RF Mapping With Sensor-Generated 2D/3D Floor Plans
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network planning tools require a pre-existing floor plan to map RF measurements, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive to create, and do not provide accurate real-time network assessments.
Innovation Solution
A device using sensors, antennas, and software to generate a multi-dimensional model of a physical environment by detecting RF signals and sensor information, enabling RF measurements without a prior floor plan, and mapping these measurements to locations in a 2D or 3D model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a pre-existing floor plan is used to map RF measurements, then the mapping can be performed, but significant time and labor are required to create the floor plan
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates the floor plan itself using sensors (cameras, LIDAR, depth sensors) to capture and process images of the physical environment, eliminating the need for manual floor plan creation by users
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical processes of creating floor plans are replaced by automated optical and electromagnetic sensing systems that capture spatial information and generate digital representations automatically
2Measurement precision
If traditional network planning tools are used, then RF measurements can be mapped, but real-time accurate network assessment is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures RF measurements and sensor data in real-time as the device moves through the environment, continuously updating the floor plan and network assessment without interruption or batch processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by mapping RF measurements to the generated floor plan immediately, allowing users to see network coverage and quality assessments as they are collected, enabling iterative optimization
3Productivity
If manual floor plan creation is required, then existing tools can function, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs self-surveying by automatically navigating or being moved through the environment, autonomously capturing spatial and RF data, and generating the floor plan without requiring manual measurement or documentation efforts
Solution Approach 2:
A single device integrates multiple functions including environmental scanning, floor plan generation, RF measurement, and network assessment into one unified system, eliminating the need for separate tools and processes
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
Enables efficient, accurate, and time-saving network planning and troubleshooting by automatically generating a multi-dimensional model of the physical and RF environment, providing heat maps and network optimization without the need for a pre-existing floor plan.
Implementation Method 1
detect RF signals in a physical environment using one or more antennas
Data Source
AI summary
A device can detect radio frequency (RF) signals in a physical environment using one or more antennas of a device. The device can generate RF measurements based on the RF signals. The device can also generate a multi-dimensional model of the physical environment based on sensor information from one or more sensors of the device. For example, the multi-dimensional model could be a 2D or 3D floor plan of the physical environment. The device can then map the RF measurements to locations in the multi-dimensional model. In some implementations, the device can configure a graphical user interface to display the multi-dimensional model and the mapping. For example, the display could represent a heat map for determining a change to a network. Other aspects are also described and claimed.