UWB Transit-Gate Trilateration Without DL-TDoA Infrastructure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing UWB-based transit deployments for locating UWB-enabled mobile devices are costly and consume excessive power due to the need for DL-TDoA infrastructure, which is expensive and inefficient for managing multiple distance measurement sessions.

Innovation Solution

A method that schedules UWB communication between transit gates in overlapping slots with different time offsets, allowing UWB-enabled mobile devices to select appropriate groups for transactions without user involvement, thereby eliminating the need for DL-TDoA infrastructure and optimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If DL-TDoA infrastructure is used for UWB-based localization in transit deployments, then localization accuracy is improved, but deployment cost and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoiddeployment cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the DL-TDoA infrastructure from the system, replacing it with a simplified approach using only transit gates and mobile devices. This eliminates the need for expensive additional anchors while maintaining localization capability through alternative methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transit gates are given multiple functions: they serve both as transit control points and as localization anchors. This eliminates the need for separate DL-TDoA infrastructure, as the same gates perform both transportation management and positioning functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If DL-TDoA infrastructure is deployed for accurate localization, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the power-consuming DL-TDoA infrastructure and replaces it with a more energy-efficient approach using existing transit gates. The mobile device performs localization by communicating with gates rather than maintaining continuous connections to multiple anchors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic communication sessions between mobile devices and transit gates for localization, rather than continuous monitoring. This reduces power consumption while maintaining accurate positioning through scheduled ranging events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If multiple ranging sessions are supported simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and scheduling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple distance measurement sessionsVSAvoidscheduler complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ranging sessions into different time slots and groups of gates. By dividing the simultaneous sessions into organized segments with specific time offsets, the system manages multiple measurements without requiring complex scheduling logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts communication timing and gate groupings based on current transaction needs. This allows flexible support for multiple ranging sessions while adapting to changing conditions without rigid scheduling constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces deployment costs and power consumption while enabling scalable and efficient localization of UWB-enabled mobile devices in transit environments, supporting multiple transactions without additional infrastructure.

Implementation Method 1

distance measurements are performed during UWB communication sessions referred to as ranging sessions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4624977A1Method of locating a UWB-enabled mobile device in a UWB based transit deployment
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 NXP BV
  • EP4624977A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4624977A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4624977A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of locating a UWB enabled mobile device (10) in a UWB based transit deployment (100) is disclosed. The method implements a trilateration procedure between three known anchor positions of transit gates and implements position determination based on determination of distance values. In effect, by means of the anchors a maximal amount of mobile devices can be recognized. Thus, a scalable transit scenario is implemented without needing additional anchor infrastructure. A discovery process is implemented, in which user are recognized in order to pay via fare transaction. The whole process of discovery, gate selection und fare transaction is thus possible without DL-TDoA infrastructure. In this way, advantageously, DL-TDoA infrastructure can be saved to a maximum extent. A following fare transaction can be carried out as defined by a transit provider.