Loopback Calibration for Secure Phase-Based Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-carrier phase-based ranging and Round-Trip Time (RTT) systems face challenges in secure distance measurement due to communication overhead and resource consumption, particularly in connectionless modes where phase and timing reports require excessive transmissions, leading to network congestion and power consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of loopback calibration and measurement techniques allows devices to determine internal delay variations and phase rotations, enabling the adjustment of transmitted signals without sharing phase and timing reports, thereby reducing the need for extensive communication and minimizing network latency and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase and timing reports are exchanged in conventional multi-carrier phase-based ranging systems, then distance measurement can be performed, but network congestion and power consumption increase due to excessive transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the phase and timing report exchange mechanism from the conventional ranging system. Instead of exchanging detailed phase and timing reports between devices, the system uses a simplified measurement approach where the initiator directly calculates distance based on received signal characteristics, eliminating the need for reflector to generate and transmit phase/timing reports.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiator device performs self-service by independently determining distance measurements using the signals it receives from the reflector. The initiator processes the reflected signals locally without requiring feedback reports from the reflector, making the system self-sufficient and reducing communication overhead.
2Measurement precision
If phase and timing reports are exchanged in conventional multi-carrier phase-based ranging systems, then distance measurement can be performed, but network congestion occurs due to excessive transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the phase and timing report exchange mechanism from the conventional ranging system. Instead of exchanging detailed phase and timing reports between devices, the system uses a simplified measurement approach where the initiator directly calculates distance based on received signal characteristics, eliminating the need for reflector to generate and transmit phase/timing reports.
Solution Approach 2:
The initiator device performs self-service by independently determining distance measurements using the signals it receives from the reflector. The initiator processes the reflected signals locally without requiring feedback reports from the reflector, making the system self-sufficient and reducing communication overhead.
3Measurement precision
If loopback calibration is implemented to determine internal delay variations, then distance measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration function with the existing loopback path already present in the radio frequency circuitry. The loopback calibration utilizes the existing receiver path by feeding transmitted signals back through the same RF components, combining calibration activities with normal signal processing paths without adding separate dedicated calibration hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration using the loopback mechanism where transmitted signals are routed back through the receiver path. The device calibrates its own internal delay variations autonomously by comparing transmitted and received signal characteristics, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment or complex multi-device calibration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for an efficient secure phase-based ranging using loopback calibration, including receiving, by a reflector during a current timeslot, an incoming constant tone (CT) signal having a phase shift; determining, by the reflector during the current timeslot or a previous timeslot, a phase shift correction value by using a receiver/transmitter (Rx/Tx) loopback path of the reflector; and/or generating, by the reflector, an outgoing CT signal having an updated phase shift by adjusting the phase shift of the incoming CT signal based on the phase shift correction value.