NFC Antenna Array Calibration for Millimeter Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current position determination methods for mobile devices using radio frequency receivers are limited by low accuracy and high energy consumption, and are susceptible to interference due to the need for continuous online operation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing near-field communication (NFC) between a calibration device and a mobile device, where the calibration device emits NFC signals of varying strengths to determine the precise position of the mobile device, with the position data being stored and used to calibrate an inertial navigation unit, reducing energy consumption and improving accuracy by using an NFC antenna array and position fixing means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radio frequency receivers are used for position determination, then position data can be obtained, but positioning accuracy is limited to increments of several decimeters and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the radio frequency receiver system with an NFC-based position determination system. The NFC antenna array emits NFC signals that interact with the mobile device's NFC antenna, enabling precise position determination through near-field electromagnetic coupling rather than far-field radio frequency reception. This substitution achieves millimeter-level accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption since NFC operates in near-field mode without requiring continuous online operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from radio frequency to NFC frequency range, and from far-field to near-field communication. By operating in the near-field regime with controlled signal strengths from multiple NFC antennas, the system achieves superior positioning accuracy (millimeter level vs. decimeter level) and lower energy consumption compared to traditional radio frequency receivers.
2Reliability
If radio frequency receivers operate continuously online for positioning, then position data can be obtained, but the system becomes susceptible to interference
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous online operation, the NFC position determination system operates periodically or on-demand. The NFC antenna array emits signals only when position determination is needed, and the near-field nature of NFC communication provides inherent interference resistance. This periodic operation mode eliminates the susceptibility to continuous interference while maintaining reliability and significantly reducing energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If NFC signals of varying strengths are emitted to determine precise position, then millimeter-precise positioning is achieved, but signal evaluation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning task by using multiple NFC antennas in the array, each emitting signals of different controlled strengths. The mobile device's processor evaluates the combined NFC signals from multiple antennas to determine position. This segmentation approach simplifies the evaluation complexity by distributing the measurement function across multiple independent signal sources, making the overall system more manageable while achieving millimeter-level precision.
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 enables millimeter-precise, energy-efficient, and interference-resistant position determination, enhancing the accuracy and reducing energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
an NFC communication is established between a first NFC antenna of a calibration device and a second NFC antenna of the mobile device when they are in proximity to each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for high-precision position determining of a mobile device (12, 40) by means of wireless communication, in particular near-field communication (NFC), wherein a wireless communication is established between at least one first antenna (14.1...14.n) of a calibration device (10, 66, 68) and a second antenna (30, 46) of a mobile device (10, 40), if these are in proximity to one another, in order to transfer position data to the mobile device (10, 40). In order to improve the accuracy of the position determining and to reduce the energy consumption and susceptibility to failure, it is proposed that at least one housing section (62, 64, 65, 42) of the mobile device (10, 40) is fixed in a reference position (RX0, RY0, RZ0) by means of an position fixing means (20) with respect to the calibration device (10, 66, 68), and that, via the wireless communication between the at least one first antenna (14.1...14.n) and the second antenna (30, 46), the position data of the reference position is transmitted to the mobile device (10, 40) as the actual position of the housing section (62, 64, 65, 42) of the mobile device (10, 40), and that an inertial navigation unit (24, 48) of the mobile device (10, 40) is calibrated with respect to the actual position.