Node Orientation Calibration via Angular Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AoA and AoD based positioning systems in industrial environments face challenges in accurately determining the 3D orientation of nodes due to limited access for manual measurements, leading to errors, especially in environments with multipath and NLOS signal propagation.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically calibrates the orientation and position of communication network nodes by obtaining directional measurements, applying an angular weighting function to mitigate multipath and NLOS effects, and using these estimates to determine the node's orientation and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurements are used to determine node orientation, then measurement accuracy may be maintained in accessible environments, but the system becomes inapplicable or error-prone in industrial environments where access to nodes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically determining node orientations using directional measurements from reference positions. The calibration process is executed autonomously without requiring manual intervention or physical access to the nodes, allowing the system to service itself in environments where human access is limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with automated signal-based directional measurements. Instead of physically accessing nodes to measure orientation, the system uses AoA/AoD measurements of communication signals to automatically determine node orientations and perform calibration.
2Productivity
If AoA and AoD based positioning systems are deployed in industrial environments, then positioning services can be provided, but errors below 5 degrees occur that degrade positioning accuracy especially at long ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration of node orientations before conducting positioning operations. By automatically determining and storing accurate orientation information for all nodes in advance, the system eliminates orientation errors during actual positioning, ensuring high positioning accuracy especially at long ranges where small orientation errors would be magnified.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process uses feedback from directional measurements taken at multiple reference positions to iteratively refine and verify node orientation estimates. The system measures directions from multiple known reference points, processes these measurements to determine consistent orientation information, and uses this feedback to confirm accurate calibration before deploying the positioning system.
3Measurement precision
If automated calibration is implemented to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision increases, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration system leverages the existing communication infrastructure and signal processing capabilities of the AoA/AoD positioning system. The same antennas and signal processing hardware used for positioning are also used for calibration, eliminating the need for separate dedicated calibration equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses reference positions as intermediaries to indirectly determine node orientations. Instead of directly measuring orientations which would require complex mechanical measurement equipment, the system measures directional signals from multiple reference positions and computationally derives orientation information, simplifying the physical measurement process.
Data Source
AI summary
Inter-alia, a method is disclosed comprising: obtaining, for at least one reference position, an estimate of a representative direction from a node of a communication network to the at least one reference position based on information indicative of at least one directional measurement, the directional measurement being indicative at least of a propagation direction of a signal communicated between the at least one reference position and the node of the communication network; obtaining, for the at least one reference position, a weighted estimate of the representative direction based on at least an angular weighting function for the at least one reference position, the angular weighting function being representative at least of an aperture of at least one antenna of the node of the communication network; and obtaining information indicative at least of an orientation and/or position of the node of the communication network at least based on the weighted estimate of the representative direction obtained for the at least one reference position.