Fiber Optic Array Cables for Indoor Object Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately tracking the location of objects within indoor environments due to limited communication paths and interference, particularly in areas requiring high bandwidth and precise ranging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of fiber optic array cables with multiple reference units, each equipped with antennas and electrical-to-optical converters, enables the transmission of RF signals like UWB-IR signals over optical fibers, providing enhanced reliability and accurate three-dimensional tracking by creating multiple communication paths and maintaining accurate ranging capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless communication systems use traditional RF signal transmission for indoor tracking, then the system structure is simple, but the tracking accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to limited communication paths and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical fiber as an intermediary medium to transmit RF signals for location tracking. Instead of direct RF transmission between antennas, the system uses optical fiber cables to carry modulated optical signals that represent RF signal characteristics, thereby achieving accurate tracking while immune to RF interference and multipath effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic RF signal transmission with optical signal transmission through fiber optic cables. This substitution eliminates the problems of RF interference and limited communication paths by using a different physical domain (optical instead of electromagnetic RF), thereby improving tracking precision
2Reliability
If multiple reference units are deployed to enhance tracking reliability, then the tracking reliability improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reference units and their optical fiber connections into a single integrated fiber optic array cable system. Multiple reference units are distributed along the cable at different locations, allowing simultaneous tracking from multiple points while using a unified cable infrastructure rather than separate cable systems for each reference unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes reference units along the spatial dimension of the fiber optic cable, placing them at different positions along the cable length. This spatial distribution enables multiple communication paths and improves tracking reliability by providing geometric diversity in signal reception
3Productivity
If optical fiber cables are used for high-bandwidth communication, then the communication bandwidth and ranging accuracy improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic array cable serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high-bandwidth communication channels, enables precise ranging through time-of-flight measurements, and supports multiple reference units for improved tracking reliability. This multi-functionality justifies the optical infrastructure by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single system
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
This solution enhances the reliability and accuracy of object tracking in indoor environments by utilizing optical fibers for high-bandwidth communication, ensuring stable and precise location determination even in complex settings.
Implementation Method 1
Each reference unit in the fiber optic array cable can include an antenna, and an electrical-to-optical (E/O) converter
Implementation Method 2
an optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter to convert electrical RF signals to optical RF signals, and vice versa
Data Source
AI summary
Fiber optic array cables and related systems and methods to determine and/or track locations of objects are disclosed. The fiber optic array cables can be employed in an optical-fiber-based communication system, including a centralized optical-fiber based communication system. In one embodiment, the fiber optic array cable is configured to carry optical RF or radio-over-fiber (RoF) signals to establish communications with objects. The fiber optic array cable includes multiple reference units along the length of the cable. The reference units can be configured to convert received optical RF signals into electrical RF signals to establish RF communications with objects capable of receiving electrical RF signals. The reference units are also configured to convert received electrical RF signals from the objects into optical RF signals, which are then used to determine the location of the object. Having the availability of the multiple reference units on one or more the fiber optic array cables can provide enhanced reliability in tracking objects.