BLE Device Positioning via Asymmetric RSSI Distribution Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current off-the-shelf devices with off-center antennas produce asymmetric radio frequency fields, making it challenging to accurately locate adjacent devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals, which hinders efficient communication and data sharing between devices.
Innovation Solution
The system measures real-time BLE signal strength indication (RSSI) data and compares it to pre-collected RSSI distribution models to determine the relative positions of adjacent devices, enabling effective communication and data sharing by forming a connected pair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If off-center antenna placement is used in commodity devices, then device layout flexibility is improved, but RSSI distribution asymmetry occurs making device positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally utilizing the asymmetric RSSI distribution pattern caused by off-center antenna placement. Instead of trying to correct or eliminate the asymmetry, the system creates asymmetric RSSI distribution models that match the actual physical layout of the antenna, thereby transforming the manufacturing constraint into a usable characteristic for accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-collecting and storing RSSI distribution models at various positions around the device before actual positioning is needed. These models are built in advance based on the known antenna layout, enabling fast and accurate position determination without requiring real-time calibration or complex computations during operation.
2Measurement precision
If real-time BLE signal strength measurement is performed, then device positioning capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system reduces complexity by performing all complex model-building and analysis operations in advance. RSSI distribution models are pre-collected at multiple positions around the device and stored for later use. During actual positioning, the system only needs to compare real-time measurements against these pre-built models, significantly simplifying the real-time processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating RSSI distribution models that represent the electromagnetic field patterns at different positions. These models serve as templates or copies of the expected signal behavior, allowing the system to determine device position by matching observed RSSI patterns against the pre-created model library without needing to understand or recalculate the complex electromagnetic physics in real-time.
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
This approach allows for accurate identification and communication between adjacent devices, improving data sharing and consumption by leveraging asymmetric BLE RSSI distributions, even in close proximity without the need for calibration.
Implementation Method 1
asymmetric radio frequency field and associated RSSI distribution around the device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for improving interactions with and between computers in a communication system supported by or configured with personal computing devices, servers and/or platforms. The systems interact to identify and retrieve data across computers and platforms, which can be used to improve the quality of data used in processing interactions between or among processors in such systems. The disclosed systems and methods perform spatial sensing in order to locate adjacent devices via asymmetric Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) received signal strength indication (RSSI) distributions. Such spatial location between adjacent devices enables the devices to communicate, share, generate and/or consume digital information as a single, connected and/or localized logical unit.