Selective Network Component RTT Measurement for Wireless Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating devices in wireless networks often require unnecessary network components and excessive communication, leading to inefficiencies in determining device location, especially in dynamic environments where location changes frequently.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that utilize network components to measure received signal strength and determine whether to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement based on signal strength and parameters, with the results used by a server to determine the device's location, optimizing the participation of network components in location processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all network components within range respond to location requests and perform RTT measurements, then location determination can be performed, but network communication overhead and processing resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies a subset of network components that are most suitable for performing RTT measurements based on signal strength criteria. Instead of involving all network components, the system selectively engages only those components whose received signal strength exceeds a threshold, thereby reducing network communication overhead while maintaining location determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the roles of network components based on their local signal strength characteristics. Network components with stronger received signals are selected to perform RTT measurements, while those with weaker signals are excluded. This localized selection optimizes the contribution of each component to the location determination process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple network components perform RTT measurements, then location accuracy improves, but the number of network communications and processing operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts a minimal sufficient subset of network components for RTT measurements by applying signal strength thresholds. This extraction ensures that enough components are selected to maintain location accuracy while avoiding the inefficiency of involving all possible components, thus optimizing network processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selecting only the necessary number of network components based on signal strength criteria rather than using all available components. This partial engagement of network components achieves sufficient location accuracy without the excessive processing overhead of involving all network components.
3Quantity of substance
If network components with weak signal strength participate in RTT measurements, then more components are available for location determination, but measurement reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by evaluating the signal strength characteristic of each network component individually and selecting only those that meet the threshold criterion. This ensures that all participating components have sufficiently strong signals for reliable measurements, while still maximizing the number of qualifying components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses received signal strength as a proxy or copy of measurement quality without actually performing the RTT measurement first. By evaluating this surrogate metric (signal strength), the system can predict which components will provide reliable measurements and select them accordingly, avoiding unreliable measurements from components with weak signals.
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
This approach reduces unnecessary network communication and resource usage by selectively engaging network components in location determination, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in tracking device locations within wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a received signal strength of the signal
Implementation Method 2
performing the RTT measurement with the device
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments provide methods and systems for locating a device in a wireless network. In one aspect, a device may broadcast a signal, and one or more network components may measure the received signal strength of the signal. Based on the signal strength and/or at least one or more parameters, the one or more network components may determine whether to perform a round trip time measurement with the network device. The network components may perform the round trip time measurement based on the determination and report the results of the measurement to a server. The server may be configured to determine the location of the network device based on the round trip time measurement.