Vehicle Positioning Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle communication systems face challenges in accurately determining a vehicle's position in environments with poor Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) connectivity, such as parking garages, where traditional positioning methods fail due to obstructed signals.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle communication system utilizing wireless sensors, including receivers and transmitters, processes data from BLUETOOTH and WI-FI signals to determine the vehicle's position by calculating signal strength and using advanced positioning techniques like lateration and fingerprinting, supplementing GNSS data for accurate indoor positioning and parking spot occupancy reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional GNSS positioning methods are used, then positioning is simple and direct, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in environments with obstructed satellite signals such as parking garages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication signals (BLUETOOTH, WI-FI) as intermediary mediators between the vehicle and the positioning system. Instead of directly receiving satellite signals, the system uses these intermediate wireless signals that can penetrate obstructed environments. The wireless sensors act as mediators that relay positioning information through environments where direct GNSS signals are blocked, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy without significantly increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the wireless communication system serve multiple functions: it is used for both vehicle-to-vehicle communication and for positioning determination. By using the same wireless infrastructure (BLUETOOTH, WI-FI sensors) for both communication and positioning purposes, the system achieves accurate positioning in obstructed environments without adding separate dedicated positioning hardware, thus avoiding significant increases in system complexity.
2Reliability
If wireless communication protocols are used for positioning, then positioning reliability improves in obstructed environments, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs wireless communication sensors (BLUETOOTH, WI-FI) that serve dual purposes: they enable both vehicle-to-vehicle communication and positioning determination. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve reliable positioning in obstructed environments using existing communication infrastructure, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes existing wireless communication infrastructure (BLUETOOTH, WI-FI networks) that is already present in the environment for positioning purposes. Rather than deploying dedicated positioning sensors throughout the environment, the system leverages the self-existing wireless communication network, allowing the environment's own infrastructure to serve the positioning function and reducing the complexity of deploying additional specialized hardware.
3Measurement precision
If multiple wireless sensors are deployed for accurate positioning, then measurement precision improves, but loss of energy increases due to continuous wireless communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective wireless sensor activation based on the vehicle's operational context. Instead of continuously activating all wireless sensors, the system activates only the necessary number and type of sensors required for the current positioning precision requirements. This partial action approach maintains positioning precision while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary wireless communication activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic positioning updates rather than continuous wireless communication. Wireless sensors are activated at intervals sufficient to maintain positioning precision, with the update frequency adjusted based on vehicle speed, operational mode, and environmental conditions. This periodic action reduces energy loss from continuous communication while maintaining adequate positioning precision through strategically timed measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular communication system includes a wireless communication sensor at a vehicle equipped with the vehicular communication system for receiving wireless communication data from remote wireless communication devices. A global positioning system is operable to determine a geographical location of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) includes electronic circuitry and associated software that includes a processor for processing wireless communication data received by the wireless communication sensor and position information determined by the global positioning system. The ECU, responsive at least in part to determination that position information determined by the global positioning system is compromised, determines, via processing the received wireless communication data, distances to a plurality of the remote wireless communication devices. The ECU, responsive to determining the distances to the plurality of the remote wireless communication devices, determines a position of the vehicle relative to the plurality of the remote wireless communication devices.