Adaptive TOA Threshold for Mobile Terminal Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional TOA-based locating methods suffer from low ranging accuracy due to poor channel environment adaptability, as they rely on a constant spectrum threshold, which increases the probability of incorrectly determining the first arrival path in noisy conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust the spectrum threshold based on channel parameters, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), using an exponential function that progressively decreases with the delay value, to improve the accuracy of time of arrival (TOA) estimation by filtering out noise interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a constant spectrum threshold is used for TOA estimation, then the method is simple to implement, but the ranging accuracy deteriorates in noisy channel environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidranging accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static constant threshold into a dynamic variable threshold that adapts to channel conditions. The threshold is adjusted based on detected channel parameters (such as signal-to-noise ratio) and progresses with delay value, allowing the system to maintain high ranging accuracy across varying channel environments while preserving implementation simplicity through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the threshold parameter from a fixed constant to a variable that depends on channel parameters and delay value. By detecting channel conditions and adjusting the threshold accordingly, the system optimizes ranging accuracy for different environmental conditions without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a constant spectrum threshold is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the channel environment adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidchannel environment adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting channel parameters and adapting the threshold accordingly. This self-service mechanism enables the system to adapt to different channel environments without requiring complex external configuration or manual intervention, maintaining low device complexity while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system detects channel parameters, adjusts the threshold based on this feedback, and continues operation with the adapted threshold. This closed-loop approach enables automatic adaptation to channel conditions without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If a constant threshold is used for first arrival path detection, then the processing speed is fast, but the probability of incorrect determination increases in noisy conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic threshold adjustment that progresses with delay value, allowing rapid initial detection while improving reliability for later arrivals. The threshold adapts based on detected channel conditions, maintaining fast processing speed while reducing incorrect determinations in noisy environments through condition-dependent adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3255449B1Acquisition method and device of time of arrival for positioning mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3255449B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3255449B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3255449B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for obtaining time of arrival TOA when a mobile terminal is located, including: receiving a locating reference signal sent by a locating transmitter; performing time domain related processing on the locating reference signal and a synchronization reference signal sequence to obtain a related spectrum value of a multipath signal component corresponding to a delay value; detecting a channel parameter used when the locating reference signal is received, and generating, according to the channel parameter and a function that progressively decreases with the delay value, a related spectrum threshold that progressively decreases with the delay value; and traversing the delay value in ascending order of the delay value, searching for a first traversed delay value whose related spectrum value of a multipath signal component corresponding to the delay value is greater than a related spectrum threshold corresponding to the delay value, and using the found delay value as TOA for outputting.