Indoor Positioning Accuracy via Dynamic Reference Signal Derivation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of a mobile communication device indoors face challenges with accuracy due to the use of fixed or reconstructed reference signals, which can lead to incorrect distance measurements and correlation errors, especially when dealing with short distances and small areas.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a digitized reference signal derived from the signal received by receivers connected to a data network, which is then forwarded to base stations through a data link, allowing for a second signal path that reduces interference and noise, and enables the selection of the highest quality reference signal for accurate position determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed reference signal is used for position determination, then the system is simple to implement, but the accuracy deteriorates because only a single predetermined signal can be used which may not correlate well with received signals
Solution Approach 1:
The reference signal is changed from a fixed predetermined signal to a dynamic signal that is derived from the actual received signal at each base station. This allows the reference signal to adapt to the specific propagation conditions and signal characteristics observed at each location, improving correlation accuracy while maintaining system simplicity through automated signal derivation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each base station automatically derives its own reference signal from the signals it receives, eliminating the need for centralized reference signal distribution. The base station uses its received signal to create a locally optimized reference signal that accounts for its specific environmental conditions and signal paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a synthetic replica reference signal is constructed from received signal information, then adaptability improves, but signal deterioration occurs due to differences between received and reconstructed signals
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reconstructing a synthetic replica through complex signal processing, the system creates a direct copy of the received signal to serve as the reference. This copying approach preserves the original signal characteristics without introducing reconstruction errors, while still allowing each base station to have its own locally-derived reference signal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the same reference signal is used at all base stations, then system uniformity is maintained, but accuracy deteriorates because signal characteristics vary by location
Solution Approach 1:
Each base station uses a reference signal that is locally derived from signals received at that specific base station location. This allows the reference signal to reflect local propagation conditions, multipath characteristics, and signal strengths specific to each base station's environment, thereby improving measurement accuracy at each location while maintaining overall system consistency through the same derivation process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If outdoor position determination methods are used indoors, then existing systems can be utilized, but accuracy deteriorates due to small distances and areas involved
Solution Approach 1:
The system adapts to indoor conditions by deriving reference signals locally at each base station, which accounts for the different propagation characteristics inherent in indoor environments. This parameter change in reference signal generation methodology allows the system to maintain accuracy in indoor settings with smaller distances and areas where signal characteristics differ significantly from outdoor conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a more reliable and uniform reference signal, improving the accuracy of position determination by reducing signal deterioration and correlation errors, making it suitable for indoor use with enhanced precision.
Implementation Method 1
correlating the received wireless signal and the reference signal so as to produce a correlation (referred to as 'intercorrelation') for each base station, detecting a maximum in each correlation, which maximum is indicative of a time of arrival of the signal at the respective base station
Implementation Method 2
Some of these prior art methods are based on signal propagation times, using the time duration between the transmission and the reception of an electromagnetic signal (i.e. a radio signal or a light signal) to determine distances
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a position of a mobile telecommunication device (10) which transmits a signal (S) to base stations (1, 2, 3, . . . ) connected by a data link (8) comprises the steps of: correlating the received signal (S) and a reference signal (S′) so as to produce a correlation for each base station, detecting a maximum in each correlation, which maximum is indicative of a time of arrival of the signal (S) at the respective base station, and using the respective times of arrival and the distances (D1, D2, . . . ) derived therefrom to derive a location of the mobile telecommunication device. The method uses receivers (21, 22, . . . ) coupled to a data network (7), each receiver (21, 22, . . . ) deriving the reference signal (S′) from the received signal (S). Each base station may select, if it receives multiple reference signals, the reference signal (S′) having the highest quality.