RF Device Relative Position Determination Using Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF communication networks, such as UWB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, face ambiguity in determining the relative position of nodes due to the use of only two antennas for angle-of-arrival measurements, which cannot distinguish between symmetric angles, requiring additional hardware like a third antenna to resolve this issue.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a first RF communication device measuring and sensing angles of arrival and orientations at two different times, using the differences between these measurements to determine the relative position of a second RF communication device, thereby resolving the ambiguity without the need for additional antennas by incorporating orientation data into the angle-of-arrival measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only two antennas are used for angle-of-arrival measurements, then hardware requirements and costs are reduced, but the system cannot distinguish between symmetric angles causing position determination ambiguity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by performing angle-of-arrival measurements at two different time points. By measuring the angle at time t1 and t2, and comparing the change in angle with the change in device orientation, the system resolves the symmetric angle ambiguity that plagues single-time measurements with only two antennas. This transforms a 2D spatial measurement problem into a 3D problem that includes time, allowing unambiguous position determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses orientation sensor feedback to compensate for device movement between measurements. By continuously monitoring the device's orientation changes and using this information to adjust or validate the angle-of-arrival measurements, the system maintains measurement accuracy despite device motion, resolving the ambiguity that would otherwise require additional antennas.
2Measurement precision
If additional antennas are added to resolve symmetric angle ambiguity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding spatial dimensions (more antennas), the patent adds a temporal dimension by performing measurements at multiple time points. This allows the system to achieve unambiguous position determination through the time-based differentiation of symmetric angles, avoiding the need for additional hardware antennas while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from a single static angle measurement to a dynamic sequence of angle measurements over time. By analyzing the temporal evolution of the angle-of-arrival measurements combined with orientation data, the system achieves precise position determination without requiring additional antennas, effectively using parameter transformation to resolve the contradiction.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurements are taken at different times, then position determination accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary orientation sensing and angle measurement setup in advance, capturing the initial state at time t1. This preliminary action establishes a reference point that, when combined with the second measurement at t2, enables rapid resolution of position ambiguity without requiring extensive measurement sequences, thus reducing the overall time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic measurements at two distinct time points rather than continuous measurement. This periodic approach balances the need for temporal differentiation to resolve ambiguity with the constraint of minimizing measurement time, achieving accurate position determination through strategically timed measurements rather than continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for facilitating a relative position determination is disclosed, comprising: a first radio frequency (RF) communication device measures a first angle of arrival, being an angle of arrival of a first RF signal received from a second RF communication device; the first RF communication device senses its orientation at a first time, resulting in a first orientation; the first RF communication device measures a second angle of arrival, being an angle of arrival of a second RF signal received from the second RF communication device; the first RF communication device senses its orientation at a second time, resulting in a second orientation; the relative position of the second RF communication device with respect to the first RF communication device is determined using a difference between the first angle of arrival and the second angle of arrival and a difference between the first orientation and the second orientation.