Agile Interference Detection in Multicarrier Phase Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicarrier phase ranging systems face interference issues in the 2.4 GHz ISM band due to coexistence with other wireless technologies, leading to reduced accuracy and inefficient use of bandwidth, as existing frequency adaptation methods blacklist interfering channels permanently or for multiple cycles, undermining the entire ranging cycle's results.
Innovation Solution
An agile multicarrier phase ranging system that performs a handshake between devices to negotiate channels and start times, checks for interference using In-Phase and Quadrature samples, and temporarily skips affected channels without permanent blacklisting, allowing for dynamic channel switching and maximizing bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency adaptation methods blacklist interfering channels permanently or for multiple cycles, then interference is mitigated, but channel availability and bandwidth utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts channel usage by temporarily skipping channels with detected interference for only the next epoch, rather than permanently blacklisting them. This dynamic approach allows channels to be reused once interference subsides, maintaining reliability while maximizing channel availability and bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The interference mitigation strategy changes based on detected interference properties (strength, duration, repetition). The system adapts the number of channels to skip and the duration of skipping based on interference characteristics, optimizing the balance between mitigation effectiveness and channel utilization
2Measurement precision
If multiple CT signals are sent over multiple carrier frequencies to mitigate multi-path fading, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the multicarrier phase ranging process into independent epoch-based measurements. Each epoch processes one or more carrier frequencies separately, allowing parallel processing and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the accuracy benefits of multiple frequency measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary interference detection using IQ samples before final distance calculation. This preliminary action identifies and flags interfered channels, allowing the main processing to focus only on valid measurements and reducing computational complexity
3Measurement precision
If interference detection is performed using IQ samples, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial interference detection by analyzing IQ samples only for channels that are critical to the ranging measurement. This selective approach maintains detection accuracy for relevant channels while reducing overall processing time and computational load
Data Source
AI summary
A multicarrier phase ranging system and method are provided. Generally, the method includes performing a handshake between first and a second transceiver to negotiate a list of channels and a start-time for a multicarrier phase ranging process. The process includes in a first cycle exchanging a Constant Tone (CT) between the first and second transceiver in a first epoch on a first channel, and processing the CT received in the first and second transceiver to measure a difference in phase between the CT received and a reference signal. The CT received is checked for interference using software or hardware in either or both of the first and second transceiver. If no interference is detected the first and second transceiver switch to another channel and exchange the CT at a next epoch. If interference is detected, at least one channel is skipped for at least a subsequent epoch.