UWB Coverage Gap Compensation via Dynamic Rate Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-wideband (UWB) location techniques offer better accuracy but are limited by low power spectral density, requiring complex airtime resource management and often result in UWB coverage holes due to insufficient anchor device connections, leading to failed location calculations.
Innovation Solution
A system that collects UWB location measurements using multiple techniques, adjusts transmission rates, and integrates non-UWB location measurements to compensate for UWB coverage holes by increasing the rate of UWB transmissions and utilizing non-UWB transmissions when necessary, ensuring accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UWB location technique is used to improve location accuracy, then location accuracy is improved, but UWB coverage holes occur due to insufficient anchor device connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces non-UWB location measurements as an intermediary solution to bridge UWB coverage gaps. When a mobile device cannot establish sufficient UWB connections with anchor devices, the system falls back to non-UWB location techniques (such as Wi-Fi or cellular-based location) to provide continuous location service, thus mediating between the high-accuracy UWB requirement and the coverage reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the transmission rate parameter of UWB signals based on coverage conditions. When coverage holes are detected (insufficient anchor connections), the system increases the UWB transmission rate to improve the probability of establishing connections. This parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying coverage conditions while maintaining location accuracy where possible.
2Measurement precision
If UWB transmission rate is increased to improve location measurements, then location accuracy is improved, but airtime resource complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of UWB transmission rates based on real-time coverage conditions and device density. Rather than using a fixed high transmission rate, the system adapts the rate dynamically - increasing it when coverage holes are detected and decreasing it when coverage is sufficient. This dynamic approach maintains location measurement accuracy while reducing overall airtime resource complexity and control overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor UWB connection status and anchor device visibility. Based on this feedback, the location server adjusts transmission rates and selects appropriate location techniques. This closed-loop control reduces airtime resource complexity by making adjustments only when necessary rather than maintaining constantly high transmission rates across all devices.
3Reliability
If multiple UWB location techniques are used to compensate for coverage holes, then location reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location service into multiple independent techniques (UWB-based techniques and non-UWB techniques) that can be selectively applied. Rather than implementing a single complex multi-technique system, the location server divides the problem into separate technique modules, each handling specific scenarios. This segmentation allows for simpler individual technique implementations while achieving overall reliability through selective combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses non-UWB location measurements as a disposable fallback solution. When UWB coverage is insufficient, the system temporarily employs non-UWB techniques to provide location service, accepting that these measurements may be less accurate but sufficient for maintaining service continuity. This approach improves reliability without permanently increasing system complexity, as the alternative techniques are only activated when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes first collecting, from wireless devices at known locations in a venue, first ultra wideband (UWB) location measurements obtained using a first location technique based on first UWB transmissions made by a mobile device at a first rate. The method also includes second collecting, from the wireless devices, second UWB location measurements obtained using a second location technique based on second UWB transmissions made by the mobile device at a second rate. The method further includes detecting that the mobile device is in a first UWB coverage hole for the venue with respect to the first UWB location measurements based on a first UWB coverage hole criterion. The method also includes, based on detecting, increasing the second rate relative to the first rate to obtain additional second UWB location measurements using the second location technique to compensate for the first UWB coverage hole.