Assisted Direction Finding for Single-Antenna Target Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the direction of a target device, especially in device-to-device scenarios where devices are limited to a single antenna without Angle of Arrival (AoA) estimation.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing one or more assisting devices to provide ranging measurements and relative location information to enhance direction finding accuracy and reduce latency, through methods involving user equipment (UE) and direction finding coordination nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If device-to-device direction finding is performed using a single antenna without Angle of Arrival estimation, then device complexity is reduced, but direction finding accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces assisting devices as intermediaries between the first UE and the target UE. These assisting devices perform ranging measurements and provide relative location information that mediates the direction finding process, enabling accurate direction finding without requiring the UE to have multiple antennas or AoA estimation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point measurement approach to a multi-dimensional measurement framework by involving multiple assisting devices at different locations. This dimensional expansion allows the system to calculate direction information through geometric relationships between multiple measurement points, achieving accuracy equivalent to multi-antenna systems.
2Measurement precision
If ranging measurements are obtained from multiple assisting devices, then direction finding accuracy is improved, but measurement time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having assisting devices perform ranging measurements in advance before the actual direction finding operation. The relative location information between assisting devices and the first UE is pre-obtained, allowing the direction finding calculation to proceed more quickly once all necessary measurements are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the first UE requests ranging measurements from assisting devices and receives relative location information that feeds back into the direction finding calculation. This feedback loop allows the system to iteratively refine and verify the direction finding accuracy while managing measurement time.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to direction finding to a target device via one or more assisting devices. In an aspect, assisting device(s) (e.g., helper or cooperative devices) may provide assistance to a user equipment (UE) that is attempting to perform a direction finding operation to ascertain a direction from the UE to the target device. In an aspect, a single assisting device at a single location may be utilized in conjunction with the UE at multiple locations. In another aspect, multiple assisting devices may be utilized in conjunction with the UE at a single location. In a further aspect, a single assisting device at multiple locations may be utilized in conjunction with the UE at multiple locations. Such aspects may provide various technical advantages, such as improved direction finding accuracy and/or reduced direction finding latency.