UWB Localization Device With Shielded Antennas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UWB localization devices face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining accurate localization in multiple dimensions due to physical limitations, such as the minimum distance between antennas required for reliable operation, which restricts their size and precision.
Innovation Solution
The UWB localization device incorporates a UWB shield and antenna devices with opposing sensitivity patterns to cause delays in signal arrival, allowing for reduced antenna separation and improved localization accuracy by distinguishing signal directions and strengths, enabling reliable two-dimensional localization with two antennas instead of three.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between antennas is reduced to miniaturize the localization device, then the device size is reduced, but the localization accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to insufficient signal differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
A UWB shield is introduced as an intermediary element between the antennas to manipulate signal propagation. The shield reflects and delays UWB signals in a controlled manner, creating measurable time differences in signal arrival at the antennas even when they are closely spaced, thereby enabling accurate localization without increasing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of signal propagation by introducing the UWB shield that modifies signal path length and arrival time. This creates artificial time delays that provide the necessary differentiation between signals from different directions, allowing accurate localization with reduced antenna separation distance.
2Device complexity
If two antennas are used instead of three for localization, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to determine location in three dimensions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the problem by using the UWB shield to create time-based signal differentiation. This temporal dimension allows two antennas to effectively distinguish signal directions that would normally require three spatially separated antennas, enabling 2D localization with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using three physically separated antennas for 3D localization with a system that uses two antennas plus a UWB shield that creates temporal differentiation. This substitution allows the system to achieve localization capability with fewer physical components by using electromagnetic signal manipulation.
3Volume of moving object
If the antenna separation distance is reduced, then the device can be miniaturized, but the reliability of signal reception and processing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB shield acts as a mediator that enhances signal differentiation between the closely spaced antennas. By reflecting and delaying signals in a controlled manner, the shield creates distinct arrival time patterns that improve signal processing reliability even when antennas are positioned close together, preventing signal ambiguity.
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 configuration reduces the size of the localization device while maintaining or improving accuracy and reliability, allowing for precise determination of a UWB transmitter's location, even in close proximity, and enhances security against spoofing attacks.
Implementation Method 1
the UWB shield is arranged between the first antenna device and the second antenna device and configured such as to cause a delay in the second time of arrival of UWB signals from the UWB transmitter received at the second antenna device
Data Source
AI summary
A UWB localization device comprising a UWB receiver with a first and second antenna device for receiving UWB signals from a UWB transmitter; a UWB shield arranged between the antenna devices; and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine, by processing properties of the UWB signals, a first and a second time of arrival of UWB signals from a UWB transmitter at the first and second antenna devices; and to determine a location of the UWB transmitter based on the first and second time of arrival. The UWB shield is configured to cause a delay in the second time of arrival of UWB signals from the UWB transmitter received at the second antenna device. The first and the second antenna devices are arranged with opposing antenna sensitivity patterns.