Infrastructure-Triggered Secure UWB Ranging for Low-Power Location Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices face challenges in utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ranging due to battery consumption and lack of remote triggering mechanisms, particularly in high-density environments, where UWB chipsets are often inactive and unable to provide accurate location data without overloading infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Infrastructure-based techniques trigger UWB ranging on mobile devices through a readiness phase, broadcasting phase, and unicast phase, utilizing non-UWB radio communications to provide parameters and instructions, enabling UWB ranging with UWB anchors while minimizing battery consumption and airtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB ranging is enabled on mobile devices, then location accuracy is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure performs preliminary actions by broadcasting readiness information and triggering UWB ranging in advance before actual location determination is needed. The mobile device receives triggering information from infrastructure elements, enabling UWB ranging to be activated only when and where needed, rather than continuously, thus reducing battery consumption while maintaining accuracy when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action through phased operations (readiness phase, broadcasting phase, unicast phase) where UWB ranging is activated periodically based on infrastructure-triggered signals rather than continuously. The mobile device transitions between UWB active and inactive states based on periodic triggering information from the infrastructure, balancing location accuracy needs with battery conservation.
2Measurement precision
If UWB ranging is used in high-density environments, then location data is provided, but infrastructure is overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the UWB ranging process into distinct phases: readiness phase where infrastructure elements broadcast capability information, broadcasting phase where triggering information is disseminated, and unicast phase where specific ranging instructions are sent to individual devices. This segmentation allows the infrastructure to manage high-density environments systematically, distributing the load across multiple phases rather than handling all devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure uses feedback mechanisms where mobile devices report their status and location requirements back to infrastructure elements. Based on this feedback, the infrastructure dynamically adjusts triggering decisions, enabling UWB ranging only when and where needed, thus providing location data in high-density environments without overloading the infrastructure with unnecessary ranging operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If UWB chipsets remain inactive, then battery consumption is reduced, but location determination is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure performs preliminary actions by broadcasting readiness information and triggering UWB ranging in advance before actual location determination is needed. The mobile device receives triggering information from infrastructure elements, enabling UWB ranging to be activated only when and where needed, rather than continuously, thus reducing battery consumption while maintaining accuracy when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure uses feedback mechanisms where mobile devices report their status and location requirements back to infrastructure elements. Based on this feedback, the infrastructure dynamically adjusts triggering decisions, enabling UWB ranging only when and where needed, thus providing location data in high-density environments without overloading the infrastructure with unnecessary ranging operations.
4Loss of time
If infrastructure triggers UWB ranging, then airtime is minimized, but triggering complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the UWB ranging process into distinct phases: readiness phase where infrastructure elements broadcast capability information, broadcasting phase where triggering information is disseminated, and unicast phase where specific ranging instructions are sent to individual devices. This segmentation allows the infrastructure to manage high-density environments systematically, distributing the load across multiple phases rather than handling all devices simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrastructure elements perform multiple functions: they broadcast readiness information, send triggering information, provide ranging instructions, and coordinate UWB operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated triggering mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining efficient airtime utilization through centralized infrastructure control.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are infrastructure triggering techniques for secure Ultra-Wideband (UWB) ranging. In one example, a method may include providing UWB ranging parameters to a mobile device via a first radio communication, wherein the first radio communication is a non-UWB radio communication; and triggering the mobile device to perform UWB ranging with a UWB anchor, wherein the triggering is performed using a second radio communication. In another example, a method may include, obtaining, by a mobile device, UWB ranging parameters for a geographic area; obtaining a UWB ranging instruction for the geographic area; and performing UWB ranging with a target UWB anchor based on the UWB ranging parameters and the UWB ranging instruction.