Asset Tag Tracking via Edge Gateway Signal Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems face challenges in accurately estimating the location of asset tracking tags within a space while minimizing data traffic in wireless networks, as they rely on complex computations and large data sets, leading to increased network traffic without corresponding accuracy improvements.
Innovation Solution
The system employs asset tracking tags that transmit a unique beacon-like signal, processed by RF-enabled wireless communication nodes, which aggregate and filter messages to estimate the tag's location, using edge and fog gateways to reduce redundant data and enhance location determination accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex computations and large data sets are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but data network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data processing function into two parts: (1) RF nodes perform minimal signal attribute measurement and message generation, (2) a separate computing device performs the complex location computation using aggregated data from multiple nodes. This segmentation allows accurate location determination while reducing network traffic at the RF node level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing device that acts as a mediator between RF nodes and the central system. This intermediary aggregates signal attribute data from multiple RF nodes, performs the complex location computations, and returns location estimates, thereby reducing the overall data network traffic while maintaining high location accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If advanced RF technology with greater range and computing power is employed, then location accuracy is improved, but RF signal traffic and data processing demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex data processing function from the RF nodes and relocates it to a separate computing device. RF nodes only perform minimal signal attribute measurement and message generation, while the computing device handles the intensive location computation, thereby reducing data processing demands on RF nodes while maintaining high location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables RF nodes to autonomously perform simple signal measurement and message generation without requiring complex processing capabilities. This self-service approach at the node level reduces overall system complexity and energy consumption while the central computing device handles the heavy computational load.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of a system and a method for asset tracking are provided. The system includes wireless communication nodes in a space that receive a basic message including an asset tracking tag identifier and a basic message sequence number transmitted by an asset tracking tag. The wireless communication nodes measure a received basic message signal attribute, and transmit a node asset message including the asset tracking tag identifier, the basic message sequence number, a node identifier, and the measured signal attribute of the received basic message to an edge gateway. The edge gateway may receive the transmitted node asset message transmitted by each of some number of the wireless communication nodes and rank respective node identifiers extracted from the received node asset messages based the measured signal attribute. The edge gateway forwards an aggregated message to a fog gateway for obtaining an estimate of the location of the asset tracking tag.