Radiobeacon Station Satellite Synchronization Indoor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current indoor location systems face challenges such as complex infrastructure installation, synchronization issues, and interference, particularly in environments where GNSS signals are weak, leading to inaccurate and unreliable positioning, especially for emergency services.

Innovation Solution

A combined satellite and terrestrial system that uses radiobeacon stations to transmit beacon signals synchronized by satellite navigation data, allowing user devices to determine their location through time-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival measurements without the need for cabling or extensive calibration, enabling seamless transition between outdoor and indoor environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional indoor location systems are deployed, then location determination capability is provided, but installation complexity and infrastructure cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure installation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces radiobeacon stations as intermediary devices that receive satellite navigation signals and re-broadcast them as terrestrial beacon signals. This mediator enables indoor location determination without requiring complex infrastructure installation, as the radiobeacon stations leverage existing satellite navigation infrastructure while providing localized indoor positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The radiobeacon stations perform multiple functions: they receive satellite navigation data, determine their own location, generate beacon signals with location information, and transmit these signals to user devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate infrastructure components, simplifying installation while maintaining reliable location determination.

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

2Measurement precision

If satellite navigation data is used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy improves, but system complexity increases due to signal processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each radiobeacon station independently processes satellite navigation data to determine its own location and synchronization timing. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized synchronization control, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high synchronization accuracy through autonomous time-of-arrival measurements and angle-of-arrival calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If multiple radiobeacon stations are deployed for accurate positioning, then location accuracy improves, but signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The radiobeacon stations transmit beacon signals at periodic intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission reduces signal interference and energy consumption while still providing sufficient data points for accurate location determination through time-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival measurements at user devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If terrestrial beacon signals are transmitted continuously, then location determination reliability is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits beacon signals periodically at optimized intervals rather than continuously. This approach maintains location determination reliability by providing sufficient signal samples for accurate positioning while significantly reducing energy consumption at the radiobeacon stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution provides efficient, accurate, and quick location determination with reduced installation time and cost, minimizing interference and supporting a large number of users across various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a satellite receiver configured to receive satellite navigation data from a satellite

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSatellite navigation signal transmission: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

a timing circuit configured to determine a timing scheme based on the satellite navigation data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime-of-arrival measurement: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 3

a terrestrial transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of beacon signals based on the determined timing scheme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal transmission: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 4

allowing user devices to determine their location through time-of-arrival and angle-of-arrival measurements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime-of-arrival measurement: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 5

transmit a plurality of beacon signals based on the determined timing scheme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal propagation: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentEP2787364B1Radiobeacon stations, user devices, location determination systems, methods for controlling a radiobeacon station, methods for controlling a user device, and location determination methods
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 INTEL CORP
  • EP2787364B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2787364B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2787364B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A radiobeacon station is described comprising: a satellite receiver configured to receive satellite navigation data from a satellite; a timing circuit configured to determine a timing scheme based on the satellite navigation data; and a terrestrial transmitter configured to transmit a plurality of beacon signals based on the determined timing scheme.