LPWAN Geolocation Using Gateway Timing Instead of GPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geolocation solutions for low power wide area networks (LPWAN) are unsuitable due to the power constraints of end nodes, as GPS receivers consume too much power and are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
End nodes transmit a high-energy geolocation signal of about 0.5 to 1 Watt, which is received by multiple gateways, allowing for precise geolocation determination using techniques like trilateration or multilateration based on receipt times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receiver is used for geolocation, then geolocation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gateways as intermediary devices that receive geolocation signals from end nodes and forward them to the server. This mediator approach allows the end node to use a simple, low-power transmitter instead of a power-hungry GPS receiver, while still achieving accurate geolocation through the gateway network's signal processing and time-of-flight calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the end node actively determine its own location using a GPS receiver, the system inverts the approach by having the network (gateways and server) determine the end node's location by measuring the characteristics of signals transmitted by the end node. This inversion allows the use of low-power transmission while maintaining geolocation capability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If high-energy geolocation signal is transmitted, then signal detectability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting high-energy signals only when geolocation is required, rather than continuously. The system activates the high-power transmission mode temporarily to send geolocation signals to multiple gateways, then returns to low-power mode for normal data transmission, thus achieving sufficient signal detectability while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by scheduling geolocation signal transmissions at specific intervals or events rather than continuously. The end node transmits high-energy geolocation signals periodically or on-demand based on application requirements, allowing the network to accumulate location data over time while the device remains in low-power state between transmissions.
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
Accurate geolocation of end nodes is achieved while conserving power by using a high-energy signal that is easily identifiable by gateways, enabling precise positioning without excessive power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The end node may transmit the high-energy geolocation signal and a plurality of gateways of the low power wide area network may receive the high-energy geolocation signal
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for improved geolocation in a network are disclosed. An end node may transmit a signal. The signal may be received by a plurality of computing devices. Receipt times of the signal at the plurality of computing devices may be used to determine a location of the end node.