Time-of-Flight Positioning Using Wireless Cooperation Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Accurate and real-time indoor navigation and positioning are challenging due to the lack of satellite and cellular signal reception in indoor environments, unlike outdoor settings where global navigation-satellite-systems (GNSS) and cellular systems are effective.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing time-of-flight (ToF) positioning within IEEE 802.11 wireless networks, where a positioning station receives a ToF cooperation table from an access point, performs ToF positioning protocols with cooperating stations and access points, and determines its location using ranges and current positions, even with insufficient access points, by incorporating non-AP network elements as cooperating stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional positioning methods using satellite signals are used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system cannot operate in indoor environments where satellite signals are blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces wireless access points and mobile stations as intermediary elements to enable positioning in indoor environments. These intermediaries relay positioning information and facilitate time-of-flight measurements between the positioning station and reference points, allowing positioning to function without direct satellite signal access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the satellite-based radio signal system with a local wireless network-based system using Wi-Fi access points and mobile stations. This substitution enables positioning functionality to work in indoor environments by using available wireless infrastructure instead of satellite signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If multiple access points and cooperating stations are required for ToF positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system complexity and number of required components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables mobile stations to serve dual functions: as user devices requiring positioning and as cooperating stations providing positioning assistance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated infrastructure components while maintaining positioning accuracy through time-of-flight measurements involving multiple stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a system where mobile stations can autonomously participate in positioning protocols, exchanging timing information and performing measurements without requiring centralized control or additional dedicated reference stations. Each station contributes to the positioning of others using its own resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables improved indoor navigation and positioning by allowing ToF positioning with a single access point, reducing the need for requests from multiple cooperating stations and access points, and providing increased coverage by using mobile stations as access points, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional systems.

Implementation Method 1

time-of-flight (ToF) positioning

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP2965113B1Communication station and method for time-of-flight positioning using cooperating stations

Publication Date: 2018.04.18 INTEL CORP

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AI summary

Embodiments of a communication station and method for time-of-flight (ToF) positioning in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a ToF cooperation table may be received by a positioning station from an access point. The ToF cooperation table may identify one or more cooperating stations and may include information about each cooperating station for ToF positioning. A ToF positioning protocol may be performed with at least some of the cooperating stations identified in the ToF cooperation table using the information in the ToF cooperation table. During the ToF positioning protocol, a current position and a station positional accuracy may be received from each cooperating station. The current position may be a position when ToF is measured. A location of the positioning station may be determined based on the current positions and the ranges to each of the cooperating stations determined from the ToF positioning protocol.