Self-Localization Using Timestamped UWB Signals for Low-Latency Robotics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current UWB localization systems for mobile robots suffer from high communication latency, signal interference, and limited scalability, making them unsuitable for safety-critical applications and environments without direct line of sight to GPS satellites.

Innovation Solution

A self-localizing apparatus that receives timestampable UWB signals to determine its own location without emitting signals, using a distributed localization system with timestampable RF signals and UWB technology to achieve precise localization in 3D space, even in environments with obstacles or multipath interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a centralized UWB localization system with tags emitting signals is used, then the system can track asset locations, but communication latency increases and system robustness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having mobile tags emit signals that are detected by stationary sensors and processed centrally, the patent inverts the architecture: stationary transmitters emit signals and the mobile receiver determines its own location. This eliminates the need for wireless communication from mobile devices and removes centralized processing delays, enabling direct local computation of position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the localization computation function from the centralized server and places it directly in the mobile receiver device. By taking out the position determination capability from the central system and embedding it in the mobile unit, the system eliminates communication loops and enables real-time local positioning without latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple UWB tags emit signals simultaneously in a centralized system, then more tags can be tracked, but signal interference increases and redundancy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of trackable tagsVSAvoidsignal interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the signal emission role: instead of multiple mobile tags emitting signals that interfere with each other, a single stationary transmitter emits signals that are received by mobile receivers. This eliminates inter-tag signal interference while maintaining the ability to track multiple mobile devices simultaneously without redundancy limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If current UWB localization architecture is used, then basic tracking is achieved, but system robustness and safety for critical applications are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking update rateVSAvoidsystem robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the communication direction to eliminate wireless transmission from mobile devices, placing the receiver in the mobile unit and the transmitter in the stationary infrastructure. This ensures continuous signal availability regardless of mobile device state, dramatically improving system robustness for safety-critical applications while maintaining high update rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile receiver device performs self-localization by independently determining its position from received signals without requiring communication back to a central server. This self-service capability ensures continuous operation even when wireless communication fails, enhancing system reliability and robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables high-accuracy, low-latency localization with increased redundancy and robustness, allowing mobile robots to operate safely and efficiently in complex environments with improved update rates and scalability.

Implementation Method 1

A self-localizing apparatus that receives timestampable UWB signals to determine its own location without emitting signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20250377664A1Distributed localization systems and methods and self-localizing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 VERITY AG

AI summary

A self-localizing apparatus uses timestampable signals transmitted by transceivers that are a part of a distributed localization system to compute its position relative to the transceivers. Transceivers and self-localizing apparatuses are arranged for highly accurate timestamping using digital and analog reception and transmission electronics as well as one or more highly accurate clocks, compensation units, localization units, position calibration units, scheduling units, or synchronization units. Transceivers and self-localizing apparatuses are further arranged to allow full scalability in the number of self-localizing apparatuses and to allow robust self-localization with latencies and update rates useful for high performance applications such as autonomous mobile robot control.