Millimeter Wave Ranging Using RF Antenna Diversity for Six Degrees of Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining six degrees of freedom between devices, particularly in millimeter wave ranging, due to limitations in distance and angle resolution, which affects location precision and mobility in applications like augmented reality and virtual reality.
Innovation Solution
The system employs RF/Antenna diversity modules and millimeter wave signaling to conduct round trip time distance measurements between anchor points and devices, using multiple antenna elements for accurate angle of arrival estimates, allowing for precise determination of six degrees of freedom without the need for external location sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional wireless communication systems use single antenna or limited antenna elements, then device complexity is reduced, but distance resolution and angle of arrival resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the antenna array into multiple RF/Antenna modules, where each module contains multiple antenna elements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple elements while managing complexity through modular architecture. The processing system processes signals from multiple antenna elements to determine distance and angle of arrival with high resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D antenna arrays to 3D spatial configuration with multiple RF/Antenna modules distributed in three-dimensional space. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous measurement of distance, angle of arrival, and six degrees of freedom, achieving high measurement precision across multiple spatial dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If millimeter wave signals are used for ranging, then distance resolution and angle resolution are improved, but the system requires more sophisticated antenna arrays and signal processing
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes millimeter wave signals for distance measurement, angle of arrival estimation, and six degrees of freedom determination. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high angle of arrival resolution while consolidating signal processing tasks into a unified system rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own multiple antenna elements and millimeter wave signals to perform self-triangulation and determine its own position and orientation relative to anchor points. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external location sensors and reduces the complexity of integrating multiple different sensing systems.
3Measurement precision
If external location sensors are added to improve location accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system performs self-triangulation using its own multiple antenna elements and millimeter wave signals to determine its position and orientation. The system uses its existing communication infrastructure for location determination, eliminating the need for external location sensors such as cameras, LIDAR, or inertial measurement units, thereby maintaining high location accuracy without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF/Antenna modules and processing system are designed to serve dual purposes: millimeter wave communication and location determination. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high location accuracy using the same hardware components intended for communication, rather than requiring separate dedicated location sensing systems.
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 enables high-accuracy location tracking and orientation determination, enhancing mobility and precision in wireless communication systems, particularly in AR/VR applications, by leveraging the high resolution of millimeter wave signals and multiple antenna arrays.
Implementation Method 1
a Time of Flight measurement may conducted using a fine timing measurement (FTM) flow
Implementation Method 2
beamforming-based signals transmitted from different antennas are adjusted in phase (and optionally amplitude) such that the resulting signal power is focused toward a receiver device
Implementation Method 3
the angle of arrival resolution of the measurement may have a very high accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the disclosure relate to millimeter wave ranging with six degrees of freedom. For example, a multi-gigabyte link (e.g., an IEEE 802.11ad link or an 802.11ay link) and RF/Antenna diversity modules can be used to conduct round trip time (RTT) distance measurements between an anchor point and a station. Relative location information (e.g., degrees of freedom) between the wireless devices can then be determined based on the distance measurements.