Transponder Location Tracking With Time-Synchronized Reply Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location systems face challenges in accurately locating objects using low-power transmissions, particularly due to signal interference and noise, which limits their effectiveness and battery life.
Innovation Solution
A system where a locator broadcasts a transmission sequence to transponders, which correlate the received information with an internal reference sequence and respond with a reply sequence at precise intervals, allowing multiple locators to synchronize and track location while minimizing power consumption through asymmetric transmission and integration techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If low-power transmissions are used in location systems, then battery life is extended, but signal accuracy deteriorates due to noise and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having transponders pre-store reference sequences and by establishing synchronized time intervals before actual location measurements. The locator broadcasts identification sequences that pre-condition the transponders to respond at predetermined times, ensuring accurate measurements are possible even with low-power transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where transponders receive identification sequences from locators, process this information, and return response sequences at synchronized intervals. This feedback loop allows the locator to accurately measure time differences and calculate positions despite the low-power nature of the transmissions.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple transponders transmit simultaneously, then location coverage is improved, but signal interference increases causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns predetermined time intervals to different transponder groups before actual transmission occurs. The locator broadcasts identification sequences that specify which transponders should respond at which time intervals, preventing simultaneous transmissions and eliminating interference while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the transmission process into distinct time intervals, assigning different groups of transponders to transmit during different periods. This temporal segmentation allows multiple transponders to be managed simultaneously without interference, as each group transmits sequentially rather than concurrently.
3Measurement precision
If high-power transmissions are used, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but energy consumption increases reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous synchronization between locators and transponders through ongoing exchange of identification and response sequences. This continuous action at low power levels allows the system to accumulate sufficient signal strength through multiple transmissions without requiring any single high-power burst, thus maintaining battery life while achieving adequate signal-to-noise ratios.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission sequence is broadcast from a locator to a group of transponder devices. Each transponder identified with the group is arranged to receive and capture at least a portion of the transmission, correlate the captured information with an internally stored reference sequence for the identified group, and identify a correlation when the captured information correlates with the internally stored reference sequence. Each transponder that finds a correlation is arranged to broadcast a transmission reply sequence at a precisely determined time interval so that the transponders in a group transmit at different times. A series of locators receive the transmission reply sequence(s), each at a precisely logged time of arrival, and the locators forward the received results to a central processing unit for time synchronization, location tracking, and inventory logging.