Electronic Device Location Using Selective Anchor Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication methods for locating electronic devices in vehicles consume high current due to unnecessary listening for anchor responses, leading to battery inefficiency and potential inaccuracies in location determination.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a central unit and anchors with a receiving circuit configured in two modes: deactivated during non-allocated time slots and active during allocated slots, based on signal quality, to optimize current consumption and accuracy by selectively receiving reply signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the electronic device continuously listens for anchor responses during all time slots, then the location accuracy is maintained, but the current consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device performs a preliminary action by transmitting an initiation signal before the anchor response phase. This initiation signal allows the system to identify which anchors are within range and capable of responding, so the device only needs to listen during time slots allocated to those specific anchors rather than continuously listening during all time slots.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving circuit dynamically switches between active and deactivated states based on the allocated time slots. The device activates the receiving circuit only during time slots when anchors that transmitted responses are scheduled to reply, and deactivates it during other time slots, creating a dynamic power management strategy that adapts to the communication schedule.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the receiving circuit is deactivated during non-allocated time slots, then the current consumption is reduced, but the device may miss important location data
Solution Approach 1:
The initiation signal transmitted by the electronic device serves as a preliminary action that prepares the system for the subsequent response phase. By sending this signal first, the device enables anchors to identify themselves and their allocated time slots, ensuring that when the device activates the receiving circuit, it knows exactly which time slots to monitor for location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the anchor responses to the initiation signal to determine which time slots are relevant for receiving location data. The anchors' responses provide information about their identity and allocated time slots, creating a feedback loop that allows the electronic device to intelligently activate the receiving circuit only when necessary.
3Measurement precision
If all anchors transmit signals during their allocated time slots, then the location accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time domain is segmented into distinct time slots, with each time slot allocated to a specific anchor. This segmentation allows multiple anchors to transmit signals without interference, as each anchor has its own dedicated time window. The initiation signal process helps identify which segments (time slots) are relevant for location measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages the activation of the receiving circuit based on the segmented time slots. Rather than continuously monitoring all anchors, the device dynamically activates the receiver only during specific time slots when relevant anchors are scheduled to transmit, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to process signals from multiple anchors.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is described for locating an electronic device in the vicinity of an array having a central unit and anchors connected to the central unit. The method is applied during at least a communication cycle comprising a plurality of time slots each allocated to a distinct anchor. The method involves receiving an initiation signal from the electronic device, performing an election of a set of anchor(s) based on the reception quality of the initiation signal, emitting a reply signal during a respective allocated time slot, operating the electronic device in a first configuration during the time slots which are not allocated to one of the anchors the elected set, operating the electronic device in a second configuration during the time slot allocated to the elected set to detect and receive a reply signal, and calculating a location of the electronic device based on the reply signal.