Backscatter Anchor Positioning Using Phase Signals Indoors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In indoor environments and areas with deep shadow effects, satellite and cellular signals are vulnerable to interference, making accurate positioning challenging for mobile terminals.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing zero-power consumption devices with backscatter communication to determine distance information based on phase information of backscatter signals from multiple anchor devices, enabling precise location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite and cellular signals are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved in outdoor environments, but signal reliability deteriorates in indoor environments and areas with deep shadow effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces backscatter signals from anchor devices as an intermediary mechanism to enable positioning in indoor environments. These anchor devices reflect or backscatter signals to provide positioning information when direct satellite or cellular signals are blocked, thus mediating between the positioning system and the target device in signal-denied environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signal parameter from direct transmission (satellite/cellular) to backscatter reflection. By utilizing backscatter signals with different frequencies from multiple anchor devices, the system adapts to indoor environments where traditional signals fail, maintaining positioning functionality through parameter transformation
2Device complexity
If zero-power consumption devices are deployed for positioning assistance, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate due to lower signal power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function by deploying multiple simple anchor devices throughout the environment. Each anchor device independently provides backscatter signals, and the target device combines information from multiple anchors to achieve accurate positioning, distributing the positioning function across many simple nodes rather than requiring a single complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges positioning information from multiple anchor devices to compensate for the low power of individual backscatter signals. By combining distance information from multiple anchors, the system achieves accurate positioning despite each individual anchor having limited transmission power
3Measurement precision
If multiple backscatter signals with different frequencies are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved through phase information, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic backscatter signals with different frequencies from multiple anchor devices. The target device receives these periodic signals and uses phase information to determine distance, leveraging the periodic nature of the signals to simplify processing while maintaining accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate positioning in indoor environments with low complexity and low cost, leveraging low-power and battery-free devices for high-density deployment and improved positioning accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a target device, a plurality of backscatter signals transmitted by each of a plurality of anchor devices
Implementation Method 2
determining distance information between the target device and each anchor device according to phase information of the plurality of backscatter signals
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication method includes: receiving, by a target device, a plurality of backscatter signals transmitted by each of a plurality of anchor devices, where the plurality of backscatter signals have different frequencies; and determining distance information between the target device and each anchor device according to phase information of the plurality of backscatter signals transmitted by each anchor device, where the distance information between the target device and the plurality of anchor devices is used to determine location information of the target device.