Differential Location Accuracy via Neighboring UWB Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks, such as WiFi, provide limited location accuracy for certain devices, particularly those requiring higher precision like automated guided vehicles (AGVs), necessitating improved location determination methods.
Innovation Solution
An access point communicates a report indicating neighboring location devices, such as UWB anchors, to client devices requesting enhanced accuracy, allowing them to connect and utilize additional technologies like UWB or Bluetooth for precise location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If WiFi networks use standard location technologies (RSSI, FTM), then the network infrastructure remains simple and easy to operate, but location accuracy is insufficient for devices like AGVs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location devices (UWB anchors, Bluetooth beacons) as intermediary components that work alongside the existing WiFi access points. These location devices provide enhanced location accuracy through specialized technologies while the WiFi network maintains its simple infrastructure role. The access points coordinate with location devices to deliver multi-technology location services without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point is designed to perform multiple functions: it continues to provide standard WiFi connectivity while also coordinating location determination using multiple technologies (RSSI, FTM, UWB, Bluetooth). By integrating support for various location technologies and automatically selecting appropriate methods based on device capabilities and availability, the access point achieves universal location service provision without requiring separate dedicated systems for each technology.
2Measurement precision
If the access point provides multiple location technologies itself, then location accuracy is improved, but the access point complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of equipping each access point with multiple location technologies, the patent uses location devices (UWB anchors, Bluetooth beacons) as intermediaries that provide specialized location services. The access points simply coordinate and communicate location information from these dedicated location devices, maintaining their own simplicity while achieving enhanced location accuracy through collaboration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments location services into separate functional components: access points handle wireless connectivity and basic coordination, while dedicated location devices (UWB anchors, Bluetooth beacons) handle precise location measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without burdening the access point with complex location determination capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically selects location technologies, then ease of operation is improved, but the system requires more complex decision-making logic
Solution Approach 1:
The access point receives capability information from client devices indicating their supported location technologies, and uses this feedback to automatically select appropriate location determination methods. The system continuously monitors availability of location devices and adjusts its behavior accordingly, providing adaptive automatic selection that simplifies operation while using practical decision-making logic based on real-time system state and device capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a system that provides different levels of location accuracy to different types of devices using different types of location technologies (e.g., RSSI, FTM, UWB, Bluetooth). An access point includes a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor provides a location determination for a client device according to a first accuracy level and in response to receiving, from the client device, a request for a second accuracy level of location determination greater than the first accuracy level, determines a location device that provides the second accuracy level. The processor also communicates, to the client device, a report indicating a neighboring access point and the location device.