RF Beacon Ranging System for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terrestrial positioning systems, such as GPS, are unreliable or unavailable inside buildings and structures due to obstructions, limiting the accuracy and reliability of location services in environments like large industrial buildings or areas with thick undergrowth.
Innovation Solution
A terrestrial ranging system utilizing an electronic scanned array (ESA) antenna and transceiver beacons that emit and receive radio frequency (RF) phased-array narrow beams to calculate the angle-of-arrival (AOA) and time-of-flight (TOF) of signals from end user nodes, determining their location relative to the beacons, even through obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS satellite signals are used for positioning, then location services are available outdoors, but the system becomes unreliable or unavailable inside buildings and structures due to obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RF beacons as intermediary devices installed within buildings and structures to mediate the positioning function. These beacons receive satellite signals externally and re-transmit them internally, serving as intermediaries that bypass the obstruction problem. The beacons create a local positioning network that operates independently of direct satellite visibility, thereby resolving the reliability issue indoors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct line-of-sight electromagnetic signal transmission mechanism with an indirect multi-hop transmission system. Instead of relying on direct satellite-to-receiver electromagnetic propagation, the system uses a network of RF beacons that relay positioning signals through multiple transmission stages, substituting the direct mechanical/electromagnetic path with a networked relay approach that can penetrate obstructions.
2Reliability
If a network of positioning stations is established throughout a structure to improve indoor positioning, then location services become available indoors, but the system requires a pre-existing installation within the building or structure
Solution Approach 1:
The RF beacons are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as satellite signal receivers, internal signal transmitters, positioning reference points, and potential communication nodes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated positioning infrastructure, as the same devices can fulfill multiple roles in the positioning ecosystem, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic signal scanning and electronic beam steering capabilities in the RF beacons. The beacons can dynamically adjust their signal transmission patterns and scan different spatial zones, allowing the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and obstruction patterns without requiring physical reconfiguration of the infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If traditional ranging technologies are used to improve indoor positioning, then location services can be provided, but the resolution and reliability are significantly limited in various environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning function into multiple independent RF beacon nodes distributed throughout the area of interest. Each beacon independently measures signal parameters (time of flight, angle of arrival, signal strength) from satellites and from user devices. This segmentation allows for distributed measurement that improves both precision through multiple data points and reliability through redundancy, as the system can tolerate individual beacon failures or signal blockages.
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
The system provides accurate and reliable location determination of end user nodes within a perimeter, achieving a resolution of up to 1 meter at 100 meters distance, capable of penetrating building construction and foliage, and can operate independently of local infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
Each phase shifter can correspond to a radiator aperture in an electronic scanned array (ESA) antenna. The phase shifter can phase shift each RF signal to form a narrow in-phase beam in a specified direction.
Implementation Method 2
The ESA antenna is configured to emit a separate radio frequency (RF) phased-array narrow beam for each of a plurality of segments of an arc
Implementation Method 3
The processing module can be configured to calculate at least one of an angle-of-arrival (AOA) and a time-of-flight (TOF) from the response signal and generate a location of the end user node relative to a location of the beacon
Implementation Method 4
The processing module can be configured to calculate at least one of an angle-of-arrival (AOA) and a time-of-flight (TOF) from the response signal
Data Source
AI summary
A ranging system includes at least one beacon and a control module. The at least one beacon is configured to scan each segment in a plurality of segments of an arc with a narrow radio frequency (RF) beam and receive a response signal from an end user node in at least one segment. Each segment of the arc is scanned at a specified time interval. The control module is configured to communicate with the at least one beacon. The control module is further configured to calculate at least one of an angle-of-arrival (AOA) and a time-of-flight (TOF) of a response signal from the end user node to the beacon and generate an end user node location relative to a beacon location.