Multi-Frame Ping Micro-Transponder Location Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location systems face challenges in accurately determining the location of small-scale objects using low-power transmissions due to signal interference and noise, and they have limited battery life, which restricts their operational duration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a remote locator (RL) to transmit multi-frame pings to a micro-transponder (MT), allowing the MT to respond with a low-power reply, using time-of-flight and Doppler shift measurements to calculate distance and provide user alerts when the MT exceeds threshold ranges, while employing asymmetric transmission and circular correlation techniques to enhance signal processing and conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If low-power transmissions are used to extend battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but signal accuracy deteriorates due to noise and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission signal is divided into multiple sequential frames rather than a single continuous transmission. The remote locator sends multiple ping frames, and the transponder responds with multiple reply frames. This segmentation allows the receiver to process and integrate multiple low-power signal instances, improving overall signal accuracy while maintaining low energy consumption per transmission cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary signal processing by sending multiple ping frames before the actual location measurement is completed. The remote locator pre-establishes signal patterns and the transponder pre-processes reply frames, allowing the final location calculation to benefit from accumulated signal data rather than relying on a single transmission event.
Solution Approach 3:
The system implements feedback through the multi-frame exchange protocol where the remote locator sends ping frames, receives reply frames, and uses the returned signal information to calculate distance and velocity. This feedback loop allows continuous refinement of location accuracy using low-power transmissions by leveraging the returned signal characteristics.
2Measurement precision
If multiple frames are transmitted to improve signal processing, then location accuracy is improved, but transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-frame transmission and reply process occurs in periodic cycles rather than as a continuous stream. Each cycle consists of a ping frame sequence followed by a reply frame sequence, allowing the system to achieve accurate location measurements through repeated periodic exchanges. This periodic structure optimizes the balance between gathering sufficient signal data and minimizing total transmission time.
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 effectively extends battery life and improves location accuracy by minimizing energy consumption and signal interference, enabling continuous monitoring of the MT for extended periods with reduced processing efforts.
Implementation Method 1
using time-of-flight and Doppler shift measurements to calculate distance
Implementation Method 2
using time-of-flight and Doppler shift measurements to calculate distance
Data Source
AI summary
The location of a transponder or micro-transponder (MT) device can be determined relative to a remote locator (RL) device. The RL transmits a multi-frame ping to the MT when initiated by a user. The MT receives the multi-frame ping, and transmits a multi-frame reply that can be hollowed out to conserve transmit power and reduce interference between devices. The RL calculates a distance between the RL and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission of a ping and the receipt of a reply. The user designates one or more threshold ranges for the MT relative to the RL. The RL provides a user alert whenever the MT travels outside a threshold range. Alerts can be provided through a number of mechanisms including an audible alert, a visible alert, a vibrating alert, an email message, an SMS message, an instant message, a pager message, a telephone call, etc.