RSS-Based Emergency Positioning Using Sidelink Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GPS technologies used in emergency search and rescue operations often fail to provide accurate location determination, especially in indoor environments and areas with limited macro base stations.
Innovation Solution
A received signal strength (RSS)-based emergency positioning system that utilizes sidelink signals to accurately locate user positions without relying on macro base stations (MBSs) or GPS, using a processor and one or more locators to estimate RSS distance and angle of arrival.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS technology is used for emergency positioning, then positioning coverage is provided, but positioning accuracy is insufficient especially in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces locators as intermediary devices that establish direct sidelink communication with target UEs. These locators act as mediators between the UE and the positioning system, enabling accurate positioning in environments where GPS fails by using RSS-based distance estimation and AOA-based angle estimation through direct device-to-locator communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a ground-based RSS and AOA measurement system. By substituting the satellite signal mechanism with direct sidelink signal transmission and reception, the system achieves accurate positioning in indoor and GPS-denied environments through processor-based signal analysis.
2Measurement precision
If TDOA-based positioning is used, then positioning can be achieved with base stations, but the system requires synchronization across all sensors and at least three base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning functionality from the base station infrastructure and implements it in standalone locator devices. By removing the dependency on base station synchronization and multiple base station requirements, the system achieves positioning using only one or more locators with direct sidelink communication, significantly simplifying system configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The locators perform self-synchronization and autonomous positioning operations without requiring coordination with multiple base stations. Each locator independently measures RSS and AOA of sidelink signals from the target UE and computes position information, enabling the system to function with minimal infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If conventional RSS estimation schemes are used, then positioning can be achieved, but computational complexity and hardware requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective locator devices with simplified hardware architectures that perform RSS-based distance estimation and AOA-based angle estimation. By using readily available processors and antenna modules in locators rather than complex base station infrastructure, the system achieves accurate positioning with reduced hardware and computational complexity.
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 achieves efficient and accurate detection of target user locations in various environments, offering higher computational efficiency and decent estimation accuracy, while reducing hardware and computational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
estimating, by the processor, a final RSS distance of the target UE with respect to the locator based on RSS values of the received uplink signals
Implementation Method 2
estimating, by the processor, an angle of arrival for the locator based on a radiation pattern of the received uplink signals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a received signal strength (RSS)-based emergency positioning method and system for locating a target user equipment (UE). The method comprises: broadcasting sidelink signals to request UEs from surroundings to transmit identification signals; identifying a target UE based on the plurality of identification signals; estimating, by the processor, a final RSS distance of the target UE with respect to the locator based on RSS values of received uplink signals; estimating an angle of arrival for the locator; and computing location of the targe UE based on the obtained RSS distance and the obtained angle of arrival. The present invention can locate the target position without the assistance of global positioning system (GPS) and macro base station (MBS), and achieve a better localization performance than the commercial MBS and GPS-based localization approaches.