Positioning Terminals for Wireless Anchor Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless positioning systems face inaccuracies due to obstacles and varying communication capabilities, leading to poor positioning precision, especially when using non-line of sight channels and insufficient terminal communication capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A positioning system where multiple positioning terminals exchange information with anchors to obtain positioning support information, allowing the positioning server to use the best available data from terminals within a preset range to improve positioning accuracy, even in obstructed environments and with varying communication capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If positioning is performed using a to-be-positioned terminal communicating directly with anchors, then the positioning process is simple, but positioning precision deteriorates due to obstacles causing NLOS channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidpositioning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces positioning terminals as intermediary devices that communicate with anchors on behalf of the to-be-positioned terminal. These positioning terminals are deployed in the environment and can establish LOS channels with anchors even when the to-be-positioned terminal is blocked by obstacles. The positioning terminals collect positioning support information and transmit it to the positioning server, thereby improving positioning precision without requiring direct communication between the to-be-positioned terminal and anchors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple positioning terminals are deployed to improve positioning precision, then positioning precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs positioning terminals with multi-functionality: they can communicate with multiple anchors, collect positioning support information through positioning packet interaction procedures, and transmit this information to the positioning server. Each positioning terminal serves multiple purposes in the positioning system, reducing the need for additional specialized components and managing system complexity while improving positioning precision through multiple measurement points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If positioning support information is collected from multiple sources, then positioning precision improves, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where positioning terminals continuously collect positioning support information and transmit it to the positioning server. The positioning server processes this information and generates positioning results, which can be fed back to update the positioning terminals' data. This structured feedback loop organizes the collection and processing of information from multiple sources, improving positioning precision while managing information processing complexity through systematic data flow control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3364672B1Positioning methods and devices
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3364672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3364672B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3(a)
  • EP3364672B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a positioning system, method, and apparatus, and relates to the communications field, so as to improve positioning precision. The system includes a preset anchor set, a positioning server, and at least one positioning terminal. A distance between the at least one positioning terminal and a to-be-positioned terminal falls within a preset range. The at least one positioning terminal is configured to: receive an instruction message, and execute a positioning packet interaction procedure with at least one anchor in the preset anchor set according to the instruction message. The interaction procedure is used to enable the positioning terminal or the anchor that executes the interaction procedure to obtain positioning support information. The positioning server is configured to: receive the positioning support information, and position the to-be-positioned terminal according to the positioning support information.