PhaseNet Wireless Positioning via Harmonic Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS systems are unreliable in urban environments due to signal blocking and multipath distortion, leading to inaccurate positioning data, with no effective solution available for reliable sub-meter positioning in areas like the urban canyon.
Innovation Solution
PhaseNet technology embeds positioning data into wireless networks, utilizing Wi-Fi, WiMax, cellular, and other communication channels to provide reliable sub-meter positioning without the need for a GPS chip, leveraging existing wireless infrastructure for precise object positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS satellite signals are used for positioning, then global coverage is achieved, but signal reliability deteriorates in urban environments due to blocking and multipath distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication infrastructure (cell towers, WiFi access points) as intermediary signal sources. Instead of relying directly on GPS satellites, the system uses these intermediaries to transmit positioning-relevant signals that can penetrate urban environments, thereby resolving the contradiction between global coverage and urban reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes wireless communication infrastructure serve dual purposes: its original communication function plus positioning function. By embedding positioning data in existing wireless signals, the system achieves reliable urban positioning without requiring separate dedicated positioning infrastructure, thus improving reliability while avoiding the harmful effects of GPS signal blocking
2Adaptability or versatility
If GPS receivers are equipped in devices, then positioning capability is provided, but the system becomes vulnerable to signal blockage in urban canyons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from relying on a single dimension (GPS satellite signals from space) to multiple dimensions (terrestrial wireless infrastructure signals). By adding this new dimensional approach using ground-based wireless networks, the system maintains positioning capability while improving reliability in urban environments where the original dimension fails
3Reliability
If PhaseNet embeds positioning data into wireless networks, then reliable urban positioning is achieved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges positioning functionality with existing wireless communication infrastructure. By combining these functions at the network level rather than device level, the system achieves reliable urban positioning while minimizing device complexity - the wireless networks already present in urban areas are leveraged without requiring additional dedicated positioning hardware in devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method solving for unknown location values and clock rate values of one or more nodes of a network of nodes communicating with one another entails associating multiple transmitting nodes and receiving nodes that produce, respectively, ping transmit events and ping receive events by receiving and associating receive count stamps to the ping transmit events. Ping event values corresponding to ping events relating to associated ones of the ping transmit events and the ping receive events are generated and accumulated. Solutions for transmit and receive node clock rate values and node location values relating to the transmit and receive ping events at arbitrary times within a harmonic block time interval are generated from the grouped, accumulated ping event values. The generated solutions for one of the associated multiple nodes are a function of the ping transmit events and ping receive events produced by the others of the associated multiple nodes.