FTM Broadcast Frame for Multi-Device Ranging Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fine timing measurement (FTM) methods require multiple interactions between communications devices and a response device, leading to long measurement times and low efficiency when multiple devices perform ranging simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A new FTM method where a response device broadcasts a single FTM measurement frame to multiple communications devices, including identifier information and measurement parameters, allowing them to perform measurements simultaneously and reduce interaction processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a response device sends multiple FTM measurement frames in a one-to-one manner to multiple communications devices, then each device can obtain accurate measurement parameters, but the measurement time increases and measurement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate FTM measurement frames into a single broadcast frame that contains measurement parameters for multiple communications devices simultaneously. This merging approach allows the response device to send one frame instead of multiple separate frames, reducing measurement time while maintaining accuracy for each device through identifier-based parameter matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The FTM measurement frame is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple communications devices simultaneously. The frame includes identifier information and measurement parameters for multiple devices, allowing a single frame to perform the measurement function for all devices rather than requiring separate dedicated frames for each device.
2Measurement precision
If a response device performs separate information exchange with multiple communications devices, then accurate measurement can be achieved, but channel resource usage increases and measurement efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple information exchange interactions into a single broadcast operation. Instead of the response device separately exchanging information with each communications device, it broadcasts a single frame containing all necessary measurement parameters, thereby reducing channel resource usage and improving measurement efficiency while maintaining accuracy.
3Productivity
If multiple communications devices perform ranging at the same time with one response device, then measurement efficiency can be improved, but information collision may occur without proper coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The response device performs preliminary action by broadcasting the FTM measurement frame with embedded identifier information and measurement parameters before the communications devices send their responses. This preliminary broadcast coordinates the measurement process and prevents information collision by establishing the measurement parameters in advance for all devices simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A fine timing measurement FTM method and a communications device are disclosed. The method includes: receiving an FTM request frame from at least two communications devices; and sending a first FTM measurement frame according to the FTM request frame, where the first FTM measurement frame includes a measurement parameter of each of the at least two communications devices and identifier information identifying each of the at least two communications devices, so that each communications device obtains the measurement parameter according to the identifier information.