Cluster-Based GNSS Positioning for Low-Battery Terminal Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the positions of terminal devices, such as sensors attached to livestock or wild animals, result in high operation and maintenance costs due to frequent battery drain from constant transmission of position data.
Innovation Solution
A server allocates terminal devices to clusters based on shared behavior and movement patterns, assigning transmission patterns to minimize redundant GNSS information transmission, using context data to update clusters for accuracy and optimize power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If terminal devices continuously transmit position data to the server, then position tracking accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases and operation cost worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments terminal devices into clusters based on their spatial proximity and movement patterns. Instead of treating each device individually, the system groups them into clusters where devices share similar trajectories. This segmentation allows the server to determine cluster-level positions rather than individual positions, significantly reducing the number of transmission events required while maintaining acceptable tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic cluster updates rather than continuous individual transmissions. The server periodically determines new cluster assignments based on accumulated position data and updates transmission patterns accordingly. This periodic action reduces energy consumption by allowing terminal devices to enter low-power states between update cycles while still maintaining position tracking capability.
2Loss of information
If all terminal devices transmit individual GNSS information constantly, then complete position data is obtained, but data redundancy increases and operation cost worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position information of multiple terminal devices at the cluster level. The server determines a representative position for each cluster that reflects the collective position of all devices within it. This merging approach eliminates redundant transmission of nearly identical position data from individual devices while preserving the essential positional information needed for tracking applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cluster position data as a representative copy for individual device positions within the cluster. Instead of requiring each device to transmit its exact position, the system uses the cluster's determined position as a sufficient approximation. This copying strategy reduces data transmission volume while maintaining acceptable accuracy for applications with tolerance ranges.
3Device complexity
If transmission patterns are fixed for all terminal devices, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different movement patterns worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission patterns that adapt to each terminal device's movement characteristics. The server analyzes movement patterns and adjusts transmission requirements based on factors such as speed, direction changes, and cluster stability. Devices with stable positions can transmit less frequently, while devices with highly variable positions receive higher transmission priorities. This dynamic approach balances system complexity with adaptability to diverse movement behaviors.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining positions of a plurality of terminal devices by a server includes receiving by the server from the terminal devices, each allocated to one of predetermined one or more clusters, first global navigation satellite system (GNSS) information according to predetermined transmission patterns of the terminal devices, and second GNSS information at random. The method includes collecting context related data from one or more context sources, and updating, by the server, the set of predetermined clusters based on a part of the context related data and the first and the second GNSS information and a predetermined criteria of cluster's level of accuracy. The method further includes determining, by the server, based on the first and the second GNSS information and on the updated clusters, respective positions of the clusters and individual positions of the terminal devices according to the respective positions of the clusters.