Coordinating Access Points for Low-Bandwidth Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location estimation techniques in wireless communication networks face challenges with limited accuracy and high bandwidth consumption, particularly in crowded environments, making it difficult to perform precise indoor positioning and location estimation for multiple devices simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple coordinating access points (APs) that listen for location measurements and report measurement information to an initiating AP, reducing bandwidth consumption by using time-of-flight (ToF) and round trip time (RTT) measurements across synchronized or non-synchronized APs to estimate the location of a wireless device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location estimation techniques are used in crowded wireless environments, then bandwidth consumption increases, but location estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location estimation process by having multiple access points independently measure reference signal time of flight (RSToF) to a wireless device. Each AP performs separate measurements and reports results to a location manager, which then combines these segmented measurements to determine the device's location. This segmentation reduces bandwidth consumption compared to traditional methods where all APs would simultaneously exchange full measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
A location manager acts as an intermediary between multiple access points and the wireless device. The location manager collects RSToF measurements from multiple APs, processes this information, and determines the device's location without requiring direct extensive communication between all APs. This intermediary role optimizes bandwidth usage by centralizing the coordination and data aggregation function.
2Measurement precision
If multiple access points simultaneously perform location measurements, then measurement accuracy improves, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location estimation measurements where multiple access points periodically measure reference signal time of flight to wireless devices. The location manager coordinates these periodic measurements and combines results over time to improve accuracy. This periodic approach allows accurate multi-AP measurements while controlling bandwidth consumption by not continuously exchanging all measurement data simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If reference signals are transmitted for location estimation, then position determination is enabled, but bandwidth resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The reference signals transmitted in this system serve multiple functions: they enable location estimation through time of flight measurements, while also functioning as standard wireless communication signals for data transmission. The same reference signals are used by multiple access points for independent measurements, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning signals and thus optimizing bandwidth resource utilization.
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
Improves location estimation accuracy to decimeter or centimeter levels while minimizing bandwidth usage, enabling precise indoor positioning even in high-density areas like sporting events, by optimizing RTT measurements through coordinated APs.
Implementation Method 1
determining first time information based on a time of flight (ToF) of the request message and the response message, wherein the ToF corresponds to a distance of the wireless device from the AP
Implementation Method 2
using time-of-flight (ToF) and round trip time (RTT) measurements across synchronized or non-synchronized APs to estimate the location of a wireless device
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for identifying a location of a wireless device. A method for identifying a location of a wireless device includes transmitting a request message to the wireless device for identifying a position of the wireless device; receiving a response message from the wireless device; determining first time information based on a time of flight (ToF) of the request message and the response message, wherein the ToF corresponds to a distance of the wireless device from the AP; receiving a second message from a second AP that includes second time information associated with the request message and the response message; receiving a third message from a third AP that includes third time information associated with the request message and the response message; and transmitting location configuration information to the wireless device for the wireless device to determine a position of the wireless device.