Receiving Node TOA Estimation via Cross-Correlation Peak Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining Time Of Arrival (TOA) in wireless networks face challenges in accuracy due to multipath effects and interference, particularly in indoor scenarios, where setting thresholds for detecting the Line-of-Sight (LOS) component is difficult, leading to incorrect detection of noise or missed weak signals.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a receiving node that cross-correlates received radio signals with predefined reference signals to obtain a Cross-Correlated Function (CCF), iteratively identifies and suppresses significant peaks, and determines TOA based on candidate estimates, eliminating the need for adaptive thresholds and improving robustness to noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If adaptive thresholds are used for detecting LOS component, then detection flexibility is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection flexibilityVSAvoidthreshold setting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the threshold value through signal processing operations. The receiving node calculates the threshold based on the cross-correlation function and signal characteristics without requiring manual configuration or complex adaptive algorithms, thereby simplifying the detection process while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter approach by deriving the threshold dynamically from signal parameters (cross-correlation values, signal power) rather than using fixed or manually adapted thresholds. This parameter-based automatic thresholding resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable through mathematical relationships inherent in the signal itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional TOA estimation methods are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to multipath effects and noise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidTOA estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing cross-correlation processing and threshold-based peak detection before final TOA determination. This preliminary signal processing enhances the reliability of TOA estimation by pre-processing the signal to emphasize the LOS component and suppress multipath effects, while maintaining relatively simple implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the cross-correlation function results are fed back into the detection process. The threshold comparison and peak identification use feedback from the correlation analysis to iteratively refine TOA estimates, improving measurement precision through feedback-driven signal characterization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If threshold-based detection is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability and robustness to noise worsen due to incorrect noise detection and missed weak signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidsignal detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cross-correlation function serves as an intermediary between the raw received signal and the final TOA detection. This intermediary processing step transforms the signal into a form where the LOS component is enhanced and noise is suppressed, allowing simple threshold-based detection to achieve high reliability without directly processing the noisy original signal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enhances TOA estimation accuracy by focusing on the strongest peak in the cross-correlation function, reducing noise interference and eliminating the need for signal quality to threshold mapping, thereby improving positioning accuracy in wireless networks.

Implementation Method 1

the receiving node detects the received radio signal by cross-correlating the received radio signal with a predefined reference signal transmitted by the transmitting node

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross-correlation:

Data Source

PatentUS10673485B2Method and receiving node for determining time of arrival, TOA, for a received radio signal

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method and a receiving node for determining Time Of Arrival (TOA) for a radio signal received from a transmitting node in a wireless network. The receiving node detects the received radio signal by cross-correlating the received radio signal with a predefined reference signal transmitted by the transmitting node, to obtain a Cross-Correlated Function (CCF). The receiving node then estimates a set of candidate TOAs for respective signal components of the cross-correlated signal, and determines a final TOA for the received radio signal based on the set of candidate TOAs.