Millimeter Wave Beamforming for Keyless Entry Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyless entry systems face inaccuracies in determining the position and distance of a mobile communication device relative to a vehicle due to limitations in antenna range and susceptibility to scattering centers, leading to incorrect determinations of the device's location, both indoors and outdoors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of millimeter wave fingerprinting-based localization using beam signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements, along with beam indices, to establish reliable communication links and construct a location-dependent fingerprinting database, enabling accurate determination of the device's location and distance through beam training and machine learning approaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional antennas are used for keyless entry systems, then the system can perform basic locking and unlocking operations, but the determination accuracy of the mobile device position is insufficient due to scattering centers and limited range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from conventional sub-6GHz to millimeter wave (28GHz or 60GHz), which fundamentally alters the propagation characteristics and enables more precise angular resolution for position determination, overcoming the scattering center limitations of conventional antennas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-element monopole antennas to phased array antennas, adding the spatial dimension of beamforming capability. This enables the system to determine not just presence but also angular position and distance through multiple dimensions of signal measurement
2Reliability
If transmission power is weakened to prevent radio wave leakage, then false positive determinations are reduced, but the mobile device cannot receive radio wave even when inside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter to millimeter wave, which has different propagation characteristics including higher directionality and penetration properties, allowing reliable signal reception at lower power levels while maintaining accurate position determination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional omnidirectional antenna radiation pattern with a directional beamforming system using phased arrays. This substitution enables the system to concentrate energy in specific directions, achieving reliable communication without requiring high transmission power that would cause leakage in all directions
3Device complexity
If single element monopole antennas are used, then the system structure is simple, but the antenna response fluctuates as a function of angle of arrival in urban environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single antenna element into multiple antenna elements arranged in a phased array. This segmentation enables the system to measure signal characteristics from multiple spatial directions simultaneously, providing stable position determination even when the angle of arrival changes in urban environments
Solution Approach 2:
The phased array antenna system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides omnidirectional coverage through electronic beam steering, determines angular position through beamforming, and maintains stable response characteristics across varying angles of arrival, replacing the limited functionality of single element antennas
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 method provides accurate and reliable indoor and outdoor localization, improving the accuracy of keyless entry systems by utilizing the unique propagation characteristics of millimeter waves and leveraging commercial off-the-shelf mmWave Wi-Fi routers for opportunistic use, enhancing the precision of position classification and coordinate estimation.
Implementation Method 1
a phased antenna array configured to perform beamforming to establish millimeter wave channel links between the access point and the mobile access point
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the unique propagation characteristics of millimeter waves
Data Source
AI summary
A system for keyless entry applications 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. Control circuitry performs beam training with a target device associated with at least one keyless entry application in the 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, a state of the target device associated with the at least one keyless entry application or a state of the environment, corresponding to environmental responses for different beams estimated during the beam training.