Flexible GNSS/WLAN Receiver With Shared Receive Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless devices face challenges in efficiently utilizing shared resources for both wireless communication and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) operations, leading to increased costs and reduced network performance during positioning tasks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where wireless nodes, such as access points, dynamically configure receive chains to alternate between WLAN and GNSS operations, allowing shared use of hardware components like RF and ADC converters, while maintaining network communication during GNSS measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated GNSS receivers are installed in wireless nodes, then positioning capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling wireless nodes (access points) to perform both wireless communication and GNSS positioning operations using shared receive chains. The system allows the same hardware resources to serve dual purposes: serving as either a WLAN access point or a GNSS receiver, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated GNSS receivers and reducing device cost while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the GNSS positioning function with the existing wireless network infrastructure by combining GNSS receive chains with WLAN access point functionality. This integration allows the access point to share its receive chains with client devices for positioning operations, effectively merging positioning capabilities into the network infrastructure and reducing overall system cost.
2Measurement precision
If receive chains are allocated for GNSS operations, then positioning accuracy is improved, but network communication performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the access point can switch between serving wireless clients and performing GNSS operations based on real-time needs. The system dynamically configures receive chains to be used for either network communication or positioning measurements, allowing flexible adaptation to changing operational requirements and maintaining both network performance and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic scheduling where GNSS positioning operations are performed at specific time intervals rather than continuously. The access point schedules positioning measurements during periods when network traffic allows, enabling periodic GNSS data collection that improves positioning accuracy without continuously impacting network communication performance.
3Device complexity
If receive chains are shared between WLAN and GNSS operations, then device cost is reduced, but positioning reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the access point monitors network conditions and positioning requirements to dynamically adjust resource allocation. The system uses feedback from network traffic patterns and positioning requests to determine when to allocate receive chains for GNSS operations, ensuring reliable positioning when needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness through shared resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for obtaining global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements utilizing shared resources in a wireless node, such as an access point in a wireless wide area network (WLAN). An example method for obtaining a position estimate with an access point includes receiving, with one or more receive chains in the access point, radio frequency signals associated with a wireless network transmitted from a plurality of user equipment, determining a positioning opportunity, receiving, with at least one of the one or more receive chains, radio frequency signals transmitted from a satellite vehicle based at least in part on determining the positioning opportunity, and estimating a position of the access point based at least in part on the radio frequency signals transmitted from the satellite vehicle.