Handset Agent Calibration for Timing-Based Locating Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately locating mobile devices due to unsynchronized macrocells, leading to location inaccuracies of up to +/-200-500 meters when using observed time differences for multilateration or triangulation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a handset agent on mobile devices with GPS receivers to upload observed time differences and location coordinates to an internet server, where these data are translated to reference time differences, allowing for more accurate location determination of other mobile devices by compensating for timing differences between unsynchronized macrocells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If observed time differences are used for multilateration or triangulation in unsynchronized macrocells, then location determination can be performed, but location accuracy deteriorates to +/-200-500 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration before actual location determination. Handset agents collect observed time differences at known GPS locations and upload this data to a server, which pre-calculates reference time differences for each macrocell. These reference values are stored and applied during subsequent location calculations, eliminating the need for real-time synchronization while achieving high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the calibration process where observed time differences from handset agents are collected, analyzed, and used to generate reference time differences. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from actual measurements and adjust the timing references, thereby compensating for macrocell synchronization issues and improving location accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If handset agents with GPS receivers are deployed to calibrate timing, then location accuracy improves to within meters, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling handset agents to autonomously perform calibration activities. The agents automatically collect observed time differences, determine their own GPS locations, and upload calibration data without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration. This automation reduces the operational complexity despite adding technical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a calibration server that mediates between handset agents and the location determination system. The server collects calibration data from multiple agents, processes the information, and generates reference time differences that are distributed to the network. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall architecture by centralizing the complex calibration computations.
3Measurement precision
If multiple handset agents collect and upload calibration data to internet servers, then timing calibration accuracy improves, but loss of time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by having handset agents collect calibration data at specific intervals rather than continuously. The agents perform measurements and uploads periodically during available time windows, which reduces overall time consumption while maintaining calibration accuracy. This periodic approach allows the system to balance precision requirements with time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The systems and methods disclosed herein can implement a handset agent calibration solution that uses the GPS receivers on mobile devices to determine a location of the mobile device to calibrate timing based locating systems. The handset agent can be installed on the mobile device and can upload to an internet server the coordinates captured by the GPS receiver along with the observed time differences. The observed time differences and the location of the mobile device can be used to solve for reference time differences to calibrate unsynchronized macrocells. The reference time difference can be used to solve for the location of other mobile devices if the observed time differences between that mobile device and the macrocells are known. The solution can include receiving measurement reports from many mobile devices to obtain averaged observed time differences at a reference location to achieve more accurate reference time differences.