Ranging Constellation Calibration in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless technologies face challenges in improving location services, particularly in deep-indoor and outdoor environments with poor signal quality, channel variability, calibration errors, and high power consumption, especially when determining precise location coordinates through ranging measurements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of improved calibration and power management for combined ranging and location services, utilizing ranging constellations and anchor UEs to enhance accuracy and reduce power consumption, by forming groups of anchor UEs that assist in determining location coordinates through trilateration and triangulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ranging reference signals are transmitted frequently to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but signaling overhead and network load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ranging reference signal is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: it enables both positioning measurements and calibration of the ranging constellation. By making the signal universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate calibration signals, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining positioning accuracy through the use of the same high-precision reference signal for both functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the positioning function and calibration function into a single ranging reference signal transmission process. Instead of transmitting separate signals for positioning and calibration, the system uses one integrated signal that fulfills both roles, thereby reducing the total quantity of signaling overhead while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Area of stationary object

If ranging reference signals are transmitted over long distances to expand coverage area, then coverage is improved, but signal attenuation and measurement errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network entity receives ranging measurements from user equipment and uses these measurements to dynamically adjust and update the ranging constellation calibration. This feedback loop allows the system to compensate for signal attenuation and environmental variations over long distances, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy across expanded coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts ranging constellation parameters based on measured signal conditions and calibration data. By changing parameters such as timing advance values and power levels according to distance and environmental conditions, the patent maintains measurement precision even when signals traverse long distances across expanded coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If existing infrastructure is used without calibration to reduce deployment cost, then deployment cost is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to hardware variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment costVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the ranging system to perform self-calibration using existing infrastructure. The network entity automatically adjusts the ranging constellation based on measurements received from user equipment, eliminating the need for manual site surveys and professional calibration services. This self-service approach maintains positioning accuracy while reducing deployment costs by leveraging existing hardware variations rather than requiring additional calibrated equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration actions automatically during initial network setup and operation. By pre-adjusting the ranging constellation parameters based on early measurements and calibration data, the patent compensates for hardware variations before they significantly impact positioning accuracy, thereby maintaining precision without increasing deployment cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If manual site surveys are conducted to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning precision is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical site survey processes with an automated electronic calibration system. The network entity automatically performs calibration computations and adjusts ranging constellation parameters based on digital measurements from user equipment, eliminating the need for physical site surveys. This substitution dramatically reduces calibration time while maintaining positioning accuracy through automated optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback-based calibration where the network entity automatically receives positioning measurements and adjusts the ranging constellation in real-time or near-real-time. This automated feedback loop eliminates the time-consuming manual site survey process while maintaining high positioning accuracy through continuous optimization based on actual measurement data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4483199B1Calibration of ranging constellations in wireless networks
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4483199B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~2
  • EP4483199B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4483199B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Calibration of ranging constellations in wireless networks The invention relates to a wireless system and methods for managing and/or configuring ranging capable devices to form a ranging constellation to support ranging-based positioning services. Multiple challenges in determining a need for calibration in ranging services to improve accuracy and/or reduce power consumption are addressed.