Millimeter Wave Beam Fingerprinting for Indoor Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional indoor localization methods using millimeter waves require dedicated infrastructure, which is costly and undesirable, and existing fingerprint-based systems face challenges with signal instability and accuracy issues, especially in indoor environments.

Innovation Solution

The use of millimeter wave fingerprinting-based localization systems that leverage beam signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements to construct a location-dependent fingerprinting database, utilizing spatial beam SNRs available during the beam training phase in 5G and IEEE 802.11ad standards, without the need for additional hardware, and incorporating machine learning approaches for position classification and coordinate estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If dedicated infrastructure is installed for indoor localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling existing mmWave access points to serve dual purposes: providing wireless communication services and enabling indoor localization. The same infrastructure that delivers internet connectivity also captures beam training data for position estimation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated localization hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by utilizing the beam training procedures already inherent in mmWave communication standards. The access points automatically perform beam training to establish communication links, and the same beam training data is simultaneously used for localization fingerprinting without requiring additional active measurement procedures or separate calibration phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If dedicated infrastructure is installed for indoor localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but implementation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages commercially available off-the-shelf mmWave access points that already incorporate beamforming capabilities. By using existing consumer-grade hardware rather than custom-built specialized equipment, the implementation cost is significantly reduced while still achieving accurate localization through the fingerprinting approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If conventional fingerprint-based systems are used, then infrastructure requirements are reduced, but signal instability and accuracy issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure requirementsVSAvoidsignal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from using traditional RSSI (received signal strength indicator) as the fingerprint parameter to using beam SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) measurements during beam training. Beam SNR is more stable and reliable because it is measured during the beam alignment phase before data transmission begins, avoiding the signal fluctuations that occur during active communication. This parameter change significantly improves reliability while maintaining the infrastructure-free approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If mmWave beam attributes are used for localization, then localization accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11122397B2Localization using millimeter wave beam attributes

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

A communication system using beamforming transmission in a millimeter wave spectrum in an environment. A memory with data including values indicative of link attributes associated with beam signal measurements with states of devices and states of environments. The states of the devices for each device including types of user behavior, locations and poses in each environment. The states of the environments for each environment including, locations of physical objects and types of behavior of ambient users. Control circuitry performs beam training with a target device in environment to measure beam signal values and environmental responses for different beams transmitted over the different beam angles. Selects, in response to the beam training, at least one dominant angle for a beamforming communication with the target device. Estimates, one of a state of the target device or a state of the environment, corresponding to environmental responses for different beams estimated during the beam training.