Stationary Wireless Access Point Positioning via Mobile Crowdsourcing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of stationary wireless access points require manual measurement, which is inefficient and lacks accuracy, especially in environments where GPS reception is limited.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing at least two mobile terminals in radio contact with the access point to automatically determine its position through distance measurements and position information exchange, employing geodesy principles for network adjustment and iterative correction, allowing for precise calculation of position and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement is used to determine access point positions, then implementation is simple, but accuracy is poor and productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-determination of access point positions through mobile devices that autonomously perform distance measurements, position information exchange, and calculation operations. Mobile devices automatically determine their own positions using GPS or other positioning systems, then use these positions along with distance measurements to the access point to calculate the access point's position without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with electronic and computational systems. Instead of physically measuring and marking positions, the system uses radio wave-based distance measurements (TOA/TDOA methods), electronic position information exchange between mobile devices and access points, and automated calculation algorithms to determine positions with high accuracy and efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement is used for access point positioning, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mobile devices that already possess multiple functions (communication, positioning, computing) to perform the additional task of access point position determination. Standard mobile phones with GPS receivers, processors, and communication interfaces are utilized, avoiding the need for specialized dedicated measuring equipment while achieving high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile devices serve as intermediaries between the access points and the position determination system. They collect distance measurements to multiple access points, determine their own positions, and use this information to calculate access point positions through mathematical algorithms, thereby enabling indirect but accurate position determination without direct manual measurement.
3Extent of automation
If traditional positioning methods are used, then data traffic is high, but automation level is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs position determination only when necessary rather than continuously. Mobile devices determine their positions and calculate access point positions based on distance measurements and position information exchanges conducted at specific intervals or triggered by events, reducing unnecessary data transmission and energy consumption while maintaining automation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the accurate and automatic determination of stationary wireless access point positions without manual intervention, improving accuracy and reducing data traffic by leveraging mobile crowdsourcing and geodesy-based network adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a) determining, for a first validity time, in the stationary access point a first observation value which defines a distance of the stationary access point to a first mobile terminal, and a second observation value which defines a distance of the stationary access point (20) to at least one second mobile terminal (40)
Implementation Method 2
c) calculating, in the stationary access point, a position of the stationary access point as a function of the first and second observation values and the first and second position information for the first validity time
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to a method for automatically determining the position of a stationary wireless access point (20, 30) using a mobile crowdsourcing method comprising the following steps: a) Determining, for a first validity time, in the stationary access point (20), a first observation value that defines the relative position between the stationary access point (20) and a first mobile device (10); b) Providing to the stationary access point (20) a first position information that has been determined by the first mobile device (10) for the first validity time and that defines the position of the first mobile device (10); c) Calculating, in the stationary access point (20), its position as a function of the first observation value and the first position information for the first validity time.