BLE Multi-Channel Phase Ranging for Higher Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ranging technologies using Multi-Carrier Phase Difference (MCPD) in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) suffer from reduced ranging precision due to limitations in phase difference measurements between adjacent channels.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves improving ranging precision by utilizing stochastic analysis to model phase measurements as random variables, employing cumulative summation of phase differences, and applying optimized weighting to phase differences across multiple channels, thereby enhancing the accuracy of range calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase difference measurements are performed between adjacent channels only, then the ranging procedure is simple, but the ranging precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phase difference measurements from multiple channel pairs (both adjacent and non-adjacent channels) into a unified ranging calculation. By merging measurements from channels (0,1), (1,2), (2,3), (0,2), (1,3), and (0,3), the system achieves higher precision through cumulative phase difference accumulation across the entire frequency band rather than relying on adjacent channels alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the ranging approach from one-dimensional adjacent channel measurements to a multi-dimensional measurement space by incorporating non-adjacent channel pairs. This dimensional expansion allows the system to utilize the full frequency band spectrum, transforming the ranging calculation from a simple adjacent-channel difference to a comprehensive multi-point phase analysis that significantly improves precision.
2Measurement precision
If more channel pairs are used for phase difference measurements, then the ranging precision is improved, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous phase difference accumulation across all frequency channels during the ranging measurement process. By maintaining continuous measurement and accumulation of phase differences from multiple channel pairs simultaneously, the system maximizes the useful measurement action within the available time, improving precision without proportionally increasing measurement duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary phase measurements across multiple channels during the connection establishment phase, accumulating phase difference data in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare ranging data before the actual ranging operation, reducing the time required for the primary ranging measurement while maintaining high precision through the pre-collected multi-channel phase information.
Data Source
AI summary
A phase based range measurement solution is provided comprising (i) determining several phase differences, wherein cach phase difference is based on a pair of phase measurements; (ii) determining a total phase difference based on the several phase differences, wherein each of the phase difference is weighted; and (iii) determining the range based on the total phase difference.