Access Point Positioning Using Device Location and Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless access points (APs) lack positioning modules, making it difficult to determine their geolocation, which is necessary for managing radio frequency resources and ensuring minimal interference with licensed devices in congested frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining the location of an AP by receiving location information from a communication device, calculating a distance, and estimating the AP's location with a specified uncertainty based on the device's location information, ensuring a desired confidence level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional routers without positioning modules are used, then device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but location information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a communication device as an intermediary to provide location information for the access point. Instead of adding a positioning module directly to the router, the system leverages the location data from a connected communication device (such as a smartphone with GPS) to determine and report the access point's location to the automated frequency coordination system.
2Measurement precision
If location information of AP is determined using communication device location, then location information can be obtained without positioning module, but location uncertainty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback by calculating location uncertainty based on the distance between the access point and the communication device. The location uncertainty is dynamically determined using the known location accuracy of the communication device and the measured distance, providing a quantitative measure of confidence in the derived access point location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by not only reporting the estimated location coordinates but also providing associated uncertainty values. This transforms the location information from a simple position estimate to a probabilistic location description that includes confidence metrics, enabling the automated frequency coordination system to make informed decisions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If transmission power is restricted to protect incumbent radios, then interference is reduced, but wireless communication performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables local optimization of transmission power by providing location information to the automated frequency coordination system. With knowledge of the access point's precise location and associated uncertainty, the system can determine location-specific power restrictions that protect incumbent radios in their vicinity while allowing non-incumbent access points in different locations to operate at higher powers where they will not cause interference.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method, an access point (AP) and a computer program product for determining location of the AP. A location information of a communication device wirelessly coupled to the AP may be received, the location information including a first location uncertainty with a first confidence level. A distance between the AP and the communication device may be determined based at least on a measured signal strength of a signal received from the communication device. Location information of the AP may be determined based at least on the distance and the location information of the communication device. A second location uncertainty with a second confidence level may be determined based on the distance and the first location uncertainty as at least a portion of the location information of the AP.