Directional Wireless Sensing via Machine Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current environment sensing systems, such as radar, are not usable in cellular communication systems as they lack communication functions and access to radio access networks, and require separate infrastructure, preventing them from leveraging cellular infrastructure for environment mapping.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a wireless communication system with directional communication capabilities to generate an environment information map by transmitting signals in various beam directions, extracting features, and training machine learning models to infer environmental information, leveraging cellular communication systems like mmWave 5G technology for detailed sensing and mapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radar systems are used for environment sensing, then sensing capability is achieved, but infrastructure complexity increases and cellular infrastructure cannot be leveraged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment sensing capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges environment sensing functionality with cellular communication infrastructure by using existing base stations and user equipment as both communication devices and sensing nodes. The cellular infrastructure performs dual functions: maintaining communication services while simultaneously extracting environmental information from communication signals, thereby eliminating the need for separate radar infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables cellular communication infrastructure to perform multiple functions simultaneously - communication and environment sensing. The same base stations and user equipment that handle data transmission also serve as sensing elements by extracting features from communication signals to infer environmental information, making the infrastructure universal and multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If traditional radar systems are deployed, then environment mapping is achieved, but access to radio access network metadata is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironment mapping accuracyVSAvoidradio access network metadata access

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the cellular communication system to serve its own environment sensing needs by utilizing its own infrastructure and metadata. Base stations and user equipment automatically extract environmental information from communication signals without requiring external radar systems,实现ing self-service sensing that maintains access to rich radio access network metadata.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If separate sensing infrastructure is used, then sensing function is achieved, but communication functions are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing functionVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines sensing and communication functions into a single integrated system where cellular base stations and user equipment simultaneously perform both communication and environment sensing. The same hardware infrastructure and signal transmissions serve dual purposes, providing both communication services and sensing capabilities without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables effective environment sensing and mapping, including relative locations of reflecting surfaces and obstructions, by utilizing directional communication capabilities within cellular systems, improving granularity and resolution, and allowing inference of non-communicating entities and weather conditions.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting a signal from a first transmitter to a receiver in a first beam direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

inferring an environment information map of the area between the first transmitter and the receiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11419162B2Method for extracting environment information leveraging directional communication

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Generating an environment information map from a wireless communication system having directional communication capabilities. A plurality of features are extracted and logged resultant from a communication link attempt at multiple beam directions and training at least one machine learning model based on the plurality of extracted features from the first beam direction and the at least one additional beam directions to infer an environment information map of the area between the first transmitter and the receiver.