Hybrid BLE UWB Ranging Protocol Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Real-time location systems (RTLS) employing UWB protocols experience high power consumption due to transmit and receive signaling, reducing battery life, especially when facing 'line of sight' impediments and high bandwidth operations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that equips tags and beacons with both Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and UWB protocols, allowing them to selectively coordinate communication protocols for ranging operations, initiating with BLE for scanning and transitioning to UWB for precise ranging, thereby minimizing energy expenditure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If UWB protocol is used for ranging operations, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy by moving object worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveranging accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines BLE and UWB protocols into a hybrid system where BLE handles initial scanning and connection establishment, while UWB performs precise ranging measurements. This merging allows the system to leverage the low-power advantage of BLE for continuous operation and the high-precision advantage of UWB for accurate distance measurement, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and ranging accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ranging process is segmented into distinct phases: BLE is used for advertising, scanning, and connection establishment, while UWB is activated only for the actual ranging measurement phase. This segmentation allows each protocol to perform its optimal function while minimizing overall energy consumption, as UWB is only activated when needed for precision measurements rather than continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If UWB protocol operates continuously for tracking, then reliability is improved, but use of energy by moving object worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic ranging operations where UWB is activated only at specific intervals when distance measurement is needed, rather than continuous operation. BLE maintains continuous low-power monitoring for device presence and basic tracking, while UWB performs periodic precise measurements. This periodic activation of UWB maintains tracking reliability while significantly reducing battery consumption compared to continuous UWB operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between BLE and UWB protocols based on operational requirements. BLE operates continuously in a low-power state for basic tracking and device discovery, while UWB is dynamically activated only when precise ranging is required. This dynamic protocol selection optimizes the balance between tracking reliability and energy consumption by adapting the system's operational mode to current needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11877233B1Real-time location system for selectively coordinating operative wireless communications protocols when ranging between supporting nodes

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 LINK LABS

AI summary

Provided are a system and method for selectively coordinating operations of wireless communications nodes according to a plurality of included wireless communications protocols. Such selective coordination encompasses transitioning transmit and receive windows to be operable according to a respective protocol depending upon the occurrence of a ranging operation, whereas the transitioning is targeted at conserving energy consumption.