Collocated GNSS and WLAN Control for Interference-Aware Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Collocated wireless systems, such as GNSS receivers and WLAN radios, experience interference due to spurious emissions in shared frequency bands, leading to degraded carrier-to-noise ratio and increased errors in geolocation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing non-collaborative and collaborative techniques to manage interference, including selective geolocation acquisition processes, adaptive power management, and client steering to reduce interference between GNSS and WLAN systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GNSS receiver and WLAN radio are collocated in the same device, then device functionality and integration are improved, but interference between the two systems increases leading to degraded geolocation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into separate functional modules: a WLAN radio module and a GNSS receiver module. Each module operates independently with its own processing unit, allowing the system to manage interference through modular control strategies such as selective signal processing and coordinated operation schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordination mechanism that manages interactions between the WLAN radio and GNSS receiver. This intermediary layer monitors interference levels and dynamically adjusts operation parameters, such as pausing WLAN transmissions during critical GNSS signal acquisition periods or applying filtering techniques to protect GNSS signals from WLAN spurious emissions.
2Productivity
If WLAN radio transmits at high power and high duty cycle, then wireless connectivity performance is improved, but interference to GNSS receiver increases leading to degraded carrier-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power and duty cycle adjustment for the WLAN radio based on real-time interference conditions. When GNSS signal quality deteriorates below a threshold, the system dynamically reduces WLAN transmit power or introduces transmission pauses, allowing the carrier-to-noise ratio to recover while maintaining overall connectivity performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic operation patterns where WLAN transmissions are scheduled to pause during intervals when GNSS signal acquisition or tracking is critical. This periodic action allows the GNSS receiver to operate in a lower interference environment, improving carrier-to-noise ratio while maintaining WLAN connectivity during non-critical periods.
3Measurement precision
If geolocation acquisition is performed continuously, then geolocation accuracy is improved, but interference from WLAN radio causes increased errors and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs geolocation acquisition in advance during periods of low WLAN interference, storing the acquired position data for later use. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain high geolocation accuracy when conditions permit, while avoiding acquisition attempts during high-interference periods that would result in errors or downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the system autonomously monitors interference levels and adjusts geolocation acquisition scheduling without external intervention. When interference exceeds thresholds, the system automatically pauses acquisition and uses previously acquired data, maintaining reliability while preserving the ability to resume high-accuracy acquisition when conditions improve.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for reducing wireless interference are provided. A wireless local area network (WLAN) is providing, by an access point using a first radio. It is determined to initiate a geolocation process for the access point using a second radio. A first amount of interference at the second radio caused by the first radio is determined, and either a hot start geolocation acquisition process or a cold start geolocation acquisition process is selectively used for the AP based on comparing the first amount of interference to one or more criteria.