Relay-Based UWB Positioning Beyond Direct Communication Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited communication range of UWB technology hinders its application in object positioning and tracking beyond 100 meters, requiring additional communication technologies that increase costs and may cause poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method for ultra-wideband positioning that networks multiple UWB devices, using relay devices to expand communication coverage while maintaining precision, allowing positioning without additional devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB technology is used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but communication range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the positioning task into multiple hops through relay devices. Each relay device performs local UWB positioning with neighboring devices, and results are aggregated to determine positions beyond direct communication range. This allows the system to maintain high positioning precision while extending the effective communication and positioning range.
Solution Approach 2:
Relay devices act as intermediaries between the originating device and destination device when they are beyond direct UWB communication range. These relay devices receive positioning requests, perform local positioning measurements, and forward results through the network, enabling positioning precision to be maintained even when devices are separated by distances exceeding direct UWB range.
2Length of stationary object
If additional communication technologies are used to extend range, then communication range is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing UWB devices multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as endpoints and as relay nodes. Relay devices use their existing UWB capabilities to perform positioning measurements and message forwarding without requiring additional communication technologies, thus extending range while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
UWB devices in the network serve themselves as relay nodes for positioning operations. When a device needs positioning beyond direct range, other devices in the network voluntarily act as relays using their own UWB capabilities, eliminating the need for additional communication infrastructure or technologies and keeping device complexity low.
3Length of stationary object
If relay devices are introduced to expand coverage, then communication range is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where relay devices receive positioning requests, perform local measurements, and return results to the originating device. This structured feedback approach through multiple hops allows the system to manage complexity by breaking down the positioning task into manageable segments with clear input-output relationships at each relay node.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system segments the network into originating devices, relay devices, and destination devices with clearly defined roles. Each segment performs specific functions (request generation, relay forwarding, position determination) which simplifies the overall system complexity while enabling extended communication range through the coordinated operation of these segmented components.
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
Expands communication coverage effectively while maintaining precision in ranging and positioning, enabling UWB-based tracking in areas not covered by wide area networks without additional devices.
Implementation Method 1
the UWB technology disperses signals on a very wide frequency band, so that communication based on the UWB technology is unlikely to be interfered, and even a low-energy signal can be correctly interpreted
Implementation Method 2
a distance may be accurately calculated by calculating a difference between time when a transmitter device sends a signal and time when a receiver device receives the signal. This is referred to as a time of flight ranging (Time of Flight, ToF) function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4(a)
AI summary
This application provides an ultra wide band positioning method, used in a system including an originating device, a plurality of relay devices, and a destination device. The method includes: The originating device generates and sends a first UWB positioning request. The plurality of relay devices forward at least one second UWB positioning request to the destination device through at least one path. The destination device receives the at least one second UWB positioning request, and selects one second UWB positioning request from the at least one second UWB positioning request as a valid UWB positioning request based on an identifier of the relay device included in the at least one second UWB positioning request. The destination device determines, based on the valid UWB positioning request, a positioning path that passes through a relay device and connects the originating device and the destination device, and generates and sends a UWB positioning response corresponding to the valid UWB positioning request. The originating device receives the UWB positioning response, and determines a position of the destination device relative to the originating device based on the UWB positioning response.