Content-Based Packet Synchronization for Unsynchronized Wireless Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for synchronizing data packets received by unsynchronized receivers are complex and costly, requiring synchronized clock mechanisms and infrastructure, which limits their deployment and accuracy in locating wireless transmitters, especially for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that correlate data packets based on their content using arbitrary-length content mapping functions, eliminating the need for synchronized receivers by computing unique identifiers for each packet, which are then synchronized using a common time base and sampling time base, allowing for accurate location determination of wireless transmitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronized clock mechanisms and infrastructure are used to synchronize data packets received by unsynchronized receivers, then the accuracy of location determination is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the physical clock infrastructure and relocates it to the data processing layer. By computing unique identifiers based on packet content and using arbitrary-length content mapping functions, the system achieves synchronization without requiring synchronized clocks or complex timing infrastructure at the receiver level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical clock synchronization system with a software-based content hashing approach. Instead of using hardware timers and clock signals to synchronize receivers, the system uses content-based identifier computation and arbitrary-length content mapping to achieve synchronization in the data processing domain.
2Reliability
If synchronized clock mechanisms are deployed to ensure accurate data packet synchronization, then the reliability of location determination is improved, but the cost and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, simple receivers without synchronized clocks by using content-based identification. The unique identifiers computed from packet content serve as temporary, disposable synchronization markers that eliminate the need for expensive clock synchronization hardware while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces content-based unique identifiers as an intermediary between the unsynchronized receivers and the location determination system. These identifiers act as mediators that enable reliable correlation of data packets from multiple receivers without requiring the receivers themselves to be synchronized or expensive.
3Measurement precision
If complex clock synchronization infrastructure is used, then the accuracy of data packet correlation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization function from the receiver hardware and places it in the data processing layer. By dividing the packet into content fields and computing unique identifiers from specific portions, the system achieves precise correlation without requiring complex synchronized receivers, simplifying individual device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for synchronizing data packets received by distinct unsynchronized receivers from a wireless transmitter. Each of a plurality of distinct unsynchronized receivers having no common time base may receive data packets transmitted by a wireless transmitter and in addition to computing reception data may compute a respective identifier (ID) for each of the packets based on the content of the respective packet which may temporally unique for at least a certain period of time compared to other data packets. A synchronization unit may receive the IDs associated with their reception data and may correlate between similar data packets based on their IDs. The synchronization unit may further output the correlated IDs coupled with their respective reception data to one or more apparatuses configured to process jointly the reception data associated with at least some of the correlated IDs.