UWB Ranging Termination Forwarding for Missed Frame Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In UWB ranging systems, the lack of an ACK mechanism leads to failed data packet transmissions when receivers fail to receive critical information, causing subsequent ranging failures without retransmission, impacting positioning accuracy and reliability.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method where UWB apparatuses forward or retransmit ranging termination information frames in subsequent slots if not initially received, ensuring all apparatuses successfully receive this information, thereby improving ranging reliability without increasing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If no ACK mechanism is implemented in UWB ranging, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ranging reliability deteriorates when data packets are not received

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidranging reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an ACK mechanism where the responder sends an acknowledgment frame to confirm successful reception of the initiator's data packet. This feedback loop enables the initiator to detect transmission failures and trigger retransmission, thereby improving ranging reliability without significantly increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a forwarder node that acts as an intermediary to relay data packets and acknowledgment frames between the initiator and responder. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable delivery even when direct communication fails, improving ranging reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through distributed forwarding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data packet retransmission is implemented when reception fails, then the ranging reliability is improved, but the ranging time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging reliabilityVSAvoidranging time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a timeout mechanism that triggers retransmission after a predetermined time interval if an acknowledgment is not received. This preliminary action approach allows the system to proceed with timing assumptions while providing automatic retransmission capability, balancing reliability improvement with time efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a limited number of retransmission attempts rather than continuous retransmission. This partial action approach ensures that retransmission improves reliability while preventing excessive time consumption through a predefined maximum retry count

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If multiple UWB apparatuses forward ranging termination information frames, then the reception reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the task of forwarding ranging termination information frames among multiple UWB apparatuses in a distributed manner. Each apparatus independently forwards frames based on local conditions, segmenting the overall forwarding function across multiple nodes. This segmentation improves reception reliability through redundancy while managing system complexity by avoiding centralized control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a mechanism where each UWB apparatus autonomously decides whether to forward ranging termination information frames based on its own reception status and timing. This self-service approach improves reliability through distributed redundancy while minimizing system complexity by eliminating the need for complex coordination protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4715425A1UWB ranging method, apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 CALTERAH SEMICON TECH (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP4715425A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4715425A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4715425A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A UWB ranging method, apparatus and system. The UWB ranging method comprises: a UWB apparatus receiving a ranging termination information frame in a ranging report time slot, which is used for receiving the ranging termination information frame, within one ranging round ( 401); when it is determined that the ranging termination information frame has been received, the UWB apparatus forwarding the ranging termination information frame subsequent to the ranging report time slot (402); and when it is determined that the ranging termination information frame has not been received, the UWB apparatus receiving the ranging termination information frame subsequent to the ranging report time slot (403).