Mobile Carrier Positioning Using CIR Multipath Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UWB localization systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of a mobile carrier due to significant background noise and geometric dilution of accuracy, especially when using omnidirectional antennas and moving targets, which complicates the processing of channel impulse responses (CIR) and reduces positional accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves predicting the position of a mobile carrier, acquiring channel impulse responses, determining multipath components, associating predicted distances with these components, and updating the position based on these associations, using techniques like extended Kalman filters or particle filtering to enhance accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If omnidirectional antennas are used for UWB localization, then the ability to receive echoes from all directions is improved, but background noise increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to receive echoes from all directionsVSAvoidbackground noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of multipath components in the channel impulse response before using them for localization. By pre-processing the CIR to identify and separate multipath components from direct paths and noise, the system prepares clean distance measurements in advance, reducing the impact of background noise that omnidirectional antennas inevitably capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful multipath effects and background noise into useful information by identifying and utilizing multipath components for distance measurement. Instead of treating multipath reflections as mere noise to be filtered out, the system actively detects and uses these reflected signals to improve localization accuracy, especially in indoor environments where multipath is prevalent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If CIR measurements are processed for moving targets, then radar functionality is achieved, but processing complexity increases due to target motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradar functionality for moving targetsVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of multipath components in the channel impulse response before using them for localization. By pre-processing the CIR to identify and separate multipath components from direct paths and noise, the system prepares clean distance measurements in advance, reducing the impact of background noise that omnidirectional antennas inevitably capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful multipath effects and background noise into useful information by identifying and utilizing multipath components for distance measurement. Instead of treating multipath reflections as mere noise to be filtered out, the system actively detects and uses these reflected signals to improve localization accuracy, especially in indoor environments where multipath is prevalent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If anchors are deployed at ground level for drone localization, then installation simplicity is improved, but geometric dilution of accuracy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces multipath components as intermediaries between the ground-level anchors and the drone. By using reflected signals from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces as intermediate propagation paths, the system effectively extends the geometric coverage of ground-level anchors, allowing accurate 3D positioning even when anchors are confined to the ground plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from 2D anchor deployment to 3D signal propagation by utilizing multipath reflections. Although anchors are physically deployed only at ground level (2D), the multipath components introduce virtual anchor positions in three-dimensional space through reflections off walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, thereby achieving 3D positioning accuracy without elevating physical anchors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Improves the accuracy of mobile carrier positioning by effectively processing CIR measurements with moving antennas, reducing noise interference and geometric errors, and enabling precise distance measurements between the carrier and obstacles, even in complex environments.

Implementation Method 1

The use of a very wide spectrum gives this technology the ability to very accurately measure the time of arrival of the radio signal (or TOA for Time of Arrival), or the time differences of arrival (TDOA for 'Time Difference of Arrival'), which subsequently allows the calculation of a flight time and therefore a very precise distance.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Arrival: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

determination of a set of multipath components from the channel impulse response; association of at least one predicted distance with at least one corresponding multipath component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMultipath propagation: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4711798A1Method for improving the position accuracy of a mobile carrier
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP4711798A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4711798A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4711798A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for improving the accuracy of the position of a mobile carrier, comprising the steps of: S1) predicting a position of the mobile carrier (1), and determining a set of predicted distances (dk,Jrad^j=1:Nobs) between the mobile carrier (1) and a set of obstacles (2, 3, Oj) in the environment of the mobile carrier (1); S2) acquiring a channel impulse response (CIR) between a first node (T1) and a second node (T0), at least one of the two nodes (T1, T0) being carried on the mobile carrier (1); S3) determining a set of multipath components (dk,iradi=1:NMPC) from the channel impulse response (CIR); S4) association of at least one predicted distance (dk,Jrad^j=1:Nobs) to at least one corresponding multipath component (dk,iradi=1:NMPC) so as to obtain a set of updated distances (dk,irad,Oj) between the moving carrier (1) and the set of obstacles (2, 3, Oj).