Augmenting Wireless Location Systems with Mobile Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Wireless Location Systems face limitations due to the use of static, ground-based receivers, which provide limited coverage and lack sufficient cell sites for deployment, and are not adapted to provide imagery that aids in determining wireless device locations effectively.
Innovation Solution
The augmentation of Wireless Location Systems with mobile sensors, such as those on land-roving vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, or satellites, equipped with a location measuring unit (LMU) and GPS timing receivers, which provide time and frequency synchronization, and the use of real-time imagery to enhance location accuracy through TDOA and AOA measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If static, ground-based receivers are used in Wireless Location Systems, then the system structure is simple and easy to deploy, but the coverage area is limited and location accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile platforms (aircraft, satellites, vehicles) that can move dynamically to different locations to provide reception services. This transforms the static receiver system into a dynamic one, expanding coverage area without requiring deployment of numerous fixed receivers across the entire service region. The mobile platforms can be positioned strategically to cover specific areas or move to follow demand patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from ground-based two-dimensional coverage to three-dimensional coverage by introducing airborne and satellite platforms. This adds vertical dimension to the receiver network, enabling coverage over large geographic areas, oceans, and remote regions that are difficult or expensive to cover with ground-based infrastructure.
2Area of stationary object
If more static cell sites are deployed to improve coverage, then coverage area increases, but system cost and deployment complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platforms serve multiple functions: they act as location measuring units for determining wireless device positions, provide real-time imagery for identification purposes, and can operate across multiple geographic regions. A single mobile platform can replace or supplement numerous fixed cell sites by moving to different locations and performing reception functions temporarily at each position.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying physical copies of cell sites throughout the service area, the patent uses mobile platforms that can be positioned to create temporary reception points as needed. The mobile platform effectively creates a moving copy of the reception function, eliminating the need for permanent infrastructure at multiple locations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If static receivers are used, then deployment is straightforward, but the ability to provide real-time imagery and adapt to changing location needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platforms provide dynamic adaptability by moving to positions where they are most needed. The system can respond to changing location demands, emergency situations, or coverage gaps by deploying mobile receivers to appropriate locations, offering flexibility that static systems cannot match.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the mobile platforms: location measurement capabilities, real-time imagery capture, and communication functions. This merging of functions into a single mobile system provides versatility without requiring separate systems for each function, maintaining operational simplicity while enhancing capabilities.
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 improves location accuracy and coverage by enabling the use of mobile platforms to detect and determine the location of wireless devices, correlating location data with real-time imagery to accurately identify the device's location, even in areas with insufficient static cell sites.
Implementation Method 1
equipped with a location measuring unit (LMU) and GPS timing receivers, which provide time and frequency synchronization
Implementation Method 2
The location of wireless E9-1-1 callers will save response time... determining the location of wireless devices, correlating location data with real-time imagery
Implementation Method 3
use of real-time imagery to enhance location accuracy through TDOA and AOA measurements
Data Source
AI summary
Mobile LMUs can be used in a Wireless Location System to provide detection coverage in areas lacking adequate receiver coverage. The mobile LMUs can be used to detect the radio frequency (RF) transmissions from wireless handsets and devices over a period of time to permit determination of their location. The mobile LMU's time, position, and velocity is calculated and transmitted to a SMLC along with any transmissions received from wireless devices. The SMLC analyzes and resolves the Doppler component of the wireless device while compensating for the Doppler component of the mobile LMU. The position and velocity of the wireless device can be compared with real-time imagery taken by the mobile LMU platform to accurately determine the location of the wireless device. To enhance the mobile LMU's ability to detect a signal of interest, which may be very weak and/or corrupted by noise, a process may be employed whereby the low power mobile terminals' signals are received at receiving sites and stored in memory. Then, a more powerful replica of the SOI is received at a later time from a network controller, or BTS, and this is employed to enhance the correlation processing of the SOI in memory.