UWB Location Mapping Using Integrated Circuit Chips and Self-Calibrating Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-wideband (UWB) devices operating in the 3.1 to 10 GHz range have been costly due to their composition of discrete components, limiting their widespread adoption for creating location maps in wireless systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of integrated circuit (IC) chips for UWB transceivers has reduced costs, enabling the creation of location maps by positioning stationary antennas in a target environment, determining their relative positions, and using a mobile device to obtain location measurements, which are then used to generate and display a location map.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete components are used to build UWB devices, then the devices can operate legally in the UWB frequency range, but the price point becomes relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple discrete UWB components into a single integrated circuit chip. This merging of components maintains the legal operation capability in the UWB frequency range while significantly reducing the price point and enabling broader market adoption.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit chip provides universal UWB transceiver functionality that can be applied across multiple devices and applications. This multi-functionality allows the same integrated solution to serve various purposes including location mapping, positioning, and wireless communication.
2Ease of manufacture
If UWB integrated circuit chips are used, then the price point is reduced and manufacturing quantities increase, but the system requires precise timestamp determination and distance calculation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device and stationary antennas perform self-calibration by automatically determining their relative positions through timestamp comparisons and distance calculations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual calibration while ensuring precise measurements despite the use of cost-effective integrated circuit chips.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from timestamp comparisons and distance measurements to continuously refine and improve location map accuracy. The mobile device obtains location measurements from multiple stationary antennas, and the system processes this feedback information to generate and update the location map with high precision.
3Loss of information
If stationary antennas are positioned in a target environment and location measurements are obtained, then a location map can be generated, but the process requires determining relative positions of antennas and processing multiple measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the relative positions of stationary antennas and processes location measurements without requiring manual intervention. The mobile device and antennas perform self-calibration and the system automatically generates the location map, reducing the perceived complexity for the user while maintaining high information accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary antennas serve multiple functions: they transmit UWB signals, determine their own relative positions, measure the mobile device's location, and contribute to generating the complete location map. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate calibration devices and simplifies the overall system setup.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the creation of accurate location maps with straight line segments representing the path traveled by a mobile device, enabling the identification of physical features and objects within the environment, and facilitating manual editing and metadata storage.
Implementation Method 1
a distance between devices can be calculated based on the difference in time and the speed of the signal through the air
Implementation Method 2
Inherent in UWB technology is the ability to create narrow pulse widths. These pulse widths can be used to establish an arrival time of a radio frequency (RF) signal with very high granularity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for creating a location map using antennas in an ultra-wide band (UWB) network including positioning a plurality of stationary antennas in a target environment; determining a position of each of the plurality of stationary antennas relative to one another; obtaining location measurements relative to a mobile device as it moves around the target environment; generating a location map using the location measurements, the location map illustrating a path traveled by the mobile device relative to the plurality of stationary antennas; and displaying the location map including straight line segments corresponding to the path traveled by the mobile device.