UWB Phase Determination Frames With Segmented Timing for Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional UWB positioning devices have limited coverage due to transmit power restrictions and signal attenuation, which affects the precision and range of phase information-based positioning.

Innovation Solution

A phase determining method and apparatus that generates frames with unequal time intervals between segments and segment groups to allow for antenna switching, reducing frequency offset errors and clock jitter, thereby improving measurement precision and coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If equal time intervals are used between segments and segment groups, then the frame structure is simple, but antenna switching cannot be properly performed and measurement precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephase information measurement precisionVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The training sequence is divided into multiple segments grouped into segment groups, with different time interval settings between segments versus between segment groups. This segmentation allows the first time interval to provide sufficient switching time for antenna operations while the second time interval maintains reasonable frame structure, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetric time interval design where the first time interval between adjacent segments differs from the second time interval between adjacent segment groups. This asymmetry enables optimized antenna switching timing within segments while maintaining efficient frame pacing between groups, improving measurement precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Area of stationary object

If transmit power is increased to improve coverage, then coverage capability is improved, but it exceeds the maximum transmit power limit of -41.3 dBm/MHz

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverage areaVSAvoidtransmit power
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic pulse transmission with carefully designed time intervals between segments and segment groups. This periodic structure allows the signal to achieve effective coverage through optimized timing and antenna switching rather than increased power, maintaining compliance with the -41.3 dBm/MHz limit while improving coverage area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of changing transmit power, the patent changes temporal parameters (first time interval and second time interval) to optimize signal transmission. By adjusting these time interval parameters, the system achieves improved coverage through better antenna switching and reduced impulse density rather than through power increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If time interval for antenna switching is insufficient, then the frame transmission efficiency is high, but frequency offset estimation error increases and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency offset estimation precisionVSAvoidframe transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the training sequence into multiple segments with a dedicated first time interval between them, the patent ensures sufficient time for antenna switching and frequency offset estimation. This segmentation maintains measurement precision while the overall frame structure with multiple segments still achieves acceptable transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4716143A1Phase determination method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4716143A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4716143A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4716143A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4

AI summary

A phase determining method and an apparatus are provided, which are applied to the field of communication technologies, for example, applied to a UWB-based WPAN system, for example, an 802.15.4a protocol, an 802.15.4z protocol, or an 802.15.4ab protocol in 802.15 series protocols, and also applied to a sensing system. The method includes: A transmit end generates a first frame, and then sends the first frame. In this way, a receive end may receive the first frame, and determine phase information based on the first frame. The first frame may include a first CTS, the first CTS includes at least two segment groups, a time interval between adjacent segments in each segment group is a first time interval, and a time interval between adjacent segment groups is a second time interval. Coverage of the first frame is effectively improved.