Fingerprinting Using Function-Based Matching Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Classic fingerprinting approaches in wireless communications are susceptible to interference from temporary effects such as moving objects and environmental changes, leading to inaccurate positioning of user equipment (UE).

Innovation Solution

The method employs multiple receiver beams and dynamic beam configurations to capture and store signal strength patterns over time, using function-based matching to improve positioning accuracy by accounting for changes in signal characteristics and antenna directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If classic fingerprinting approaches are used with single received signal strength per base station, then the system is simple to implement, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to interference from temporary effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static single-snapshot fingerprinting to dynamic multi-snapshot fingerprinting. The system captures multiple signal strength measurements at different time instances and uses temporal patterns to distinguish between permanent and temporary environmental effects, thereby improving positioning accuracy without requiring overly complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action through the calibration phase, where reference measurements are captured and stored in advance under various environmental conditions. This pre-acquired data enables the system to later differentiate between normal variations and temporary interference, improving measurement precision while maintaining implementation simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple receiver beams and dynamic beam configurations are used to capture signal patterns over time, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidbeam management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamics by utilizing multiple receiver beams that can be dynamically configured and switched. The system captures signal strength patterns across different beam directions and time instances, creating a multi-dimensional fingerprint that improves positioning accuracy while managing complexity through structured beam management procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the receiving function into multiple independent receiver beams. Each beam captures signal information from specific spatial directions, and the system combines these segmented measurements to form a comprehensive fingerprint profile, thereby improving accuracy without requiring a single overly complex receiver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If function-based matching is used to account for changes in signal characteristics, then robustness is improved, but measurement and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverobustnessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calibrating the system to capture reference signal patterns under various environmental conditions and storing them in a database. During operation, the system compares current measurements against this pre-established reference data, simplifying the matching process while maintaining high robustness against environmental variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors signal characteristics and compares them against stored reference patterns. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to environmental changes and distinguish between permanent features and temporary interference, improving reliability while managing processing complexity through efficient pattern matching algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4128827B1Methods and apparatuses for fingerprinting employing function-based matching patterns
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP4128827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4128827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4128827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The embodiments herein relate to method performed by a measurement device (801, 1000), the method comprising: receiving (901), via higher layer signalling, information on resources or resource sets of one or more radio transmission devices transmitting one or more beam signals associated with said resources or resource sets; performing (902) channel measurements of the one or more beam signals, per spatial filter or receiver beam of the measurement device; storing (903), over at least one time frame, the channel measurements into measurement groups, where each measurement group corresponds to the channel measurements performed using the same spatial filter of the measurement device; and reporting (904) the measurement groups to a network node (804, 1200) or correlating the measurements of each measurement group with reference data for each available time frame individually and reporting the result of the correlation to the network node (804, 1200). The embodiments also relate to a method performed by a network node (804, 1200).