Radio Model Quality Assessment for Indoor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite-based positioning technologies are ineffective indoors due to poor signal penetration through walls and roofs, necessitating alternative solutions for accurate navigation.

Innovation Solution

A method for obtaining and evaluating fingerprints of radio signals from communication nodes to estimate and assess the quality of radio models, providing feedback to users on the sufficiency of collected data for indoor positioning, allowing for efficient data collection and improved positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite-based positioning technologies are used outdoors, then positioning accuracy is improved, but signal penetration through walls and roofs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsignal penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is segmented into two distinct parts: outdoor satellite-based positioning (GNSS) and indoor radio signal-based positioning (WLAN). Each segment uses the most appropriate technology for its environment, with smooth transition capabilities between them. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high positioning accuracy both outdoors and indoors without compromising signal penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If fingerprints are collected continuously from mobile devices, then positioning data quality is improved, but data collection efficiency deteriorates due to lack of quality assessment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning data qualityVSAvoiddata collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the server continuously assesses the quality of collected fingerprints using radio model quality metrics. Based on this feedback, the system can determine when sufficient data has been collected for a particular location, eliminating the need for continuous indiscriminate data collection. This feedback loop maintains high positioning data quality while significantly improving data collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary quality assessment of radio models before they are fully deployed for positioning. By evaluating fingerprint quality in advance and determining when adequate coverage is achieved, the system avoids unnecessary continued data collection. This preliminary action ensures data quality requirements are met while optimizing collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If radio model quality assessment is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-assessment of radio model quality through automated evaluation of collected fingerprints. The server independently determines whether sufficient data has been collected by assessing radio model quality metrics, without requiring external intervention or complex manual validation processes. This self-service approach improves positioning accuracy while keeping system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3227706B1Supporting radio model quality assurance
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 HERE GLOBAL BV
  • EP3227706B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3227706B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3227706B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An apparatus obtains fingerprints that have been collected by at least one mobile device for supporting a positioning of other mobile devices. Each fingerprint comprising results of measurements on radio signals of at least one communication node at a particular location and an indication of the particular location. The apparatus estimates values of parameters defining a radio model for the at least one communication node based on the obtained fingerprints. The apparatus determines a quality of the radio model. The apparatus generates data for a feedback for a user of the at least one mobile device based on the determined quality of the radio model.