Barometric Sensor Calibration for Altitude Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barometric pressure measurements obtained by barometric sensors in devices are often inaccurate due to bias, skew, or error, leading to incorrect altitude determinations, which can result in delayed or incorrect location tracking and rescue operations, especially in indoor environments where the device may be on a different floor than indicated.
Innovation Solution
A calibration process is performed to determine a barometric offset by selecting appropriate barometric pressure measures based on the device's location relative to indoor or outdoor spaces, using conditions such as invalid previous offsets, speed thresholds, and geographic information to adjust altitude calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barometric sensor is used to determine altitude, then altitude measurement is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor bias and error
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by determining a barometric offset value before actual altitude measurements are taken. This offset is calculated by comparing barometric pressure readings with known reference locations (indoor and outdoor reference points) and storing the result for later use in correcting altitude measurements, thereby compensating for sensor bias and improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors device location and updates the barometric offset value based on feedback from location data. When the device is detected to be at a reference location (indoor or outdoor), the system uses the known altitude at that location to calculate and update the offset value, creating a feedback loop that continuously improves measurement accuracy as the device moves through different environments.
2Measurement precision
If barometric offset calibration is performed continuously, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration actions in advance by pre-determining barometric offset values at reference locations before the actual measurement process. This allows the complex calibration computations to be done beforehand, and the results (offset values) are stored for quick application during normal operation, reducing the complexity of continuous calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs calibration using its own internal sensors (barometric sensor, location services) without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention. The device uses its own barometric readings and location data to self-calibrate, eliminating the need for complex external calibration procedures while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If location-based calibration is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases during calibration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration actions in advance by pre-determining barometric offset values at reference locations before actual measurements are taken. This allows the complex calibration computations to be done beforehand, and the results (offset values) are stored for quick application during normal operation, reducing the time required for continuous calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs calibration using its own internal sensors (barometric sensor, location services) without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention. The device uses its own barometric readings and location data to self-calibrate, eliminating the need for complex external calibration procedures while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more computing devices, systems, and/or methods for calibrating barometric sensors and/or determining altitudes of devices are provided. In an example, a device is determined to be outdoors. In response to determining that the device is outdoors, a calibration process associated with a barometric sensor of the device is performed. The calibration process includes performing one or more barometric measurements using the barometric sensor to determine one or more barometric pressure measures, determining one or more locations of the device, wherein the one or more locations are associated with the one or more barometric measurements, and determining a barometric offset based upon the one or more barometric pressure measures and one or more reference values. An adjusted barometric pressure and/or an altitude of the device is determined based upon a first barometric pressure measure and the barometric offset.