Vehicle Mobile Device Localization Using Multi-Unit UWB Ranging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle security systems face challenges in ensuring accurate and cost-effective localization of mobile devices for authentication and security checks, which are often technically complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A communication and localization system using multiple communication units at different vehicle positions, such as UWB units, to determine precise location and distance of mobile devices through triangulation and signal propagation time, combined with arrangement information about unit positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple communication units are deployed at different positions on the vehicle to improve localization accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the localization function across multiple communication units positioned at different locations on the vehicle (e.g., front, rear, sides). Each unit independently measures signal propagation time to the mobile device, and the processing device combines these segmented measurements to achieve accurate three-dimensional localization, resolving the contradiction by distributing measurement tasks across multiple simple units rather than one complex unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processing device merges data from multiple communication units to perform centralized localization calculation. By combining the simple measurement capabilities of individual units with centralized processing that integrates arrangement information about unit positions, the system achieves high localization accuracy without requiring each individual unit to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple communication units are used to perform security checks through localization, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity check reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The communication units serve multiple functions: they enable both normal vehicle-to-mobile device communication and security-related localization measurements using the same hardware infrastructure. The UWB communication units perform dual roles of data exchange and distance measurement, eliminating the need for separate dedicated security measurement devices and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The existing communication units on the vehicle autonomously perform security checks by measuring signal propagation time to the mobile device. The system uses its own communication infrastructure to verify device location and prevent relay attacks, without requiring external security validation systems, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while improving security reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If arrangement information about communication unit positions is stored and used for localization, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to additional data storage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization accuracyVSAvoiddata storage overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores arrangement information about the positions of communication units on the vehicle during manufacturing or initial setup. This information is prepared in advance and stored in the processing device, eliminating the need for real-time discovery or complex calibration procedures, thereby improving localization accuracy while minimizing additional data storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for improved localization accuracy, reducing the risk of security breaches like relay station attacks, and ensuring precise activation of vehicle functions.

Implementation Method 1

The mobile device can have at least one radio interface, such as LF (low frequency) and/or UWB (ultra-wideband), to receive a signal, such as a wake-up signal and/or response signal, from the vehicle and/or vice versa

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The measurement information is specific, for example, to the signal propagation time of the communication or radio signal transmitted between the corresponding communication unit and the mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP3774456B1Assembly for a vehicle and process
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3774456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3774456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3774456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (10) for a vehicle (1) for locating a mobile device (100) relative to the vehicle (1), comprising: - at least two communication units (20), which are each provided for communication with the mobile device (100) and which are arranged at different positions on the vehicle (1) in order to each determine measurement information regarding the location of the mobile device (100) on the basis of the communication; and - a processing device (30), which is designed to locate the mobile device (100) using the measurement information and using arrangement information regarding the positions of the communication units (20) on the vehicle (1).