Hybrid Phased Antenna Array for 3D Wireless Device Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless routers lack the capability to accurately track wireless devices in three dimensions, and specialized tracking hardware is often expensive and requires reconfiguration of existing network infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid phased antenna array system integrated with a wireless router, comprising a phased antenna array and a daughterboard with processing capabilities, enables precise three-dimensional device tracking by triangulation and trilateration, utilizing passive and active signal reception modes, and advanced signal processing techniques like Kalman filters and Joint Probabilistic Data Association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized tracking hardware is used to achieve high accuracy device tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phased antenna array tracking system with the existing wireless router infrastructure, merging tracking functionality into the router's antenna elements. This integration allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for device tracking while avoiding the need for separate specialized tracking hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless router is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: data routing and device tracking. The phased antenna array serves dual purposes by enabling both wireless communication and precise device location tracking. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If specialized tracking hardware is deployed to achieve precise tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to infrastructure reconfiguration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the tracking system with the existing wireless router infrastructure, the patent eliminates the need for separate tracking hardware deployment and configuration. The tracking functionality is integrated into the router's existing antenna elements and control mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the wireless router's existing resources (antenna elements, processing capabilities) to perform device tracking without requiring external specialized hardware or complex infrastructure reconfiguration. The router serves itself by leveraging its own components for dual purposes, simplifying deployment and operation.
3Ease of operation
If conventional wireless routers are used for data routing, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision for device tracking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless router is enhanced to perform multiple functions simultaneously: traditional data routing and precise three-dimensional device tracking. The phased antenna array enables the router to extract spatial information from wireless signals while maintaining its core routing functionality, thereby achieving high measurement precision without sacrificing ease of operation or compatibility with existing networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the utilization parameters of the existing router's antenna elements by implementing phased array signal processing. This allows the conventional router hardware to achieve high measurement precision for tracking by processing signal phase differences across multiple antenna elements, transforming ordinary wireless signals into precise location data without replacing the router infrastructure.
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 system provides centimeter-level accuracy in device tracking, enhancing precision and spatial awareness while being compatible with existing network infrastructure without full replacement, and can integrate with other technologies for comprehensive tracking solutions.
Implementation Method 1
triangulate a location of each wireless device within an environment by calculating an angle from which wireless signals from the plurality of wireless devices arrive based on relative phase shifts
Implementation Method 2
trilaterate a location of each wireless device within an environment
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid phased array device with a standard wireless router system for a dual reception of standard Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, or other type of wireless base station and high-density device management and accurate signal tracking. The system comprises a standard wireless router with its antenna and electronics and a phased array device with a phased antenna array. One or more user devices connect to the wireless router and/or phased array device via a network interface card (NIC). A phased array signal processing module processes the signal from the phased antenna array to calculate the location of the user devices. An interface port connects the standard wireless router and the phased array device. An interface module facilitates compatibility between the wireless router and the phased array device. The phased array device may utilize both passive and active detection of user devices.