Multi-Antenna Positioning Using Phase Center Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning technologies using multiple antennas introduce errors due to varying phase center offsets and reception diversity, leading to inaccurate trilateration and potential ambiguities in determining the position of an apparatus.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with multiple antennas converts time of arrival measurements to compensation values, compensating for phase center offsets and radiation patterns to produce accurate compensated time of arrival measurements for positioning reference signals, enabling precise positioning using downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple antennas are used for positioning measurements, then positioning reliability is improved through reception diversity, but measurement precision deteriorates due to varying phase center offsets and antenna-specific radiation patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidtime of arrival measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining antenna-specific compensation values for each antenna's phase center offset and radiation pattern characteristics. Instead of using a single uniform measurement approach for all antennas, the system tailors the measurement and compensation process to each antenna's unique properties, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while utilizing multiple antennas for improved reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters by determining compensation values specific to each antenna's phase center offset and radiation pattern. These compensation values are used to adjust the time of arrival measurements, effectively transforming the raw measurements into corrected values that account for antenna-specific variations, thus resolving the precision-reliability contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If antenna-specific compensation values are determined and applied, then measurement precision is improved by compensating for phase center offsets, but device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime of arrival measurement precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining and storing compensation values for each antenna's phase center offset and radiation pattern in advance, before actual positioning measurements are performed. These pre-determined compensation values are then directly applied during measurement processing, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations and reducing processing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If compensation values are stored in a mapping database with multiple entries, then measurement precision is improved through accurate lookup, but loss of time increases due to database access operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompensation value accuracyVSAvoiddatabase access time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by organizing compensation values in a mapping database structure that enables efficient lookup based on antenna identification and signal characteristics. The compensation values are pre-computed and stored, allowing for rapid retrieval during measurement processing without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus minimizing time loss while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution achieves sub-meter to centimeter-level accuracy with low latency and high network efficiency by resolving ambiguities and compensating for antenna-specific phase center offsets, enhancing positioning accuracy and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

converting measurements of time of arrival of a positioning reference signal at the multiple antennas to a compensation value and using the compensation value to produce a compensated time of arrival measurement for the positioning reference signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of arrival measurement: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12392861B2Positioning of an apparatus using radio signals

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus including multiple antennas and means for converting measurements of time of arrival of a positioning reference signal at the multiple antennas to a compensation value and using the compensation value to produce a compensated time of arrival measurement for the positioning reference signal. The apparatus also includes means for providing compensated time of arrival measurements for a plurality of positioning reference signals from different reference points to enable positioning of the apparatus.