Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces for Additional Wireless Positioning Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless positioning systems rely solely on base stations, limiting the utilization of other communication nodes for positioning services, which can be desirable to create additional line-of-sight paths and reduce the need for base station resources.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating intelligent reflecting devices that can dynamically control the reflection of signals to create additional line-of-sight paths for positioning, allowing fewer base stations to be used and enabling position determination of communication nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only base stations are used for wireless positioning, then the positioning system is simple to implement, but the positioning accuracy and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intelligent reflecting devices as intermediary elements between base stations and user equipment. These devices reflect positioning signals to create additional signal paths, thereby improving positioning accuracy without requiring more base stations. The intelligent reflecting devices act as mediators that enable indirect signal propagation, effectively extending the positioning capability while keeping the base station infrastructure unchanged.
2Measurement precision
If more base stations are deployed to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning precision increases, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of base station signal paths by using intelligent reflecting devices to reflect and redirect signals. Instead of deploying additional physical base stations, the system creates multiple virtual signal paths through reflection, achieving the effect of having more positioning references without the cost and complexity of additional base station infrastructure.
3Reliability
If base station resources are dedicated to positioning services, then positioning reliability improves, but resources available for communication tasks decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligent reflecting devices provide multi-functional capability by serving both positioning and communication purposes simultaneously. The same reflected signal paths can be used for positioning measurements while the base stations continue their communication functions. This universal approach allows the system to maintain positioning reliability without sacrificing communication productivity, as the intelligent reflecting devices handle the additional positioning function independently.
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
Intelligent reflecting devices enhance wireless positioning by creating additional line-of-sight paths, reducing the need for base stations and optimizing their resources for other tasks, thereby improving positioning accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, by a receiving node, a signal reflected by an intelligent reflecting device
Data Source
AI summary
This document generally relates to use of intelligent reflecting devices for positioning in wireless communication systems, which may increase the coverage for a wireless access node or base station. During a positioning session, an intelligent reflecting device may reflect a signal to a receiving node. An identity of the intelligent reflecting device may be determined, and a position of the receiving node may be determined based on the identity of the intelligent reflecting device.