Distributed Positioning Mechanism for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately determining the position of communication devices without consuming bandwidth or power, and require precise clock synchronization across access points, which is costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A distributed positioning mechanism where access points exchange positioning control messages, allowing communication devices to passively listen and calculate their position based on timing and position information from multiple independent pairs of access points, eliminating the need for synchronization and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional positioning techniques using TOA, RTT, or TDOA are employed, then position determination is achieved, but bandwidth consumption and power usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access points autonomously exchange positioning control messages with each other without requiring the target device to transmit or consume power for positioning. The target device passively receives pre-calculated position information, enabling self-service positioning where the network infrastructure performs the positioning work independently of the target device's power resources
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is extracted from the target device and relocated to the access points. Instead of the device actively participating in measurements, the access points perform mutual measurements and calculations, extracting the positioning burden from the device and eliminating its power consumption requirements
2Measurement precision
If precise clock synchronization across access points is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clock synchronization requirement is extracted and eliminated from the system. By having access points measure signal propagation times between themselves and exchange these measurements via positioning control messages, the patent removes the need for precise external synchronization infrastructure, achieving positioning without synchronized clocks
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning control messages serve as intermediaries that carry timing and position information between access points. These messages enable the access points to share their local timing references and measurements, allowing the system to function without requiring the access points to be pre-synchronized to a common clock
3Measurement precision
If active positioning methods are used where devices transmit signals, then position determination is achieved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access points perform mutual measurements and calculations independently, generating position information without requiring the target device to transmit any signals. The target device merely receives the pre-calculated position data, eliminating bandwidth consumption associated with active positioning protocols
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the target device transmitting signals to access points for positioning, the system inverts the approach: access points transmit positioning control messages to each other and share position information with the target device. This inversion eliminates the need for the target device to consume bandwidth for positioning transmissions
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless communication device can determine its position in accordance with a distributed positioning mechanism. The wireless communication device can detect positioning control messages exchanged between independent pairs of access points in a wireless communication network. The wireless communication device can determine position information associated with each access point of each of the pairs of access points and timing information associated with the pairs of access points based, at least in part, on the detected positioning control messages. The position of the wireless communication device can then be calculated based, at least in part, on the position information and the timing information associated with the pairs of access points.