Vehicle Access Using BLE and UWB Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-wide band (UWB) ranging for vehicle access is affected by shielding and blocking, and has high energy consumption, which negatively impacts user experience and the ability to change the central locking system without localization.
Innovation Solution
Combining Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) sensor data with UWB sensor data to determine the position of user equipment, activating the UWB sensor only when necessary, and utilizing different propagation characteristics to reduce the impact of blocking and shadowing effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB ranging is used to determine position for vehicle access, then positioning accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by first employing BLE for coarse positioning and then activating UWB only when the UE enters a predefined spatial area. This periodic/conditional activation of the high-power UWB sensor based on triggering conditions (entry into proximity zone) reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining accurate positioning when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
BLE serves as an intermediary sensor that performs initial positioning and triggers UWB activation only when necessary. The BLE sensor mediates between the low-accuracy/low-power and high-accuracy/high-power positioning modes, optimizing the balance between energy consumption and positioning precision.
2Measurement precision
If UWB sensor is continuously activated for accurate positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB sensor operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when BLE detects the UE within the predefined spatial area. This periodic operation based on triggering events significantly reduces energy loss while maintaining positioning accuracy during critical access moments.
Solution Approach 2:
BLE performs preliminary positioning assessment before activating UWB. By pre-screening UE position using low-power BLE, the system avoids unnecessary UWB activation and associated energy loss, only engaging UWB when the preliminary check indicates potential vehicle access intent.
3Use of energy by moving object
If only BLE sensor is used for positioning, then energy consumption is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into two stages: coarse positioning using BLE and fine positioning using UWB. Each sensor handles the positioning task appropriate to its capabilities, with BLE providing initial location assessment and UWB providing precise positioning when needed, optimizing both energy consumption and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between BLE-only and combined BLE-UWB positioning based on real-time conditions. When UE is far from the vehicle, only BLE operates; when UE enters the predefined spatial area, UWB activates to provide enhanced accuracy for access determination.
4Measurement precision
If UWB ranging is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but susceptibility to shielding and blocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges BLE and UWB positioning data to compensate for UWB's susceptibility to shielding and blocking. BLE signals, operating at different frequencies and propagation characteristics, provide alternative path information that can overcome obstacles blocking UWB signals, maintaining reliable positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system uses a composite approach combining two different sensing technologies (BLE and UWB) with different propagation characteristics. This composite sensing strategy leverages the complementary strengths of each technology to overcome the weaknesses of individual sensors, particularly UWB's vulnerability to shielding and blocking.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments relate to method 100 for permitting an access to a vehicle. The method comprises obtaining 110 first sensor data indicative of a position of user equipment configured to unlock the vehicle from a Bluetooth low energy sensor and determining 120 a first position of the user equipment relative to the vehicle based on the first sensor data. The method 100 further comprises activating 130 an ultra-wide band sensor based on the determined first position and obtaining 140 second sensor data indicative of a position of the user equipment from the ultra-wide band sensor. The method 100 further comprises determining 150 a second position of the user equipment relative to the vehicle based on the second sensor data and permitting 160 an access to the vehicle based on the second position of the user equipment.