Radio Propagation Digital Twin Calibration With Selective RF Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating a radio propagation digital twin are inefficient due to the need for costly human intervention and redundant measurements, which fail to accurately capture the permittivity of objects in the radiofrequency environment, leading to suboptimal calibration and resource waste.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that autonomously characterizes the radiofrequency environment by obtaining geometrical and radiofrequency properties of physical objects, selecting the most impactful paths for measurements, and estimating permittivities using ray-tracing simulations and robot-assisted measurements, thereby minimizing the number of required measurements and eliminating human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If heuristic methods are used to determine measurement locations, then human intervention is required which is costly, but the method cannot guarantee that measurements are enough for a given performance of calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-characterization by automatically selecting measurement locations and determining which physical objects to measure based on ray-tracing simulations. The automated selection process evaluates the impact of each object on radiofrequency paths and autonomously identifies the most impactful objects, eliminating the need for human intervention in location determination while ensuring sufficient calibration performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary ray-tracing simulations to identify and rank physical objects by their impact on radiofrequency paths before actual measurements are taken. This preliminary analysis allows the system to pre-determine the optimal measurement locations and select only the most critical objects for measurement, ensuring calibration performance is achieved efficiently.
2Measurement precision
If multiple Tx-Rx pairs are used for measurements, then more complete permittivity calibration can be achieved, but more measurements are required causing resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and focuses measurements only on the most impactful physical objects identified through ray-tracing simulations. By selecting a reduced subset of critical objects rather than measuring all objects in the environment, the system achieves complete permittivity calibration for the dominant objects while significantly reducing the total number of measurements required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different measurement strategies to different physical objects based on their individual impact on radiofrequency paths. High-impact objects are prioritized for measurement with multiple Tx-Rx pairs, while low-impact objects are either measured with fewer pairs or excluded from measurement entirely, optimizing the distribution of measurement resources.
3Reliability
If redundant measurements are performed, then measurement coverage is improved, but time and memory resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs measurements selectively on only the necessary subset of physical objects that have the greatest impact on radiofrequency propagation. By measuring partially (only the most critical objects) rather than excessively (all objects), the system achieves sufficient measurement coverage for accurate digital twin generation while minimizing time and resource consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the time and resources needed for measurements while ensuring accurate characterization of the radiofrequency environment, enabling the generation of a reliable radio propagation digital twin for optimizing antenna deployment and resource allocation.
Implementation Method 1
The radio channel between a transmitter and a receiver can be modelled as the propagation of electromagnetic rays in the environment
Implementation Method 2
rays encounter several objects where their path and their electromagnetic properties can change according to the nature of such objects, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, etc.
Implementation Method 3
rays encounter several objects where their path and their electromagnetic properties can change according to the nature of such objects, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, etc.
Implementation Method 4
rays encounter several objects where their path and their electromagnetic properties can change according to the nature of such objects, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, etc.
Implementation Method 5
at least one robot carrying at least one of a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna, so as to position said robot at one of said transmitter position and receiver position
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for characterizing a radiofrequency environment, the method comprising: - obtaining measurements (S1.1) of geometrical properties of physical objects in the radiofrequency environment, said geometrical properties including at least respective positions and dimensions of said physical objects, - simulating radiofrequency ray-tracings (S1.2) involving a multiplicity of simulated rays, each ray being: * emitted by a transmitter (Tx) located in said radiofrequency environment in a transmitter position, and/or * received by a receiver (Rx) located in said radiofrequency environment in a receiver position, each pair of a transmitter position and a receiver position defining therebetween a radiofrequency path where simulated rays possibly interact with at least a part of said physical objects, - selecting (S2.1), among all the radiofrequency paths, at least one radiofrequency path defined by simulated rays interacting with the physical objects which interact the most with simulated rays, - obtaining radiofrequency measurements (S2.2) of a radiofrequency channel defined by the selected path and estimating radiofrequency properties (03.1) of physical objects interacting in said selected path, Said radiofrequency properties and said geometrical properties of said physical objects characterizing thereby said radiofrequency environment.