Simultaneous Data Transmission and Distance Measurement via Time Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems and driverless transport systems face challenges in simultaneous data transmission and accurate distance measurement, particularly due to the need for additional hardware, line-of-sight requirements for optical methods, and the complexity of barcode-based systems, which lead to inefficiencies and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a single communication channel for both data transmission and distance measurement by measuring the time offset between data packets transmitted between devices, eliminating the need for separate hardware and allowing for precise distance calculation using statistical evaluation and system clock synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate hardware is used for distance measurement and data transmission, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines distance measurement and data transmission functions into a single communication channel. The same transceiver hardware is used for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate distance measurement hardware. The distance measurement is achieved by analyzing the time offset of data packets transmitted over the shared communication channel, thus merging two functions into one hardware system.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication channel and transceiver are designed to serve multiple functions: both data transmission and distance measurement. By making the hardware universal, the system achieves distance measurement capability without adding dedicated measurement hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision through sophisticated signal analysis.
2Measurement precision
If optical distance measurement is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to line-of-sight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical distance measurement (which requires line-of-sight) with radio frequency-based measurement using the existing communication channel. This substitution eliminates the line-of-sight constraint while maintaining measurement precision, as the RF signals can penetrate obstacles and work in non-line-of-sight conditions, significantly improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If barcodes are used for position determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional scanners and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the distance measurement capability from separate physical markers (barcodes) and scanners, and instead embeds it within the existing data communication protocol. By extracting the measurement function from physical infrastructure and integrating it into the digital communication layer, the system achieves position determination without requiring additional scanners or physical markers, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication channel serves itself dual purposes: transmitting data and simultaneously enabling distance measurement. The same infrastructure that carries data traffic also provides positioning information through timing analysis, eliminating the need for dedicated measurement infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
4Device complexity
If a single communication channel is used for both data transmission and distance measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary actions to isolate the measurement signals from data signals in the shared communication channel. By using dedicated preamble sequences, synchronization markers, and time-division multiplexing techniques, the system prepares the communication channel to separately carry measurement information alongside data, preventing interference and maintaining measurement precision despite the shared medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to compensate for interference and maintain measurement precision. By continuously monitoring the communication channel characteristics and adjusting the measurement algorithm parameters accordingly, the system compensates for the presence of data traffic, ensuring accurate distance measurement even when sharing the channel with high-rate data transmission.
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 enables accurate and cost-effective simultaneous data transmission and distance measurement with reduced hardware complexity, achieving sub-sample accuracy and millimeter precision in distance measurement without additional hardware for distance measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a first data packet is transmitted from the first device to at least one second device and a second data packet is transmitted from the second device to the first device
Implementation Method 2
the time offset between edges of the data packets and the respective system clock being measured several times
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for simultaneous data transmission and distance measurement between a first device and at least a second device, wherein the first device and the second device each have a data transmission device and a control unit coupled to the data transmission device, each control unit having a predetermined system clock, and the devices are connected by means of a communication medium. A first data packet is transmitted from the first device to at least a second device, and a second data packet is transmitted from the second device to the first device, or a first data packet is transmitted from at least a second device to the first device, and a second data packet is transmitted from the first device to the second device, wherein the distance between the first device and the second device is determined based on the transmitted data packets.The time offset of the edges of the data packets from the respective system clock is measured several times.