AoA AoD Mirror Ambiguity Resolution via Antenna Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for calculating Angle of Arrival (AoA) or Angle of Departure (AoD) of RF signals face challenges in accurately distinguishing between symmetric or mirrored angle results, leading to ambiguity in determining the correct angles.
Innovation Solution
A receiver circuit with multiple antennas and a controller that calculates multiple angles based on digitized samples of RF signals, using orientation angles to differentiate between correct and mirrored AoA or AoD values by subtracting orientation angles and comparing results to identify the correct angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If arccos function is used to calculate AoA/AoD, then calculation is simple, but mirror ambiguity occurs resulting in two symmetric angle results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses antenna array orientation to break the symmetry of the mirror ambiguity problem. By orienting the antenna array at a specific non-zero angle relative to the transmitter, the system creates an asymmetric geometric relationship that allows differentiation between the two symmetric angle solutions. The orientation angle serves as an asymmetric reference that resolves the ambiguity inherent in the arccos function.
2Measurement precision
If multiple antenna arrays are used to resolve mirror ambiguity, then angle determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension - the orientation angle of the antenna array - to resolve the two-dimensional angle ambiguity. Instead of adding more antenna elements in the same plane, the system uses the angular orientation of the existing array as an additional parameter. This dimensional approach allows resolution of mirror ambiguity without proportionally increasing hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver circuit is disclosed. The receiver circuit includes a receiver antenna or a receiver antenna arrays oriented at a receiver orientation angle and configured to receive a plurality of RF signals transmitted from a transmitter circuit including a transmit antenna or a transmit antenna array oriented at a transmitter orientation angle. A controller A) calculates first and second AoAs based on a first signal at a first receiver antenna array, and calculates third and fourth AoAs based on a second signal at a second receiver antenna array, and/or B) calculates first and second AoDs based on a third signal from a first transmit antenna array, and calculates third and fourth AoDs based on a fourth signal from a second transmit antenna array. The controller also determines which of the first and second AoAs is correct, and/or determines which of the first and second AoDs is correct.