Fine Timing Measurement Protocol Using Null Data Packets

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) protocols in indoor navigation face inefficiencies, including high power consumption, non-symmetrical measurements, and increased computational burden on responder devices, especially in multi-user scenarios, due to the need for multiple medium usages and unknown waiting times.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Fine Timing Measurement protocol utilizing Null Data Packets (NDPs) for atomic operations, supporting MIMO and precoding techniques, which allows for symmetrical calculations, reduced computational burden, and efficient single medium usage, enabling accurate location estimation with reduced power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional FTM protocols use multiple medium usages for measurements, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but power consumption increases and measurement time extends

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation estimation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple medium usages into a single atomic operation by implementing symmetrical FTM measurements where both initiator and responder devices perform measurements simultaneously during one medium access, eliminating the need for separate medium usages while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes predetermined symmetrical measurement procedures where both devices are pre-configured to perform measurements simultaneously, eliminating unknown waiting times and reducing overall measurement time and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional FTM protocols use multiple medium usages, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sequential medium usages into a single atomic operation by implementing simultaneous symmetrical measurements, reducing measurement time while maintaining reliability through coordinated dual-device measurement execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous useful action by having both initiator and responder devices perform measurements simultaneously without idle waiting periods, eliminating unknown waiting times and reducing total measurement time while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional FTM protocols perform non-symmetrical measurements, then device compatibility is improved, but computational burden on responder devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcomputational burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent intentionally introduces symmetry into the measurement process by having both initiator and responder devices perform identical measurement operations, distributing computational burden equally and reducing the burden on responder devices while maintaining device compatibility through standardized procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables both devices to serve themselves by performing measurements independently and simultaneously, with each device calculating its own measurements without requiring extensive processing by the responder, thereby reducing computational burden while maintaining compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If traditional FTM protocols use multiple medium usages in multi-user scenarios, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but scalability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation estimation accuracyVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple medium usages into single atomic operations for each device pair, enabling more simultaneous measurements across multiple users without increasing overall medium usage, thereby improving scalability while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal measurement framework where symmetrical measurement procedures can be applied across all device pairs simultaneously, enabling scalable multi-user scenarios while maintaining consistent measurement accuracy through standardized atomic operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11026207B2Apparatus, system and method of fine timing measurement (FTM)

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of Fine Timing Measurement (FTM). For example, a first wireless station may be configured to transmit an FTM request message to a second wireless station; to transmit a first Non Data Packet (NDP) to the second wireless station; to process an FTM response message from the second wireless station; and to process a second NDP from the second wireless station.