Device Localization with Directional Signals to Resolve Equidistant Ambiguity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network management systems face ambiguities and inaccuracies in determining the location of wireless devices due to equidistant positions and environmental interference, leading to incorrect placement on site maps, especially in areas with fewer reference devices.
Innovation Solution
Integrate directional information of signals, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals, with distance measurements to resolve localization ambiguities and compensate for inaccurate distance measurements, using a network management system to determine a candidate position based on signal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distance measurements are used to determine device location, then location determination can be performed with simple equipment, but ambiguous results occur when devices are equidistant from reference devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D distance-based location determination to 3D positioning by incorporating directional information (azimuth and elevation angles) from antenna arrays. This additional dimensional data resolves the ambiguity of equidistant positions by providing angular constraints that uniquely identify device locations in three-dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces directional information as an intermediary parameter between distance measurements and final location determination. By using azimuth and elevation angles from antenna arrays as intermediate data, the system can disambiguate multiple possible locations that arise from distance-only measurements.
2Loss of information
If only distance measurements are used, then the system requires fewer parameters, but environmental interference causes inaccurate distance measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent measurement types (distance measurements and directional information from antenna arrays) into a unified location determination system. This merging of measurement modalities provides redundancy that compensates for environmental interference affecting individual measurements, improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses directional information as feedback to validate and correct distance measurements. By comparing the directional data from antenna arrays with the calculated location from distance measurements, the system can detect and compensate for measurement errors caused by environmental interference.
3Measurement precision
If directional information is integrated with distance measurements, then location accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the antenna array serve multiple functions: it provides both directional information for location determination and maintains wireless communication functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while still achieving improved location accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques describe a network management system comprising a memory and processing circuitry configured to obtain distance measurements between at least two devices at a site, wherein the at least two devices comprise at least one reference device positioned at a known location and a target device relative to the at least one reference device positioned at an unknown location. The processing circuitry may further be configured to obtain directional information specifying a direction of one or more signals communicated between the at least one reference device and the target device. The processing circuitry may further be configured to determine, based on the distance measurements and the directional information, a plurality of possible positions of the target device relative to the at least one reference device. The processing circuitry may further be configured to determine, based on the directional information, a candidate position from the plurality of possible positions.