Out-of-Band UWB Clock Synchronization for IoT Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT devices face limitations in scalability and range during localization operations, particularly when new devices are integrated into a space, due to the heavy reliance on existing devices' processing and memory resources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that delegate out-of-band (OOB) management of a shared ultra-wideband (UWB) clock, enabling network devices with OOB and UWB communication capabilities to exchange synchronization parameters simultaneously, thereby offloading synchronization operations from UWB channels to OOB channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new IoT devices are integrated into a space and rely on existing devices for localization operations, then the devices can perform localization functions, but scalability and range capabilities are heavily limited by the existing devices' processing and memory resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shared ultra-wideband (UWB) clock as an intermediary resource that multiple IoT devices can access simultaneously. Instead of each device requiring full processing and memory resources for localization, they share a common UWB clock infrastructure, enabling scalable integration without proportionally increasing individual device complexity or overall system resource requirements.
2Reliability
If synchronization operations are performed using UWB channels, then clock synchronization can be achieved, but data transmission consumes excessive bandwidth and processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clock synchronization function from the main UWB data communication channel. By dedicating specific UWB resources solely to clock synchronization and separating it from general data transmission, the system achieves reliable synchronization while minimizing the data transmission volume that would otherwise consume excessive bandwidth and processing resources.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple IoT devices perform localization operations simultaneously, then localization coverage is improved, but processing and memory resources of existing devices become a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The shared UWB clock serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides clock synchronization for localization operations, enables range measurements, and supports multiple devices concurrently. This multi-functional infrastructure allows improved localization coverage across multiple devices without each device needing to independently maintain full processing and memory resources for all functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method to delegate out-of-band (OOB) management of a shared ultra-wideband (UWB) clock. The system may comprise a tagged device with a UWB tag and multiple anchors. The tagged device may be configured to establish at least one OOB communication link with at least one anchor, transmit UWB compatibility information to multiple anchors, establish a UWB communication links with the anchors, and exchange OOB synchronization parameters and UWB synchronization parameters with the anchors. Further, the tagged device may be configured to define new instructions for ranging round operations based at least in part upon the OOB synchronization parameters and the UWB synchronization parameters, update existing instructions with the new instructions in the ranging round operations, and perform the ranging round in accordance with the updated instructions.