Vehicle Wheel Localization Using UWB Time-of-Flight Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating vehicle wheels, such as those using angular correlation, require complex architectures and synchronization of radio frequency messages, making them inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing ultra-wideband radio frequency transceivers for quick wheel location, where the central processing unit sends and receives dated messages to measure propagation time, allowing distance calculation between transceivers, and uses accelerometers or pre-established distances to identify wheel positions without relying on active safety systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If angular correlation methods are used to locate wheels, then wheel location can be determined, but the system requires complex architecture and synchronization of radio frequency messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wheel location determination from the complex angular correlation system involving active safety sensors. Instead of using angle sensors and speed sensors with sophisticated synchronization, the invention uses a simple time-of-flight measurement of radio frequency messages exchanged between a central transceiver and wheel-mounted transceivers. This extracts only the essential function of location determination while eliminating the complex angular measurement infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/angular measurement system (angle sensors, speed sensors, complex synchronization) with an electromagnetic field-based time-of-flight measurement system. By measuring the propagation time of radio frequency messages, the system determines distance and location without mechanical angular correlation, significantly simplifying the architecture while maintaining location accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If angular correlation with active safety systems is used, then wheel location is determined, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary communication and timing functions from the active safety system. Instead of utilizing the full angular correlation infrastructure with its continuous sensor operations and complex message synchronization, the patent uses simple dated message exchanges between transceivers. This extraction dramatically reduces resource consumption while preserving the wheel location determination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel-mounted transceivers autonomously determine their own location by measuring the time-of-flight of messages exchanged with the central transceiver. Each transceiver independently calculates its distance from the center based on message timestamps, eliminating the need for continuous resource-intensive angular correlation computations and centralized processing of multiple sensor inputs.
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 method provides a simple and resource-efficient way to locate vehicle wheels, eliminating the need for angle measurements from active safety systems and enabling accurate wheel identification with minimal technical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing the propagation time of the outgoing message and the return message in order to measure the distance between the main transceiver and the secondary transceiver to be located
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating wheels of a motor vehicle. The vehicle including at least one central processing unit which includes a main ultra-wideband radio frequency transceiver and a plurality of wheel units, each including a secondary ultra-wideband radio frequency transceiver adapted for communicating with the main transceiver. The method includes at least one step of measuring the distance between the main transceiver and the secondary transceiver to be located, by analyzing the propagation time of an exchanged message, and a step of locating the wheel unit associated with the secondary transceiver to be located, on the basis of the distance measured in the measurement step.