Wireless Device Magnetic Field Mapping for Orientation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in complex environments with many magnetic materials, face challenges in accurately determining the orientation and positioning of wireless devices due to distorted local magnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
A method where wireless devices measure their local magnetic fields and report this information to a network device, which generates a high-resolution magnetic field database to improve sensor fusion and orientation estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless devices use magnetic field measurements for orientation and positioning in complex environments, then positioning capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to distorted local magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic field mapping data as an intermediary between the magnetometer measurements and the orientation estimation. This mapping data, which represents expected magnetic field characteristics at different locations, serves as a reference to correct distorted measurements. The system compares actual measurements against the mapping data to identify and compensate for distortions caused by magnetic materials in the environment, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring changes to the physical measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing measured magnetic field values against expected values from magnetic field mapping data. When distortions are detected through this comparison, the system uses the mapping information to correct the measurements and refine orientation and positioning estimates. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to environmental magnetic distortions and maintain measurement accuracy in complex environments.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution magnetic field mapping data is collected and processed, then orientation estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-collecting and storing magnetic field mapping data representing expected magnetic field characteristics at various locations before actual orientation estimation is performed. This preprocessed reference data is made available to the orientation estimation algorithm, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations to establish magnetic field relationships. The system simply queries the precomputed mapping data based on estimated position, significantly reducing processing complexity during operation while maintaining high accuracy.
3Reliability
If sensor fusion is performed using magnetic field data, then positioning functionality is enhanced, but reliability decreases in environments with magnetic distortions
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field mapping data serves as an intermediary reference that enables the system to distinguish between normal magnetic field variations and distortions caused by magnetic materials. By comparing real-time measurements against the mapping data, the system can identify when measurements are corrupted by local interference and adjust or weight the magnetic field data appropriately in the sensor fusion process, thereby maintaining reliability even in challenging environments.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of orientation and positioning operations in complex environments by providing robust sensor fusion and correcting for magnetic field distortions.
Implementation Method 1
measure a magnetic field at the location of the wireless device
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus that may be a wireless device. The apparatus configured to obtain an indication of a location of the wireless device, measure a magnetic field at the location of the wireless device, and output, for a network device, information regarding the location of the wireless device and the measured magnetic field at the location of the wireless device. An apparatus that may be a network device. The apparatus configured to obtain one or more sets of information regarding one or more magnetic field measurements at one or more wireless devices, generate, based on the one or more sets of information, a mapping of positions in space to magnetic field information, and output, for at least one wireless device, mapping information based on the mapping of the positions.