Light Fixture Antenna Layout for Precise Indoor Tag Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building automation systems face challenges in determining the location of mobile tags within a facility with precision while maintaining a visually appealing aesthetic, as conventional antennas are often conspicuous and disrupt the appearance of light fixtures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of multiple antennas within light fixtures that are strategically positioned to be less noticeable, utilizing techniques like angle of arrival to determine the location of mobile tags, combined with a sensor hub to process signals from these antennas, ensuring both functionality and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional antennas are used for location determination, then location precision is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to conspicuous antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antennas into a single light fixture housing, integrating the communication components within the fixture itself. This merging approach allows the antennas to be positioned distal to each other for accurate angle of arrival measurements while being concealed within the fixture structure, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while achieving location precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The antennas are nested within the light fixture housing structure, with multiple antennas positioned at different locations inside the fixture. This nesting allows the antennas to be hidden from view while maintaining their spatial separation for accurate signal processing and location determination.
2Measurement precision
If multiple antennas are positioned distal from each other for accurate angle of arrival measurements, then location determination precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light fixture serves multiple functions: it provides illumination through the lamp and simultaneously functions as a location determination device through its integrated multiple antennas. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining what would otherwise be separate devices into a single unified fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple antennas that would traditionally require separate mounting structures are merged into a single light fixture housing. This consolidation simplifies installation and system architecture while maintaining the distal positioning necessary for accurate angle of arrival measurements.
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
Enables precise location determination of mobile tags within a facility while maintaining a visually appealing appearance of light fixtures, enhancing the functionality of building automation systems by allowing for better environmental control based on occupant location.
Implementation Method 1
Each sensor device includes multiple antennas to receive the broadcast beacon
Implementation Method 2
The building automation system may determine a location of the mobile tag based on angle of arrival or other location determination techniques of the broadcast beacons received. The system measures the time difference between signals received at different antennas of the light fixture. These measurements correlate to the angle of arrival of the signals received by the antennas of the light fixture.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a building automation system comprising a mobile tag, sensor devices, and a sensor hub. The mobile tag transmits a broadcast beacon based on RF technology. The sensor devices are co-located with light fixtures and include antennas for receiving a broadcast beacon. The sensor devices generate signals associated with the broadcast beacon received by the antennas. The sensor hub receives the signals from each sensor device and determines a location of the mobile tag based on the signals.