Distributed Antenna System Location Estimation via Signal Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed-antenna wireless telecommunications systems, accurately estimating the location of a wireless terminal is challenging due to overlapping and non-overlapping service areas, where signals from multiple antennas create ambiguity in signal reception patterns, making it difficult to determine the terminal's location solely based on received signals.
Innovation Solution
By radiating different combinations of radio signals from various antennas, creating distinct service areas with varying signal strengths, allowing location estimation based on the identity and absence of signals received above a threshold, and using locally-averaged signal strength to disambiguate ambiguous locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If identical signals are transmitted from multiple spatially-separated antennas to expand service area, then service coverage is improved, but location estimation accuracy deteriorates due to signal ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service area into distinct regions by assigning different signal combinations to different antennas. Instead of transmitting identical signals from all antennas, each antenna or antenna group transmits unique signal combinations, creating identifiable service area segments that enable accurate location estimation while maintaining expanded coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making signal characteristics location-dependent. Different geographic regions receive different signal combinations from antennas, creating unique signal fingerprints for each location. This allows the system to maintain broad service coverage while providing location-specific signal patterns for accurate terminal positioning.
2Measurement precision
If different signal combinations are radiated from different antennas to enable location estimation, then location discrimination is improved, but service capacity is reduced due to non-overlapping service areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic signal assignment where antennas can switch between different signal combinations based on operational requirements. The system can dynamically adjust which antennas transmit which signal combinations, allowing flexible optimization between location discrimination accuracy and service capacity depending on current system needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of signal combinations from antennas. Antennas can periodically change their transmitted signal patterns, creating time-varying service areas that overlap at different times. This periodic action allows the system to achieve both good location discrimination (when signals are distinct) and adequate service capacity (through temporal overlap of service areas).
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless telecommunications system that employs a distributed-antenna system is described in which different combinations of radio signals are assigned to antennas so as to facilitate locating a wireless terminal based on the identity and the relative signal strength of the radio signals it receives above a signal-strength threshold.