Indoor Base Station Location via Master PTP Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to accurately determine the geographical location of indoor base-stations without GPS functionality, as pre-deployment surveying is impractical for movable or user-installed stations, and GPS signals are obstructed indoors, hindering location-based services and timing synchronization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) management message system where a master base station with GPS functionality shares its location information with slave base stations, allowing them to approximate their own location using PTP management messages, even in indoor environments where GPS signals are unavailable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pre-deployment surveying is used to determine base-station location, then location accuracy is improved, but deployment flexibility and ease of installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoiddeployment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base station automatically determines its own location by receiving GPS signals and processing location information without requiring manual surveying. The system uses self-service mechanisms where the base station queries its own GPS receiver and automatically updates its location data, eliminating the need for external surveying services while maintaining high location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual surveying process with an automated electronic system using GPS receivers and digital communication protocols. Instead of physical measurement tools and manual recording, the system uses satellite-based positioning and automated data exchange to determine and update base station locations, significantly improving both accuracy and deployment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If GPS functionality is installed in all base-stations for autonomous positioning, then location determination capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the GPS receiving capability into a centralized master base station rather than distributing GPS receivers to all base stations. The master base station collects location information from its own GPS receiver and shares this information with slave base stations through communication protocols, achieving network-wide location determination capability while avoiding the cost and complexity of equipping every base station with GPS functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The master base station serves multiple functions: it acts as a regular base station for communication, maintains a GPS receiver for location determination, and functions as a location server for the entire network. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve comprehensive location capability through a single GPS receiver shared across multiple base stations, reducing overall system cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If manual surveying is performed before base-station deployment, then initial location accuracy is improved, but the ability to track location changes and adapt to movable installations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial location accuracyVSAvoidlocation change tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous location determination by having the master base station continuously receive GPS signals and update location information. Instead of a one-time survey, the location data is continuously refreshed and automatically distributed to slave base stations, ensuring that location accuracy is maintained over time and that any movements or changes in base station positions are automatically tracked and reflected in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9155062B2Distribution of location information

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 MICROSEMI FREQUENCY & TIME CORP

AI summary

In one aspect, a method of determining a geographical location of a base station is provided. The base station is within a coverage area of a master base station and requests geographical location information from the master base station through a first Precision Time Protocol (PTP) management message. The base station receives the geographical location information from the master base station through a second PTP management message. In addition, the base station determines the geographical location of the base station from the geographical location information included in the second PTP management message.