Multi-Beam Antenna Positioning via Weighted Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional directional finding systems in radio positioning technology require multiple antennas and mechanical components, leading to increased space requirements and complexity, with limited resolution accuracy due to reliance on RSSI values and beam width, lacking phase information for precise direction determination.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a multi-beam antenna with different directional characteristics, a control unit, and a data processing unit that activates specific directional characteristics to receive signals and processes them with spatially varying sensitivities to determine the transmitter's position using weighted receive values, allowing for more precise localization without the need for multiple antennas or mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple individual antennas with high directivity are used for directional finding, then the resolution accuracy of direction determination is improved, but the space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple directional characteristics into a single antenna apparatus, merging the functionality of multiple individual antennas into one integrated structure. This allows the system to achieve the resolution accuracy of multiple antennas while reducing device complexity and space requirements by using only one physical antenna unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna apparatus is segmented into multiple directional characteristics that can be independently activated. Each directional characteristic functions similarly to an individual antenna, but they are integrated within a single antenna structure, allowing selective activation based on the direction of the transmitter to be located.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical components are used to move antenna apparatuses for direction finding, then the ability to scan different directions is improved, but the space requirements and wear and tear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical movement of antenna apparatuses with electronic switching between different directional characteristics. Instead of physically moving antennas using mechanical components, the system electronically activates specific directional characteristics based on the estimated direction of the transmitter, eliminating mechanical complexity and wear while maintaining directional scanning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different directional characteristics based on real-time direction estimation. This dynamic electronic reconfiguration allows the antenna apparatus to adapt to different directions without mechanical movement, providing versatility while avoiding mechanical complexity.
3Measurement precision
If RSSI-based methods with narrow beam width are used for direction finding, then the resolution accuracy is improved, but the antenna aperture and beam-forming network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of directional characteristic activation from continuous mechanical adjustment to discrete electronic switching. By switching between predefined directional characteristics with different beam widths and orientations, the system achieves high resolution accuracy without requiring complex beam-forming networks, as each directional characteristic is inherently designed with specific sensitivity patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining information on a position of a transmitter. In one example, the apparatus includes an antenna apparatus, a control apparatus and a data processing apparatus. The antenna apparatus includes several different directional characteristics, wherein the directional characteristics are each related to an amount of spatially different receive sensitivities of the antenna apparatus. The control apparatus influences the antenna apparatus such that at least one of the directional characteristics of the antenna apparatus is activated. With the activated directional characteristic, the antenna apparatus receives a signal originating from the transmitter. The data processing apparatus processes the received signal and the amount of spatially different receive sensitivities allocated to the related activated directional characteristic to an amount of weighted receive values and determines the information on the position of the transmitter therefrom. Further, the invention relates to a respective method.