Positioning Beacon Timing Using Earliest-Arriving Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly at extremely high frequencies like millimeter wave bands, propagation loss and multipath propagation lead to challenges in accurately determining the beam of interest for both data communication and position estimation, as the beam with the highest received signal strength may not necessarily follow the shortest path, causing delays and errors in positioning measurements.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first node receives multiple beams, identifies beams of interest based on their time of arrival, and sends a positioning beacon according to a reference timing determined from these times, allowing for accurate estimation of Round-Trip Time (RTT) and subsequent position calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the beam with the highest received signal strength is used for positioning, then the signal strength is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to multipath propagation causing the beam to not follow the shortest path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceived signal strengthVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of selecting the beam with the highest received signal strength for positioning, the patent inverts the selection criterion by choosing the beam with the earliest time of arrival. This inversion resolves the contradiction because the earliest arriving beam necessarily follows the shortest propagation path, ensuring positioning accuracy regardless of signal strength variations caused by multipath propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the signal strength-based selection mechanism with a time-based selection mechanism. By substituting the criterion from maximizing received power to minimizing time of arrival, the system eliminates the influence of multipath propagation on beam selection, thereby achieving accurate positioning measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If beamforming is used to compensate for propagation loss, then the signal strength is improved, but the complexity of determining the beam of interest increases due to multipath propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidbeam determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies beam determination by substituting complex signal processing based on signal strength with a straightforward time-based measurement approach. By selecting the beam with the earliest time of arrival, the system avoids the complexity of analyzing signal strength patterns and multipath characteristics, thereby reducing determination complexity while maintaining signal strength benefits from beamforming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If reference signal timing is used for positioning beacon transmission, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the time synchronization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtime synchronization requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the first node transmit the positioning beacon at a time determined based on the reference signal timing and the measured time of arrival of the beam. This advance timing adjustment compensates for propagation delays and ensures that the positioning measurement can be accurately performed without requiring continuous time synchronization, thereby reducing time synchronization requirements while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 precise positioning by identifying the earliest arriving beams, reducing errors in position estimation and enhancing the accuracy of distance calculations between nodes.

Implementation Method 1

receiving, at the first node from a second node, a plurality of beams, determining, by the first node, a time of arrival of each beam of the plurality of beams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12360194B2Determining transmission timing of a positioning beacon from a time of reception of a reference signal

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

In an embodiment, a first node receives, from a second node, a plurality of beams. The first node determines a time of arrival of each beam of the plurality of beams. The first node identifies, from the plurality of beams, one or more first beams of interest for a positioning procedure based on the times of arrival of the plurality of beams. The first node determines a first reference timing based on the time of arrival for a given beam among the identified one or more first beams of interest. The first node sends, to the second node, a positioning beacon in accordance with the first reference timing.