direction using antenna arrays. It ensures that the signal is transmitted in a more focused manner.

[0049] The kalman filter (10) is a filtering technique used to reduce errors in measurements and achieve more accurate location estimations.

[0050] The Measurement Error (11) indicates how much the location estimation deviates from the actual location. Measurement error is defined as state estimation error and is calculated as follows:

[0051] ek ~zk ~ ^xk,k-l

[0052] Equation-1

[0053] In Equation 1 :

[0054] ek: State estimation error (measurement error).

[0055] zk: The actual value acquired from that measurement (location information of STA).

[0056] Measurement matrix. It shows the measurement value which is calculated based on the previous state estimation.

[0057] The filtered location information (12) provides the most likely calculated location of the device as a result of all these processes.This invention is a system based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, designed for high-accuracy positioning and efficient signal transmission. The system ensures the realtime positioning of wireless devices (1) in an environment and, by utilizing this information, enables signals sent from access points (2) to be transmitted in a more focused manner to target devices.

[0058] The system consists of one or more access points (2). These access points (2) are in continuous communication with the wireless devices (1). Wireless devices (1) send and receive data packets at specific intervals. The location determination system (3) calculates the location of the wireless device (1) using the data it receives and shares this information with the access point (2).

[0059] The UWB modules (5) in wireless devices send and receive ultra-wideband radio signals. These signals are detected by the receivers at the access points (2). The Time Difference of Arrival Resolver (7) calculates the location of the device using the triangulation principle by measuring the differences in signal arrival times at different access points. Additionally, calculations based on measuring the signal strength (RSSI) support the location estimation.

[0060] Raw data obtained from the Time Difference of Arrival Resolver (7) and RSSI calculations are combined using an advanced signal processing technique called the Kalman Filter (10), minimizing measurement errors and providing a more reliable location information. Nevertheless, the measurement error (11), defined as the uncertainty in location estimation, is taken into account. As a result, the device's actual location is determined with high accuracy. The filtered location data (12) obtained from the output of the kalman filter is used as a critical input for the beamforming algorithm (9).

[0061] The Beamforming Algorithm (9) combines signals into a narrow beam and focuses them on the targeted device using the filtered location information (12). This improves signal quality and reduces electromagnetic interference with other devices, thereby enhancing system performance.

[0062] Data exchange between devices is carried out through data packets sent at specific intervals. The system supports both wired (IEEE 802.3) (13) and wireless (IEEE802.15.4z) (14) network standards. Thus, it can operate compatibly with different types of devices.

[0063] The operating method of the system is as follows:

[0064] - Receiving a coordination request with multiple access points (2) (1001 ), - Sending a coordination response with multiple access points (2) (1002), - Measuring the strength (RSSI information) of the signals received from wireless devices (1) by the access point (2) and using this information within the system (1003),

[0065] - Optimizing the beamforming process through location tracking by the UWB module (5) (1004) (frequent scanning of UWB beacons),

[0066] - Requesting location information-containing beacon messages from wireless devices (1) connected to the network by the access point (2) (1005),

[0067] - Sending beacon messages containing high-accuracy location information using UWB (Ultra Wideband) technology by the wireless device (1) connected to the wireless network (1006),

[0068] - Determining the locations of these devices by measuring (TDoA calculations) the differences in the arrival times of UWB-beacon signals received from the wireless devices (1) by the location tracking system (3) (1007),

[0069] - Rendering the calculated location information more accurate using the kalman filtering method by the location tracking system (3) (1008),

[0070] - Performing beam alignment calculations using the filtered location information by the access point (2) (1009),

[0071] - Selecting an appropriate beam for data transmission by the access point (2) based on the device’s location information and the results of beam alignment calculations (1010),

[0072] - Updating the calculated beam alignment information and configuration settings by the access point device (2), combining the signals of antennas to create a narrow beam, and directing this beam toward the device whose location has been determined (1011),

[0073] - Implementing a task-oriented flow control mechanism for optimal beam alignment and data transmission by the access point (2) to prioritize data transmission based on the device’s location information and the strength values of the received signals (1012)

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. An ultra-wideband-supported beamforming and positioning system, wherein it comprises:at least one wireless device (1 ), which includes at least one UWB module (5) sending and receiving ultra-wideband radio signals, and at least one timer (6) ensuring the timely triggering of operations, which continuously communicates with the wireless devices (1) using a wireless network standard (14), and which sends and receives data packets at regular intervals,at least one location determination system (3), which includes a time difference of arrival resolver (7) calculating the location of the wireless device (1) using the triangulation principle by measuring differences in signal arrival times at different access points, which performs RSSI calculation estimating the distance of the devices to each other based on the received signal strength; which obtains the filtered location information (12) by combining the raw data obtained from the time difference of arrival resolver (7) and RSSI calculation results with the kalman filter (10), taking into account the measurement error (11) which is defined as the uncertainty in the location estimation, which runs on a server, and which operates with both wired network standard (13) and wireless network standard (14),at least one access point (2), which uses a beamforming algorithm (9) combining signals into a narrow beam and focusing them on the targeted device using filtered location information (12), and detects the signals sent by the wireless device (1 ) with its receiver using a wired network standard (13).

2. An ultra-wideband-supported beamforming and positioning method, wherein it comprises the following process steps:Receiving a coordination request with multiple access points (2) (1001), Sending a coordination response with multiple access points (2) (1002),Measuring the strength of the signals received from wireless devices (1) by the access point (2) and using this information within the system (1003),Optimizing the beamforming process through location tracking by the UWB module (5) (1004),Requesting location information-containing beacon messages from wireless devices (1) connected to the network by the access point (2) (1005),Sending beacon messages containing high-accuracy location information using UWB technology by the wireless device (1) connected to the wireless network (1006),Determining the locations of these devices by measuring the differences in the arrival times of UWB-beacon signals received from the wireless devices (1) by the location tracking system (3) (1007),Rendering the calculated location information more accurate using the kalman filtering method by the location tracking system (3) (1008), Performing beam alignment calculations using the filtered location information by the access point (2) (1009),Selecting an appropriate beam for data transmission by the access point (2) based on the device’s location information and the results of beam alignment calculations (1010),Updating the calculated beam alignment information and configuration settings by the access point device (2), combining the signals of antennas to create a narrow beam, and directing this beam toward the device whose location has been determined (1011),Implementing a task-oriented flow control mechanism for optimal beam alignment and data transmission by the access point (2) to prioritize data transmission based on the device’s location information and the strength values of the received signals (1012).

3. An ultra-wideband-supported beamforming and positioning system according to claim 1 , wherein it comprises a wireless device (1) which can be a phone, tablet, smartwatch, laptop, electric vehicle, or sensor.

4. An ultra-wideband-supported beamforming and positioning system according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a location determination system (3) which calculates the measurement error with the equation: ek= zk— Hx^^.

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