Fine Timing Measurement Coordination for Nan Client Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in coordinating Time of Flight (ToF) measurements between peer-to-peer devices, especially when both devices are NAN client devices without an AP or NAN master, as they lack the necessary details for performing the ToF measurement procedure, such as initiating the process, wireless channel selection, and timing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure that allows devices to coordinate ToF measurements by exchanging FTM request and acknowledgement messages, determining Time of Departure and Arrival, and calculating the ToF to determine distance, even in the absence of an AP or NAN master, through a discovery frame that includes initiator and responder indications, availability information, and ToF measurement information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NAN client devices perform peer-to-peer ToF measurements without AP or NAN master coordination, then measurement independence and device autonomy are improved, but coordination reliability and measurement accuracy deteriorate due to lack of initialization details
Solution Approach 1:
The NAN client devices perform self-service by autonomously initiating and coordinating the FTM measurement procedure between themselves without requiring external coordination from an AP or NAN master. Each device independently manages the measurement process, exchanging FTM request and indication messages directly peer-to-peer.
Solution Approach 2:
The FTM measurement procedure acts as an intermediary framework that enables reliable coordination between NAN client devices. The standardized message exchange protocol (FTM request, FTM indication, FTM complete messages) serves as a mediator that ensures both devices have the necessary timing information for accurate ToF measurement.
2Measurement precision
If FTM procedure messages are exchanged between NAN client devices, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The FTM measurement procedure is segmented into distinct message exchange phases: FTM request message exchange, FTM indication message exchange, and FTM complete message exchange. Each phase handles specific coordination tasks, making the overall complex procedure manageable through modular implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The FTM procedure incorporates feedback mechanisms where each device responds to the other's messages with appropriate acknowledgments and timing information. The FTM indication message provides feedback about the measurement setup, and the FTM complete message confirms successful measurement, enabling both devices to verify proper operation.
3Ease of operation
If initiator and responder indications are included in discovery frames, then coordination capability is improved, but message overhead and communication burden worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery frame is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a NAN device discovery mechanism and as an FTM coordination initialization vehicle. By embedding initiator/responder indications and availability information directly in the discovery frame, the same message structure performs multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated coordination messages.
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
Enables accurate and coordinated ToF measurements between NAN client devices, allowing for precise distance calculation and enabling applications like proximity-based services, even in scenarios where traditional coordination mechanisms fail.
Implementation Method 1
communicating a discovery frame with a second wireless device, the discovery frame including an initiator indication to indicate whether a sender of the discovery frame is to be an initiator or a responder of a Time of Flight (ToF) measurement procedure
Implementation Method 2
performing the ToF measurement procedure with the second wireless device over the wireless channel during the one or more time intervals
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of performing a Time of Flight (ToF) measurement. For example, a first wireless device may include a radio to communicate a discovery frame with a second wireless device, the discovery frame including an initiator indication to indicate whether a sender of the discovery frame is to be an initiator or a responder of a Time of Flight (ToF) measurement procedure, and availability information to indicate a wireless channel and one or more time intervals; and a controller to perform the ToF measurement procedure with the second wireless device over the wireless channel during the one or more time intervals, the controller be either the initiator or responder of the ToF measurement according to the initiator indication.