Dual-Band Ranging Localization for Low-Power UWB Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

UWB ranging systems face high power consumption in receiving devices due to large bandwidths, limiting battery endurance and transmission distance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual-frequency communication approach with a narrowband communication frequency band for configuration information and a wideband communication frequency band for ranging information, enabling time synchronization only in the narrowband band to reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If UWB ranging is used with large bandwidth, then ranging accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication process into two distinct frequency bands: a first frequency band for time synchronization and configuration information exchange, and a second frequency band for ranging information transmission. This segmentation allows the receiving device to activate the high-bandwidth second frequency band only intermittently for ranging measurements rather than continuously, thereby maintaining ranging accuracy while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving device performs ranging measurements periodically by activating the second frequency band only at specific moments when ranging information is transmitted, rather than continuously monitoring. This periodic action pattern allows the device to achieve necessary ranging accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous high-bandwidth reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Speed

If UWB signal bandwidth is increased, then transmission rate is improved, but battery endurance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission rateVSAvoidbattery endurance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the communication function across two frequency bands where the second band provides high transmission rate for ranging data while the first band handles lower-rate synchronization. The receiving device activates the high-rate second band only temporarily during ranging information reception, maintaining transmission performance when needed while preserving battery endurance through selective activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Time synchronization is performed in advance using the first frequency band before ranging measurements in the second band. This preliminary synchronization action allows the receiving device to quickly acquire timing information and then efficiently receive ranging information in the high-bandwidth second band without prolonged activation, thereby maintaining transmission rate while extending battery endurance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If time synchronization is performed in both frequency bands, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Time synchronization is performed once in advance using the first frequency band before ranging measurements in the second band. This preliminary synchronization establishes accurate timing reference that can be used for subsequent ranging operations, eliminating the need to repeat synchronization in the second band and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The time synchronization information obtained in the first frequency band is reused and applied to the ranging measurements in the second frequency band. Instead of performing independent synchronization in both bands, the system copies the synchronization timing from the first band to guide the reception of ranging information in the second band, reducing redundant operations and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4708978A1Ranging-based localization method, apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4708978A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4708978A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4708978A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This application provides a ranging and positioning method and system, and an apparatus. The method includes: A first device receives first configuration information, second configuration information, and third configuration information through a first communication frequency band, and receives first ranging information, second ranging information, and third ranging information through a second communication frequency band. A bandwidth used in the second communication frequency band is greater than a bandwidth used in the first communication frequency band. After completing time synchronization with a first terminal device in the first communication frequency band based on the first configuration information, the first device determines a moment at which the first ranging information arrives, and receives the first ranging information. A location of the first device is determined based on time differences of arrival between the first ranging information, the second ranging information, and the third ranging information. The method can reduce operating power consumption of a receiving device and enhance battery endurance of the device.