Small Cell Altitude Calibration Using User and Weather Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Small cell wireless base stations often provide inaccurate altitude measurements due to uncalibrated pressure sensors, leading to suboptimal spectrum allocation and delayed emergency services dispatch.
Innovation Solution
An altitude server that uses data from user devices and weather stations to calibrate small cell barometric pressure readings, determining a more accurate altitude for improved spectrum allocation and emergency service dispatch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If small cell uses pressure sensor to determine altitude, then altitude measurement is obtained, but measurement precision deteriorates over time due to sensor inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by obtaining barometric pressure readings from multiple user devices at known altitudes (from GPS or other reliable sources) before using the small cell's pressure sensor for altitude determination. This preliminary calibration establishes a reference relationship between pressure readings and actual altitudes, compensating for the small cell sensor's drift and inaccuracy over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously collects barometric pressure readings from user devices and compares them with altitude data from GPS or other reliable sources. This feedback loop allows the system to detect drift in the small cell's pressure sensor and dynamically adjust calibration parameters to maintain measurement accuracy without requiring manual recalibration.
2Productivity
If small cell provides altitude data to spectrum access system, then spectrum allocation is optimized, but incorrect altitude data causes suboptimal allocation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where altitude measurements from the small cell's pressure sensor are continuously validated against altitude data derived from user device GPS coordinates and barometric readings. This feedback ensures that only accurate altitude data is provided to the spectrum access system, preventing suboptimal spectrum allocation decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary calibration process that mediates between the small cell's pressure sensor and the spectrum access system. User devices act as intermediaries, providing reference altitude data through GPS and barometric readings, which are used to calibrate the small cell's sensor output before it is used for spectrum allocation decisions.
3Ease of operation
If small cell altitude data is used for emergency services dispatch, then dispatch location is determined, but incorrect altitude leads to incorrect physical location
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration of the altitude measurement system using user devices with known locations (from GPS) and reliable barometric readings before emergency services dispatch. This ensures that the altitude data provided to emergency services is accurate and corresponds to the correct physical location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses user devices as intermediaries to validate and calibrate altitude measurements. By comparing the small cell's pressure-based altitude with altitude derived from user device GPS coordinates and barometric readings, the system ensures accurate physical location determination for emergency services dispatch.
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
Enhances spectrum allocation efficiency and reduces the likelihood of incorrect emergency service dispatch by providing precise altitude data.
Implementation Method 1
a barometric pressure device that provides a barometric pressure reading that the small cell can use to determine an altitude
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive small cell data associated with a small cell, wherein the small cell data includes small cell location data and a small cell barometric pressure reading. The device may identify a calibration user device connected to the small cell and may receive, from the calibration user device, a user device barometric pressure reading. The device may calibrate, based on the user device barometric pressure reading, the small cell barometric pressure reading to obtain a calibrated small cell barometric pressure reading. The device may identify a reference weather station and may receive, from the reference weather station, weather station data, wherein the weather station data includes a weather station barometric pressure reading, and a weather station altitude that indicates an altitude of the reference weather station. The device may determine a small cell altitude based on the calibrated small cell barometric pressure reading and the weather station data.