UWB Location Tracking with Dynamic Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating people in unclear environments, such as buildings or disaster areas, face inaccuracies and disruptions due to limited line of sight and interference from walls and floors, especially when using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) connections and triangulation with external mobile radio masts or vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Deploying reference stations on each operational level within the building, with sensors on the person to detect movement and altitude, allowing for precise location tracking via a UWB data connection and switching to radio mode when necessary, ensuring uninterrupted and accurate data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UWB connection is used for location tracking, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates in environments with limited line of sight such as buildings or tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between UWB connection mode and radio mode based on connection quality. When UWB connection is available, it provides high-speed data transmission; when blocked by walls or floors, the system transitions to radio mode to maintain reliable communication, thus adapting to changing environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes transmission parameters by switching between different communication modes (UWB vs. radio). This parameter change allows the system to optimize for either speed (UWB) or reliability (radio) depending on the physical environment and line-of-sight conditions
2Ease of operation
If triangulation with external mobile radio masts is used, then location can be determined, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from walls and floors
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the location determination process into two parts: first establishing a reference point by depositing a satellite station at a known location, then using step sensors to measure displacement from that reference. This segmentation avoids the need for external triangulation and eliminates interference from building structures
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite station acts as an intermediary reference point between the external reference station and the operational person. By establishing this intermediate reference at the building entrance or access point, the system creates a local coordinate system that is not affected by external radio interference from walls and floors
3Device complexity
If reference stations are arranged outside the building in mobile vehicles, then equipment complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to penetration of multiple walls and floors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the operational person deposit a satellite station at the building entrance or access point before entering the building. This establishes a known reference point within the building structure, eliminating the need for external reference stations and avoiding radio signal penetration through multiple walls and floors
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 provides a secure, accurate, and uninterrupted location tracking system by maintaining a horizontal data connection within the building, avoiding oblique radio links and using body-worn sensors to determine step length and direction, enabling precise monitoring of emergency personnel even in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
the distance between two UWB transmitting and receiving devices from one another by means of a time of flight measurement is detected
Implementation Method 2
at least one step sensor for determining the step length, a sensor for determining the step direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Device for locating persons (1, 1') within a monitored area (14) with several transmitting and receiving devices (4, 19, 20, 30), of which at least one device (4) is attached to the person (1, 1') to be located, and at least one device is provided outside the monitored area (14) in the form of an operational computer (19), and a further device is designed as a satellite station (30), wherein the devices (4, 19, 20, 30) communicate with each other via data radio links (12, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 32, 36, 43), wherein the data radio link (12, 32) between the devices (4, 20, 30) is an initial UWB data link (12, 32), and that if the UWB data link (12) between the mobile transmitting and receiving unit is interrupted (4) the mobile transmitting and receiving unit (4) is suitable for the operational person (1, 1') and the satellite station (30),as an alternative to the UWB data connection (12) in radio mode (13) to transmit and/or receive to the transmitter and receiver (20) designed as a reference station, and that the operational person (1, 1') wears at least one further sensor (5, 6, 8, 9) on their body which records at least the movement profile and/or the condition of the operational person (1, 1') and transmits at least to the mobile transmitter and receiver unit (4) on the operational person (1, 1'), which then transmits this data further.