Iterative Wireless Device Location Using Polyhedral Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of devices in wireless telecommunication networks face challenges in accuracy, especially in areas where satellite signals are unavailable and are prone to measurement errors, leading to imprecise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that iteratively receive and process information from a group of nodes to compute and refine the location of a device using polyhedrons and tetrahedrons, accounting for measurement errors and node uncertainties, allowing for precise location determination without prior knowledge of node positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved in open areas, but location determination becomes impossible in areas where satellite signals cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces terrestrial equipment (nodes) as intermediary devices to relay location information. Instead of directly using satellite signals, the system uses intermediate nodes that transmit signals to the device, enabling location determination in areas where satellite signals are blocked. These nodes act as mediators between the device and the location determination system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the location determination system into multiple independent nodes distributed in space. Rather than relying on a single satellite system, the location is determined by segmenting the problem into multiple local measurements from different nodes, which are then combined to compute the device's position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distance estimation based on signal arrival times is used, then location determination becomes possible without satellite signals, but measurement errors reduce positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines information from multiple nodes to determine the device's location. By merging distance estimates from several different nodes, the system compensates for individual measurement errors. The intersection of regions from multiple nodes provides a more accurate position estimate than any single node could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses iterative refinement where the computed location region is fed back into the calculation process. The device receives region information from nodes, computes its location region, and this information can be used in subsequent iterations to refine the position estimate, reducing the impact of initial measurement errors.
3Measurement precision
If iterative region refinement is performed, then location accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex 3D space into simpler geometric regions (polyhedrons) that are easier to compute. By representing location uncertainty as intersections of polyhedral regions from multiple nodes, the system simplifies the computational geometry while maintaining accuracy through iterative refinement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a method for determining a region in which a device is located from signals transferred by a group of nodes of a wireless telecommunication network. The method comprises the steps executed iteratively for the device of: - receiving, from each node of the group of nodes, information representative of a region in which the node is located, - obtaining information representative of the distance separating the device from each node of the group of nodes, - computing, from the received information and from the obtained information, a region in which the device is located, - transferring the computed region in which the device is located to each of the nodes of the group of nodes.