3D Direction Finding with Oriented Linear Antenna Arrays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining 3D directional vectors in indoor positioning systems are computationally expensive due to the use of two-dimensional antenna arrays, which can be improved by employing two or more linear antenna arrays with linearly arranged elements for more efficient and accurate direction finding.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing two or more linear antenna arrays with different orientations, each evaluated with individual one-dimensional pseudo-spectrums, to determine 3D directional vectors through angular quantities, allowing for computationally efficient and high-accuracy direction finding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-dimensional array of antenna elements is used to determine 3D directional vectors, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the two-dimensional antenna array into multiple one-dimensional linear antenna arrays with different orientations. Each linear array independently determines angular quantities (azimuth and elevation angles) using simplified one-dimensional processing, which reduces the complexity of individual array elements while maintaining the overall directional determination capability through combination of results from multiple segmented arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the problem from a two-dimensional antenna array configuration to multiple one-dimensional linear arrays. By using one-dimensional pseudo-spectra from linear arrays with different orientations (e.g., x-axis and y-axis oriented arrays), the system achieves 3D directional vector determination without requiring a full 2D array, thus reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If a two-dimensional array of antenna elements is used to determine 3D directional vectors, then measurement precision is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computational task by dividing the 2D array processing into independent 1D array processing operations. Each linear array processes signals independently to determine angular quantities, avoiding the need for complex joint processing of all array elements simultaneously. This segmentation reduces computational complexity while maintaining directional determination accuracy through the combination of results from multiple independent 1D analyses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces computational complexity by transitioning from two-dimensional array processing to one-dimensional pseudo-spectrum analysis. By using linear arrays with different orientations and computing one-dimensional pseudo-spectra for each, the system achieves 3D directional vector determination with significantly reduced computational burden compared to conventional 2D array processing methods.
3Productivity
If two or more linear antenna arrays with different orientations are used, then computational complexity is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple one-dimensional linear antenna arrays with different orientations (e.g., arrays oriented along different axes) to replace a single two-dimensional array. Each linear array is simple in structure, but the combination of multiple such arrays with known relative orientations enables the system to determine 3D directional vectors efficiently, reducing computational complexity while the overall system complexity remains manageable due to the modular nature of linear array configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
In a method for determining a 3D directional vector between a sending device and a receiving device, the receiving device comprises at least two antenna arrays that each comprise a plurality of linearly arranged antenna elements that are aligned to different orientations. The method comprises receiving, with the antenna arrays, a signal sent from the sending device, sampling, based on the received signal, outputs of each antenna element of each antenna array at a plurality of time instants, determining, for each antenna array, a Propagator Direct Data Acquisition, PDDA, pseudo-spectrum by performing a 1-dimensional PDDA, 1D-PDDA, based on the sampled outputs of the respective antenna array and on a plurality of steering vectors associated with the respective antenna array, determining a maximum of each PDDA pseudo-spectrum, determining an angular quantity (Ψ) for each antenna array based on the respective maximum of the PDDA pseudo-spectrum, and determining the 3D directional vector based on the angular quantities (Ψ) of each antenna array and on the orientations of the antenna arrays.