Barometric Sensor Local Calibration via Over-the-Air Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Barometric pressure sensors in smartphones and user equipment are often not calibrated to local conditions, resulting in measurement errors of up to several hundred feet, as they are typically calibrated at sea level and do not account for changing local weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing local barometric calibration using over-the-air signals to auto-calibrate barometric sensors by identifying cell site identifiers and determining sources for barometric pressure measurements from NOAA transmitters, local weather transmitters, or barometric pressure beacons, allowing for real-time calibration based on the device's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barometric pressure sensors are calibrated at sea level by manufacturers, then the calibration process is simple and consistent, but the sensors report barometric pressure measurements with errors of fifty feet or greater due to lack of local calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary calibration system consisting of barometric pressure beacons and server infrastructure that mediates between the factory-calibrated sensor and the local environment. The beacon transmits reference barometric pressure data to the mobile device, enabling automatic local calibration without manual intervention or complex user procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device automatically performs calibration by receiving barometric pressure data from local beacons and adjusting its sensor readings accordingly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual calibration by users while achieving high measurement precision through continuous automatic adjustment based on local conditions.
2Measurement precision
If barometric pressure sensors are manually calibrated by users to local barometric pressure readings, then measurement accuracy improves initially, but accuracy deteriorates as local weather conditions change and require recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system operates continuously by maintaining ongoing communication between mobile devices and barometric pressure beacons. The beacons continuously transmit reference barometric pressure data, allowing devices to perform repeated calibration operations as weather conditions change, ensuring sustained measurement accuracy over time rather than a single initial calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where barometric pressure beacons provide continuous reference measurements to mobile devices. Devices compare their sensor readings against beacon data and automatically adjust their calibration parameters, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing environmental conditions through continuous feedback from the beacon network.
3Measurement precision
If barometric pressure sensors are calibrated to local conditions, then measurement accuracy improves, but the calibration process becomes more complex requiring location identification and source determination
Solution Approach 1:
The barometric pressure beacon serves multiple functions: it provides reference calibration data, transmits location information, and enables automatic device identification. This universal beacon infrastructure handles all aspects of local calibration, reducing the complexity burden on individual mobile devices while achieving accurate local calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
Barometric pressure beacons are pre-deployed at known locations with known barometric pressure characteristics. When a mobile device enters a beacon's coverage area, the calibration data is already available and ready for immediate transmission, eliminating the need for the device to perform complex source determination or calibration calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing local barometric calibration for user equipment is disclosed. In particular, the system may utilize an over-the-air signal to feed local barometric pressure measurements to the user equipment so as to auto-calibrate the barometric sensor of the user equipment to the local barometric pressure. The local barometric pressure may be collated to the serving cell site identifier or wireless access point to which the user equipment is connected. The local barometric pressure measurements may be obtained by the optimal resource available in the area associated with the user equipment. For example, the local barometric pressure measurements may be obtained from the Internet, a local weather service, a local serving beacon, or other source. The barometric sensor may be calibrated at desired intervals, when certain conditions are satisfied, or any combination thereof.