AIOT Multi-Point Positioning With Hybrid RX-TX Time Differences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3GPP technologies face challenges in supporting low-power, low-cost IoT devices with energy harvesting capabilities, particularly in terms of power consumption, device size, and cost, and lack a comprehensive system design for efficient localization of Ambient IoT devices.

Innovation Solution

An AIOT multi-point positioning method that enables localization of Ambient IoT devices without synchronization to the network, using hybrid RX-TX time difference measurements and quantized reporting, minimizing reporting overhead and device complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing 3GPP technologies are used for IoT localization, then network synchronization can be achieved, but power consumption increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the localization process into two parts: network-side synchronization (handled by the network) and device-side measurement (handled by the IoT device). The IoT device only needs to measure the time difference between receiving synchronization signals and transmitting its own signals, rather than maintaining full synchronization, thus reducing power consumption while achieving localization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the network acts as a mediator to provide synchronization signals to IoT devices. Instead of the IoT device directly synchronizing with the network (which consumes power), the network provides pre-synchronized reference signals that the IoT device can use for localization measurements without needing to maintain active synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If existing 3GPP technologies are used for IoT localization, then network synchronization can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synchronization and measurement functions: the network handles synchronization complexity while the IoT device only performs simple time difference measurements. This division reduces the complexity burden on the IoT device while maintaining localization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables IoT devices to perform self-localization using simple time difference measurements without requiring complex synchronization mechanisms. The devices can autonomously determine their location based on the time difference between receiving network synchronization signals and transmitting their own signals, eliminating the need for complex external synchronization systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If detailed time difference measurements are reported, then localization accuracy improves, but reporting overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidreporting overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter being reported from absolute time values to time difference values. By reporting only the time difference between receiving synchronization signals and transmitting own signals, the patent reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted while maintaining sufficient localization accuracy. This parameter transformation reduces reporting overhead significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4597167A1AIOT multi-point positioning method
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4597167A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597167A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597167A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus includes means for measuring a reception time of an activation signal that triggers a reply; means for determining a transmission time of the reply; and means for determining a reception transmission time difference as a difference between the transmission time of the reply and the reception time of the activation signal that triggers the reply.