Linear Antenna Arrays for Efficient 3D Directional Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining 3D directional vectors in indoor positioning systems are computationally expensive due to the use of two-dimensional antenna arrays for angle estimation.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing two or more linear antenna arrays with individual pseudo-spectrum evaluation to determine angular quantities, allowing for the computation of 3D directional vectors through one-dimensional pseudo-spectra, which is more efficient and accurate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-dimensional array of antenna elements is used for angle estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the two-dimensional antenna array into multiple one-dimensional linear antenna arrays. Each linear array independently processes signals to determine angular quantities, and these quantities are then combined to obtain the full 3D directional vector. This segmentation reduces the complexity of individual processing units while maintaining overall measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the problem from a two-dimensional antenna array approach to a multiple one-dimensional linear arrays approach. By using several linear arrays oriented in different directions, the system achieves 3D directional vector determination through the combination of multiple 1D angular measurements, effectively moving from a single 2D plane to a multi-dimensional linear array configuration.
2Measurement precision
If a two-dimensional pseudo-spectrum estimation is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to high computational cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computational task by performing one-dimensional pseudo-spectrum estimation on each linear antenna array independently, rather than performing a single complex two-dimensional pseudo-spectrum estimation. This divides the computational workload into multiple simpler, parallelizable operations, improving overall productivity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial action by evaluating only the necessary one-dimensional pseudo-spectra for each linear array rather than computing the complete two-dimensional pseudo-spectrum. This partial evaluation approach provides sufficient information for directional vector determination while significantly reducing computational requirements and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for determining a 3D directional vector between a sending device and a receiving device, the receiving device comprises at least two antenna arrays that each comprise a plurality of linearly arranged antenna elements that are aligned to different orientations. The method comprises receiving, with the antenna arrays, a signal sent from the sending device, sampling, based on the received signal, outputs of each antenna element of each antenna array at a plurality of time instants, determining, for each antenna array, a Propagator Direct Data Acquisition, PDDA, pseudo-spectrum by performing a 1-dimensional PDDA, 1D-PDDA, based on the sampled outputs of the respective antenna array and on a plurality of steering vectors associated with the respective antenna array, determining a maximum of each PDDA pseudo-spectrum, determining an angular quantity (Ψ) for each antenna array based on the respective maximum of the PDDA pseudo-spectrum, and determining the 3D directional vector based on the angular quantities (Ψ) of each antenna array and on the orientations of the antenna arrays.