Time of Flight Detection Signal Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the position of a mobile device using GPS or similar systems require a large number of arithmetic operations to compute convolutions, leading to high power consumption and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves categorizing sections of the received signal and accumulating them based on categories to reduce the number of arithmetic operations required for convolution calculations, thereby minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If traditional convolution methods are used to compute pseudo-range measurements, then position determination accuracy is maintained, but the number of arithmetic operations and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the received signal into multiple sections and categorizes each section based on the probe signal waveform characteristics. By segmenting the convolution computation into category-specific processing, the system reduces the total number of arithmetic operations required while maintaining position determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters by creating category-specific accumulation methods based on signal characteristics. Instead of uniform convolution processing, the system applies different accumulation strategies to different signal categories, reducing computational complexity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If traditional convolution methods are used, then complete signal processing is achieved, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary categorization of signal sections based on probe signal characteristics before executing the convolution computation. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare category-specific accumulation structures in advance, reducing the computational complexity and processing time during the actual position determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the signal processing into category-specific sections, the patent reduces the overall computational complexity. Each category can be processed with optimized algorithms tailored to its characteristics, reducing both processing time and computational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3335439B1System and method of time of flight detection
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 STAR ALLY INT LTD
  • EP3335439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3335439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3335439B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A position-determining apparatus, such as a GPS receiver, determines the position of the mobile device based on the time of flight of a transmitted probe signal using a method in which sections of the received signal is classified into two or more categories and accumulated according to categories before being used to compute the convolutions familiar in the context of a matched filter. Using the method of the present invention to compute the convolutions, and optionally applying additional time-saving techniques described herein, a position determination is achieved using a number of arithmetic operations that is significantly reduced from that required in prior art methods to compute the convolutions. The reduced number of arithmetic operations can reduce significantly the power consumption required of a device carrying out a method of the present invention, and thereby realizing a significant advantage.