LPWAN Beacon Parsing for Reliable Geolocation and Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LPWAN communication systems face challenges in reliably determining temporal and spatial references for time and frequency synchronization and geolocation of devices, particularly due to doubts about the reliability of synchronization beacons and geolocation coordinates provided by satellite navigation systems and radio signal propagation techniques.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that parse synchronization beacons from gathering gateways to obtain geolocation information, determine the reliability of this information, and use it for time and frequency synchronization and geolocation, employing weighting factors and filtering to select reliable spatial references and temporal references.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite navigation system chips (GNSS) are added to equipment for geolocation, then geolocation capability is improved, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the geolocation determination function from individual equipment and relocates it to the network level. Instead of each device having its own GNSS chip, the system uses gathering gateways that collect location data and perform geolocation calculations centrally, thereby eliminating the need for expensive and energy-intensive GNSS hardware in each device while maintaining geolocation capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If radio signal propagation techniques (DRSS, TDOA) are used for geolocation, then cost is reduced, but reliability of geographical coordinates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where gathering gateways transmit not only their geographical coordinates but also reliability indicators (such as accuracy information or quality metrics) about these coordinates. Devices receiving the beacons can use this feedback information to assess and weight the reliability of different coordinate sources, allowing the system to maintain low cost while improving overall reliability through informed decision-making based on quality feedback.
3Ease of operation
If synchronisation beacons are used for time and frequency synchronisation, then synchronisation capability is improved, but reliability of temporal reference deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters transmitted in synchronisation beacons by adding reliability indicators alongside temporal information. Instead of simply transmitting time and frequency data, the beacons now include accuracy information or quality metrics that describe the reliability of the temporal reference. This allows receiving devices to adjust their synchronisation processes based on the actual reliability of the beacon data, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through parameter-enhanced beacons.
Data Source
AI summary
For determining a temporal reference and/or at least one spatial reference, in a communication system comprising a plurality of gathering gateways configured to transmit beacons, a device performs for each beacon: obtaining (502) therefrom information on current geolocation of the gathering gateway that transmitted said beacon; obtaining (503) therefrom information representing a communication technology used for determining said current geolocation; and obtaining (504) therefrom information indicating whether said current geolocation was determined by internal means or by external means. The device then uses (509) the information thus obtained for determining the temporal reference for synchronizing in time and frequency said device and/or the spatial reference or references for determining the geolocation of said device.