Trigger Node Indoor Positioning Network Traffic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor positioning systems face limitations in accuracy and performance due to a small number of anchor nodes and limited traffic between mobile devices and anchor nodes, leading to insufficient capture of RSSI data, which can result in reduced positioning accuracy and increased network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that uses a trigger node to wirelessly transmit a trigger signal to a mobile device, causing it to emit a response signal, which is then measured by listening nodes, allowing for more controlled and efficient collection of RSSI data without flooding the network, and enabling regular and even data collection over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If more RSSI measurements are collected to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning accuracy is improved, but network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic trigger signals sent from anchor nodes to mobile devices at regular intervals, causing the mobile device to emit response signals at predictable periods. This periodic action ensures sufficient RSSI measurements are collected over time without requiring continuous communication, thus improving positioning accuracy while controlling network traffic volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having anchor nodes send trigger signals before actual positioning measurements are needed. The mobile device is pre-configured to respond to these triggers, ensuring that measurement data is available when needed without requiring continuous active communication channels, thereby reducing overall network traffic while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If anchor nodes continuously transmit signals to capture RSSI data, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Anchor nodes transmit trigger signals periodically rather than continuously, and mobile devices emit response signals only in response to these periodic triggers. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous transmission while still capturing sufficient RSSI measurements for accurate positioning by utilizing the transmitted signals effectively when they do occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device automatically responds to trigger signals from anchor nodes without requiring continuous power-intensive active listening or transmission. The device enters low-power states between triggers and only activates its transmitter when prompted, allowing it to perform positioning measurements energy-efficiently while still providing the necessary RSSI data for accurate location determination.
3Measurement precision
If a large number of anchor nodes are deployed to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables existing wireless devices to serve multiple functions: they act as both mobile devices seeking positioning and as anchor nodes providing positioning services to other devices. This multi-functionality allows the network to achieve high positioning accuracy using existing infrastructure without adding dedicated positioning hardware, thereby improving measurement precision while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the roles of mobile devices and anchor nodes, allowing devices to participate in positioning as both clients and servers. By merging these functions into a unified system where any device can become an anchor node when needed, the network achieves high positioning accuracy without requiring separate dedicated positioning infrastructure, thus avoiding increased overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
As at least part of a location network, there is provided a trigger node and multiple listening nodes. The trigger node wirelessly transmits a trigger signal to the mobile device, the trigger signal being configured to cause the mobile device to wirelessly emit a signal in response to receiving the trigger signal. The listening nodes listen for the response signal that was transmitted from the mobile device in response to the trigger signal, and thereby at each respective one of a plurality of the listening nodes that wirelessly receive the response signal from the mobile device, a respective measurement is taken of the response signal as received at the respective listening node, for use in performing a localization to determine the location of the mobile device based on one or more of these measurements.