Positioning Message Encoding for LPWAN Bandwidth Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, such as Sigfox Atlas, face limitations in network bandwidth, leading to reduced positioning accuracy and availability due to restricted message sizes, which prevents the inclusion of crucial data like signal strength measurements, resulting in inaccurate positioning and the inability to use advanced methods like Wi-Fi or indoor positioning.
Innovation Solution
A method that employs lossy encoding to include more identifier information and signal strength data in positioning messages by allowing up to two full and three partial identifier information sets, along with signal strength information, within limited bandwidth messages, enabling the transmission of additional data over low-bandwidth protocols like Sigfox.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If standard positioning message protocol is used with full MAC addresses, then message format is simple, but positioning accuracy is reduced due to lack of signal strength measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MAC address into two parts: a first part (e.g., first 3 bytes) and a second part (e.g., last 3 bytes). The first part is included in the positioning message along with signal strength measurements, while the second part is excluded to save bandwidth. This segmentation allows the system to maintain positioning accuracy through signal strength data while adhering to bandwidth constraints of LPWAN protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of the MAC address (the first part) and the signal strength measurements from the complete data set, excluding the less critical second part of the MAC address. This extraction enables inclusion of crucial positioning data (signal strength) while minimizing message size to fit within LPWAN bandwidth limitations.
2Measurement precision
If more data is included in positioning messages, then positioning accuracy is improved, but network bandwidth is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the MAC address information into segments, including only the essential first part in the positioning message. This segmentation strategy allows the message to contain sufficient identifier information for positioning resolution while maintaining a compact size that fits within LPWAN bandwidth constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different levels of data inclusion based on local requirements: the first part of the MAC address is included with full quality, the signal strength measurements are included with appropriate precision, while the second part of the MAC address is excluded. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between message size and positioning accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Inter-alia, a method is disclosed comprising: gathering at least one sample measurement comprising at least one of an identifier information or signal strength information of a plurality of radio nodes, wherein one or more signals sent by the respective radio nodes are observable at a location where the apparatus performs the gather of the at least one sample measurement; encoding the at least one sample measurement based on the following conditions: allowing the encoded at least one sample measurement to comprise at a maximum two full identifier information of the respective radio nodes; allowing the encoded at least one sample measurement to comprise at a maximum three partial identifier information, wherein a part of a respective full identifier information of the respective radio nodes is allowed to be comprised; and allowing the encoded at least one sample measurement to comprise at least one signal strength information of the respective radio nodes; and providing the encoded at least one sample measurement. It is further disclosed an according apparatus, computer program and system.