Multi-User Two-Way Ranging via Parallel Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network localization techniques suffer from high ranging overhead and lack of scalability, especially in large and mobile wireless networks, due to sequential signaling schemes that require significant time and resources.
Innovation Solution
A two-frame transmission scheme where all nodes transmit and receive signatures in the first frame, and then retransmit and receive scrambled signals in the second frame, allowing each node to estimate its distance to all neighboring nodes and their mutual distances, leveraging full duplexing capabilities for efficient location awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential signaling schemes are used for location awareness, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sequential ranging operations into a single parallel multi-user ranging process. Multiple nodes simultaneously transmit and receive signals in two frames, enabling all nodes to estimate distances to all neighboring nodes concurrently rather than sequentially, reducing total ranging time from 11.52 milliseconds to approximately 1 millisecond
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a periodic two-frame signaling structure where the first frame carries initial signatures and the second frame carries retransmitted signatures. This periodic action pattern enables efficient multi-user ranging by structuring transmissions in repeating cycles that can be simultaneously processed by all nodes
2Measurement precision
If sequential signaling schemes are used for location awareness, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate ranging procedures into a unified multi-user ranging protocol. All nodes participate in the same two-frame exchange, sharing transmission and reception resources, which reduces overall system overhead and simplifies the ranging process compared to individual sequential operations
Solution Approach 2:
The two-frame signaling structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables distance estimation between all node pairs, provides signature transmission and verification, and supports mutual distance estimation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate procedures and lowers overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A node in a wireless network includes a memory, transceiver, and processor operatively coupled to one another. The memory stores a signature of the node. The transceiver is configured to transmit, during an initial frame, the signature to one or more neighboring nodes, and receive, during the initial frame, a first signal that includes one or more signatures of the one or more neighboring nodes. The transceiver is also configured to transmit, during a repetition frame, a scrambled waveform of the first signal received during the initial frame, and receive, during the repetition frame, a second signal that includes a retransmission of signals received by the one or more neighboring nodes during the initial frame. The processor is configured to determine a distance from the node to each of the one or more neighboring nodes based at least in part on the first signal and the second signal.