Fine Timing Measurement Request for Indoor RTT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current satellite positioning systems face challenges in accurately measuring round trip time (RTT) for indoor positioning, which is essential for enhanced location-based services in indoor environments, as existing methods are inefficient and require multiple messages to achieve accurate range measurements.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting a fine timing measurement request message between wireless stations, allowing for the specification of parameters such as burst periods and minimum time between messages, enabling efficient RTT measurement by reducing the number of messages needed for accurate range calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional RTT measurement methods are used, then indoor positioning can be achieved, but the number of messages required is large and measurement efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRTT measurement efficiencyVSAvoidTime for completing RTT measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple RTT measurement procedures into a single integrated message exchange. The fine timing measurement request message merges functionality previously requiring separate messages, allowing both devices to perform RTT measurements simultaneously through coordinated timestamp exchange, thereby reducing the total number of messages and improving measurement efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary timing synchronization and parameter configuration before the actual RTT measurement. The fine timing measurement request message includes pre-configured parameters such as burst periods and minimum time between messages, allowing devices to prepare measurement windows in advance and reduce the time required for actual measurement execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple messages are exchanged for RTT measurement, then measurement accuracy can be improved, but message overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRTT measurement accuracyVSAvoidMessage exchange complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fine timing measurement request message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it initiates RTT measurement, configures measurement parameters, requests fine timing information, and establishes burst transmission patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate messages needed while maintaining measurement accuracy through comprehensive parameter specification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces configurable parameters such as burst period and minimum time between messages that allow optimization of measurement accuracy without increasing message count. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve precise RTT measurements while controlling message overhead and simplifying the exchange protocol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3005802B1Methods and systems for enhanced round trip time (RTT) exchange
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3005802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3005802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3005802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, methods and devices for obtaining round trip time measurements for use in location based services. In particular implementations, a fine timing measurement request message wirelessly transmitted by a first transceiver device to a second transceiver device may permit additional processing features in computing or applying a signal round trip time measurement. Such a signal round trip time measurement may be used in positioning operations.