Metamaterial Asset Tag Tracking with Phased Arrays in 3D Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device tracking systems face challenges in detecting passive tracking devices at long ranges due to their compact size, and specialized systems for multiple types of devices require similar properties, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A phased array system using metamaterial asset tags and a phased antenna array for precise device tracking, incorporating advanced signal processing algorithms and beamforming techniques to determine device location and direction, enabling centimeter-level accuracy in 3D space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If passive tracking devices are made compact, then device size is reduced, but detection range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking function into two separate components: a compact passive metamaterial tag (volume-reduced) and a phased array detection system (range-enhanced). The tag segment handles miniaturization while the phased array segment provides long-range detection capability, resolving the contradiction between compact size and detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array system acts as an intermediary between the compact passive tag and the detection infrastructure. It receives weak signals from distant tags, processes them through sophisticated signal processing algorithms, and enables long-range detection without requiring the tags themselves to have large power systems or antennas.
2Measurement precision
If a specialized detection system is designed for a particular tag type, then detection performance is optimized, but versatility to detect multiple tag types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The phased array detection system is designed with universal capability to detect multiple types of passive tags. It uses configurable signal processing algorithms and beamforming methods that can be adapted to different tag characteristics, allowing a single system to maintain optimized detection performance across diverse tag types rather than requiring specialized systems for each tag variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its detection parameters, signal processing algorithms, and beamforming configurations based on the detected tag type. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize detection performance for each specific tag while maintaining the ability to detect multiple different tag types, resolving the contradiction between specialization and versatility.
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
The system provides precise 3D mapping with centimeter-level accuracy, enhancing applications in urban planning, agriculture, search and rescue, and asset tracking by integrating with technologies like synthetic aperture radar, ultrasound, and LIDAR, and supporting multiple-input multiple-output technology for robust communication.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, via the phased antenna array, a beamformed signal using the at least one frequency and the beamforming method in the direction of the metamaterial asset tag
Implementation Method 2
Passive devices can be much more compact because they reflect signals or transmit only when they receive a signal
Implementation Method 3
the first signal is modulated by the metamaterial asset tag before transmitting the response signal
Implementation Method 4
determining an Angle of Arrival (AoA) of the response signal using phase and time delay data from the response signal
Implementation Method 5
using the at least one signal processing algorithm to determine a location of the metamaterial asset tag based on the updated response signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tracking devices in a wireless environment metamaterial asset tags. The system includes asset tags that can be tracked by a device with a generic phase array design. These tags may be organized into tag groups with similar properties. A signal module may transmit and receive signals from the tags. Once a tag belonging to a tag group is identified, the system may use a phased array design optimized for that tag group. A frequency module and beamforming module further tailor the system to the specific tag group. A signal processing module processes the signal using methods optimized for the tag group. The processed signal data is then sent to a user device, which includes a tag tracking module to integrate the signal data with other data available to the user device. The integrated data is visualized in real-time on the user's device.