Software Location Processing for Wireless Front-End Time-Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inflexibility in location tagging due to hardwired MODEM designs tailored for specific protocols, limiting the ability to independently manage locationing signals across different protocols and frequency bands, and requiring redundant emitters for accurate location detection, which can lead to limited availability and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a software-based location processing method that time-shares the wireless front-end between the original MODEM and a software location algorithm, using a unified hardware interface to process signals from multiple protocols and frequency bands without hardware modifications, allowing for accurate location detection and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hardwired MODEM design tailored for a specific protocol is used, then the processing of that specific protocol is optimized, but the system loses flexibility to independently manage locationing signals across different protocols and frequency bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hardware interface that can process signals from multiple wireless protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) and frequency bands through a single MODEM. The hardware is designed with configurable parameters that allow it to adapt to different protocols without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each protocol, thus achieving multi-functionality while maintaining protocol-specific processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic configuration where the MODEM can be reprogrammed and reconfigured at runtime to handle different protocols and frequency bands. The hardware interface includes configurable parameters that can be adjusted based on the required protocol, allowing the system to transition between different operational modes dynamically rather than being fixed for a single protocol
2Measurement precision
If redundant emitters are deployed for accurate location detection, then locationing accuracy is improved, but hardware complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing wireless infrastructure emitters (access points, base stations) multi-functional by enabling them to simultaneously provide both communication services and locationing services. The same hardware emitters that transmit communication signals are also used for location detection, eliminating the need for separate redundant locationing emitters and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables existing wireless infrastructure to serve dual purposes - the communication emitters automatically provide locationing capabilities through the software-based processing. The locationing function leverages the existing communication signal infrastructure, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional dedicated locationing hardware
3Measurement precision
If redundant emitters are deployed for accurate location detection, then locationing accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables existing communication emitters to simultaneously provide communication and locationing services. By making the same hardware serve dual purposes, the system avoids the additional power consumption that would result from operating separate redundant locationing emitters, thus achieving locationing accuracy without proportional increases in power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The existing wireless infrastructure automatically provides locationing capabilities through software processing of existing communication signals. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional power-consuming hardware, as the locationing function is derived from the already-transmitted communication signals rather than requiring separate power-intensive emission sources
4Adaptability or versatility
If hardware modifications are made to support multiple protocols, then protocol versatility is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal hardware interface with configurable parameters that can accommodate multiple protocols without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each protocol. The single hardware platform can be reconfigured through software to support WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular, and other protocols, avoiding the complexity and cost of multiple separate hardware systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities where the MODEM hardware can be programmatically adjusted to support different protocols at different times. This dynamic approach allows the same hardware to adapt to various protocols through software control rather than requiring fixed, protocol-specific hardware configurations, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for wireless communication is provided. The apparatus includes a transceiver, a dedicated modem, a frequency converter, at least one controller and a bus. The transceiver receives a first wireless signal associated with a first predefined wireless communication standard and a second wireless signal associated with a second predefined wireless communication standard. The dedicated modem is capable of processing the first wireless signal. The frequency converter down converts a second frequency of the second wireless signal. The controller receives data on the second wireless signal and processes the data on the second wireless signal. The bus is configured to divert the data from the second wireless signal from being received at the dedicated modem by directly transmitting the data from the second wireless signal to memory. The controller is further programmed to access the memory for processing the data on the second wireless signal.