Positioning Measurement Uncertainty Estimation via Multipath Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning measurement techniques in wireless communication networks, such as OTDOA, face challenges in accurately reporting measurement quality, leading to unreliable positioning results due to limited resource constraints and environmental variations, particularly in indoor and urban environments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves estimating a multipath profile based on residual deviations between timing measurements and high-accuracy location results, allowing for location-specific measurement quality determination and weighting of measurements to improve positioning accuracy, independent of reported quality metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If positioning measurements are performed in indoor and urban environments, then positioning coverage is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to multipath effects and environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of measurement quality assessment from relying on device-reported metrics to using network-calculated metrics based on multipath profiles and environmental characteristics. This allows the system to adapt to different environments (indoor, urban) by adjusting the measurement quality assessment parameters accordingly, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy across diverse areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model (multipath profile) that copies and represents the complex environmental characteristics of indoor and urban areas. This multipath profile serves as a simplified representation of the actual environment, allowing the system to account for environmental effects without directly measuring them in real-time, thus improving positioning accuracy in challenging areas.
2Device complexity
If measurement quality is determined based on device-reported metrics, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to limited device resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the network entity) that acts as a mediator between the positioning measurements and the quality assessment. Instead of relying directly on device-reported metrics, the network entity calculates measurement quality based on multipath profiles and environmental data, thereby improving reliability while distributing the computational burden appropriately across the network infrastructure.
3Speed
If standard positioning methods are used without environmental consideration, then positioning speed is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in challenging environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing multipath profiles for different geographic areas and environmental conditions. When positioning is needed, the system quickly retrieves the appropriate pre-computed profile rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining positioning speed while improving accuracy through environment-specific adjustments.
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AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for determining measurement uncertainty of and/or multipath effects on positioning measurements, based on the residual deviations between timing measurements and high-accuracy location results. An example method begins with collecting (510) a plurality of timing measurements or ranging measurements, or both, each measurement corresponding to at least one anchor node antenna having a known location. A measurement deviation is determined (520) for each measurement by comparing the measurement to a corresponding reference location. The measurement deviations are used (530) to estimate measurement quality for one or more subsequent positioning measurements, and/or uncertainty associated with one or more subsequent positioning estimates, and/or an effect of multipath on subsequent positioning measurements or estimates. In some embodiments, a covariance matrix is calculated from the measurement deviations and is used to determine statistical information or multipath effects for measurements corresponding to a particular one of the anchor node antennas.