Secure Ranging via Scrambled Timestamp Sequences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficient ranging operations, particularly in reducing energy consumption and latency, especially in dense environments and high-demanding network scenarios, due to the limitations of existing IEEE standards which often require dedicated time slots and multiple message exchanges for ranging requests.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optimized ranging procedures, including single-sided and double-sided two-way ranging mechanisms, that leverage broadcast characteristics to reduce message exchanges and introduce scrambled timestamp sequences for secure ranging, allowing for multicast and contention-based transmissions, and new control information elements to manage ranging requests and responses efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated time slots and multiple message exchanges are used for ranging requests as per existing IEEE standards, then ranging operation reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ranging request messages into a single multicast message that can be received by multiple devices simultaneously. The initiator sends one ranging request that contains information for multiple responders, eliminating the need for separate unicast messages to each device. This merging approach maintains ranging reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption by avoiding repeated transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary scheduling of ranging operations where devices are pre-configured with time slots and message structures. The initiator prepares a comprehensive ranging request that anticipates responses from multiple devices, and responders are pre-notified of the ranging schedule. This preliminary action reduces the need for multiple back-and-forth message exchanges, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining operational reliability.
2Reliability
If dedicated time slots and multiple message exchanges are used for ranging requests as per existing IEEE standards, then ranging operation reliability is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sequential ranging exchanges into a parallel multicast-based approach. Instead of initiating separate ranging procedures with each responder in sequence, the initiator sends a single multicast ranging request that triggers simultaneous responses from multiple devices. This consolidation dramatically reduces the total time required for ranging operations while maintaining the reliability of distance measurements through the same timestamp-based calculation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic ranging schedules where devices are configured with predetermined time slots for transmitting and receiving ranging messages. This periodic structure allows devices to efficiently manage their communication resources and reduces waiting time compared to ad-hoc multiple message exchanges. The scheduled approach maintains reliability by ensuring dedicated time for each ranging measurement while minimizing overall latency through optimized timing.
3Measurement precision
If traditional ranging procedures are used, then ranging accuracy is maintained, but the number of message exchanges increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple traditional ranging messages into a single multicast message structure. The ranging request contains initiator information, timestamp, and responder identifiers that serve multiple devices simultaneously. Response messages are also consolidated where multiple responders can acknowledge the same ranging request. This merging maintains measurement precision by preserving the essential timestamp-based calculation while doubling or tripling the efficiency gain through reduced message count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal ranging message format that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it initiates ranging for multiple devices, carries timing information for distance calculation, and provides acknowledgment mechanisms. This multi-functional message structure replaces what would traditionally require several separate specialized messages, thereby maintaining ranging accuracy while significantly improving operational efficiency through message reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a transmit apparatus in a wireless communication system supporting ranging capability is provided. The method comprises: determining at least one receive apparatus of a group of receive apparatuses participating in a ranging operation; identifying a scrambled timestamp sequence (STS) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) format 3 (SP3) ranging request reports information element (SRRR IE) for the at least one receive apparatus of the group of receive apparatuses; and transmitting, to the at least one receive apparatus of the group of receive apparatuses participating in the ranging operation, a ranging control message (RCM) including the SRRR IE using an in-band mechanism or an out-of-band mechanism, wherein the RCM including the SRRR IE is transmitted in a time-scheduled ranging operation.