Multi-Frequency Satellite Positioning for Lower TTFF and Power Use

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing satellite-based positioning systems face challenges in achieving accurate and efficient location determination due to errors in satellite measurements, leading to suboptimal power consumption and prolonged time-to-first-fix (TTFF) in mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining satellite measurements in multiple frequencies, qualifying measurements based on error thresholds, and selectively using consistent measurements to determine the device's position, thereby enhancing accuracy and conserving power by disabling less reliable frequency bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite measurements from multiple frequency bands are used to determine position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of measurement frequency by selectively using measurements from different frequency bands (e.g., L5, L1, L2) based on their consistency. The system dynamically adjusts which frequency bands are processed and combined, rather than always processing all available frequencies, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy when possible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the satellite measurement processing by dividing measurements into different frequency bands and evaluating them separately. The system processes L5, L1, and L2 frequency measurements independently, qualifies them based on consistency checks, and selectively combines only the reliable segments, avoiding the need to process all frequency bands simultaneously and thus reducing overall computational load and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If satellite measurements from multiple frequency bands are used to determine position, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of measurement frequency by selectively using measurements from different frequency bands (e.g., L5, L1, L2) based on their consistency. The system dynamically adjusts which frequency bands are processed and combined, rather than always processing all available frequencies, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy when possible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the satellite measurement processing by dividing measurements into different frequency bands and evaluating them separately. The system processes L5, L1, and L2 frequency measurements independently, qualifies them based on consistency checks, and selectively combines only the reliable segments, avoiding the need to process all frequency bands simultaneously and thus reducing overall computational load and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If consistent satellite measurements are selectively used, then positioning reliability is improved, but time-to-first-fix is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidtime-to-first-fix

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-qualifying satellite measurements based on consistency checks before using them for position determination. The system evaluates the consistency of measurements from different frequency bands in advance, identifies reliable measurements, and stores them for quick retrieval when positioning is needed, thereby reducing the time-to-first-fix while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by selectively using high-quality consistent measurements from specific frequency bands rather than uniformly processing all measurements. The system identifies and prioritizes measurements that meet consistency criteria, applying quality-based selection at the local level of individual satellite measurements rather than treating all measurements equally, thus improving reliability without excessive time penalty.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12498490B2Satellite-based operation of a mobile device

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Techniques and apparatus for satellite-based determination of a position of a mobile device are disclosed. In some embodiments, such techniques include: obtaining a plurality of first satellite measurements in a first frequency, and a plurality of second satellite measurements in a second frequency; using at least qualified or consistent satellite measurements to determine the position of the mobile device, sending at least the qualified or consistent satellite measurements to a network device, or disabling usage of first satellite measurements in the first frequency or second satellite measurements in the second frequency.