Position Probability Space for Asymmetric Node Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locationing technologies in wireless communication networks represent a node's position using absolute coordinates with limited precision, failing to accurately convey the node's location and precision in environments with varying measurement accuracy, and do not account for asymmetrical positioning errors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating a position probability space (PPS) that represents a node's location as a centroid with vectors defining a region of probability, allowing for asymmetric precision representation and iterative refinement based on position measurement information from reference nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional locationing technologies represent position using absolute coordinates with a simple accuracy indication, then the representation is simple and easy to understand, but it fails to accurately convey the node's location and precision in environments with varying measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The position representation is segmented into multiple vectors radiating from a central point, where each vector represents a specific direction and its length represents the precision in that direction. This segmentation allows the system to capture asymmetrical precision characteristics in different directions, resolving the contradiction by providing detailed precision information without requiring a completely complex representation framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from representing position as a single point with a scalar accuracy value to a two-dimensional visual representation using vectors with both direction and magnitude. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to convey precision information in multiple directions simultaneously, improving measurement precision representation while maintaining visual intuitiveness.
2Measurement precision
If the position is represented as a point with a circle of radius r indicating accuracy, then the representation is simple and symmetric, but it cannot account for asymmetrical positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention explicitly introduces asymmetry into the position representation by using vectors of different lengths in different directions from the central point. Each vector's length corresponds to the precision in that specific direction, allowing the representation to accurately reflect asymmetrical positioning errors. This directly addresses the limitation of symmetric circular representations while maintaining a relatively simple visual structure.
3Loss of information
If conventional locationing uses a simple point and radius representation, then the ease of operation and understanding is high, but the loss of information about directional precision occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The position accuracy information is segmented into multiple directional components, with each vector representing the precision in a specific direction. This segmentation preserves directional precision information that would otherwise be lost in a scalar representation, while the visual nature of the vectors maintains relative simplicity and ease of understanding.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses visual characteristics (length and direction of vectors) to encode precision information, making the data visually perceivable. This visual encoding method preserves directional precision information while maintaining ease of operation and understanding, as users can intuitively grasp the precision characteristics without complex numerical data.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining and representing a location or position of a node in a network. When the node receives position measurement information from a reference node, the node generates, based on the position measurement information, a position probability space (PPS) which defines a space that encompasses possible positions where the node is possibly positioned in the network. The PPS includes a centroid (i.e., a set of coordinates), and a set of vectors which originate from the centroid and define the space around the centroid. The magnitude of each vector reflects the accuracy of the position in the direction of the vector.