Radio Beacon Nodes for Indoor Location Tracking Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking systems face challenges in indoor tracking due to GPS signal penetration issues and require complex network topology changes when accuracy degrades, especially with changes in the environment like new walls or furniture installation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of radio beacon nodes that provide unidirectional broadcasting for improved location tracking coverage without altering the static network infrastructure, allowing for enhanced positioning accuracy through synchronization and adaptive transmission timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radio beacon nodes are added to improve location tracking coverage and accuracy, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the location tracking function into two independent parts: the static network infrastructure (LTS nodes) that forms the base network, and the movable radio beacon nodes that enhance coverage. This segmentation allows accuracy improvement without complicating the core network topology, as beacon nodes operate independently with unidirectional broadcasting.
Solution Approach 2:
Radio beacon nodes act as intermediary elements between the static LTS infrastructure and mobile tags. They provide additional positioning references without requiring integration into the core network topology, thus improving positioning accuracy while maintaining network simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If the network topology is modified to improve location tracking accuracy in changing environments, then positioning accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the static network infrastructure from dynamic enhancement elements. The LTS nodes remain fixed and simple, while radio beacon nodes can be dynamically added, removed, or moved based on environmental changes, making the system adaptable without requiring complex reconfiguration of the core network.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning enhancement function is extracted from the core network infrastructure and implemented through independent radio beacon nodes. This extraction allows accuracy improvements without modifying or complicating the existing LTS network topology or operation procedures.
3Measurement precision
If radio beacon nodes transmit continuously to maintain accurate location tracking, then positioning accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Radio beacon nodes transmit beacon frames periodically rather than continuously. The transmission timing is synchronized with LTS nodes using a coordinated universal time reference, allowing mobile tags to efficiently receive positioning information while beacon nodes conserve energy during non-transmission periods.
Data Source
AI summary
This document presents a wireless location tracking system comprising a plurality of location tracking nodes to cover an area where the location tracking is to be carried out, wherein the location tracking nodes are configurable to form a static communication network infrastructure for routing communication messages; at least one mobile tag being location-tracked; and a control apparatus configured to receive through the communication network infrastructure a message associating said at least one mobile tag to at least one location tracking node and to map the location of the mobile tag on the basis of said association. The system further comprises at least one radio beacon node disposable to improve the coverage of the location tracking system.