Time of Flight Measurement Synchronization via TSF Frame Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Time of Flight (ToF) measurement methods in wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the distance between devices without precise synchronization of local times, leading to increased power consumption and network usage, especially when performing active or passive scans to communicate local times.
Innovation Solution
The method involves communicating a ToF frame with a Time Synchronization Function (TSF) time value to indicate the beginning time of a ToF measurement period, allowing devices to synchronize without the need for active or passive scans, thereby reducing power consumption and network usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active or passive scans are performed to communicate local times for ToF measurement synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption and network usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding the Time Synchronization Function (TSF) time value in advance within the ToF frame itself, allowing devices to synchronize their local times during the ToF measurement exchange without requiring separate active or passive scan operations. This pre-inclusion of timing information eliminates the need for additional synchronization scans, thereby reducing power consumption and network usage while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If active or passive scans are performed to communicate local times for ToF measurement synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but network usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time synchronization function with the ToF measurement frame by incorporating the TSF time value directly into the ToF frame structure. This combination allows synchronization information to be transmitted along with ToF measurement data in a single frame exchange, eliminating the need for separate scan operations and thereby reducing overall network usage while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If ToF measurement period begins at an unpredictable time without synchronization, then device operation simplicity is improved, but ToF measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the initiating device send its TSF time value in the ToF frame to the responding device, which then uses this timing information to calculate the ToF measurement. This feedback mechanism ensures that both devices operate with synchronized time references, maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing the measurement period to begin naturally without complex external synchronization procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of performing a Time of Flight (ToF) measurement. For example, a first wireless device may include a controller to perform a Time of Flight (ToF) measurement procedure with a second wireless device; and a radio to communicate with the second wireless device a ToF frame including a first time value of a Time Synchronization Function (TSF) of a sender of the frame to indicate a beginning time of a ToF measurement period, and a second time value of the TSF at transmission of the ToF frame.