Voting-Based Proximity Detection with Power-Efficient BLE-UWB Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity detection and distance calculation technologies, such as Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband, face challenges in accuracy and power consumption, making them inadequate for precise social distancing and contact tracing in populated environments.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a Bluetooth radio module for proximity detection and an Ultra Wideband radio module for distance calculation, combined with a processor to identify neighboring tags, initiate packet transmission, receive responses, determine distances, and generate alarms or notifications when tags approach a predefined distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Bluetooth technology is used for proximity detection, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology for proximity detection with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise distance measurement. The BLE module handles initial tag identification and proximity detection to reduce power consumption, while the UWB module provides accurate ranging when tags are within the predefined distance threshold, thus resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If UWB technology is used for distance calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic proximity detection using BLE at lower power, and only activates UWB for precise distance measurement when the BLE detection indicates tags are within the predefined range. This periodic or conditional activation of UWB reduces overall power consumption while maintaining high measurement precision when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If many-to-many communication is implemented among multiple tags, then contact tracing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary to manage the many-to-many communication between tags. The server receives proximity detection data from multiple tags, performs contact tracing analysis, and generates notifications. This centralization simplifies the communication protocol requirements for individual tags while enabling comprehensive contact tracing capabilities across the entire network.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for proximity detection and ranging with neighboring devices is described here. The method includes identifying, by a processor of a first tag, a second tag from a group of tags within a predefined range of the first tag. The method further comprises initiating, by the processor, transmission of a packet to the second tag in the group of tags identified within the predefined range. The method further comprises, in response to the transmission of the packet, receiving, by the processor, a response packet from the second tag. The method includes in response to receiving the response packet, determining a tag distance between the first tag and second tag. The method includes determining that the tag distance associated with the second tag is less than a predefined distance, generating, by the processor, an alarm or notification to the first tag indicating that the predefined distance is crossed.