Autonomous Wi-Fi AP Location via Neighbor Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi location determination methods in high-traffic areas are inaccurate and incomplete due to the lack of autonomous location determination for Wi-Fi access points (APs), relying on manual measurement or crowd-sourcing, which fails to account for non-stationary APs and lacks a protocol for precise location estimation.
Innovation Solution
A protocol scheme enabling Wi-Fi APs to autonomously determine their location using optional Time-Of-Flight (ToF) or Fine-Time-Measurement (FTM) based range measurements, involving neighbor discovery, location querying, range measurement, and estimation to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement or crowd-sourcing is used to populate AP location database, then location information can be obtained, but the accuracy and completeness of STA location determination deteriorates due to non-stationary APs and lack of autonomous determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements autonomous location determination where APs automatically determine their own locations using protocols similar to Wi-Fi ranging protocols. Each AP independently measures ranges to neighboring APs and calculates its position without requiring manual measurement or reliance on crowd-sourced data, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and automation extent
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary location determination for APs using autonomous protocols before STA location determination is needed. By pre-establishing accurate AP location information through self-service mechanisms, the system ensures high measurement precision is available when required without sacrificing automation
2Device complexity
If conventional methods are used for AP location determination, then the process is simple, but the reliability of STA location determination deteriorates because APs are unaware and uninvolved in their own location determination
Solution Approach 1:
APs actively participate in their own location determination by autonomously measuring ranges to neighboring APs and calculating their positions using protocols they execute themselves. This self-service approach increases reliability by ensuring APs are aware and involved in the process, while maintaining reasonable complexity through standardized protocol implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where APs exchange location information and range measurements with neighboring APs. Each AP uses received feedback from neighbors to refine its location calculation, creating a reliable distributed determination system that balances complexity and reliability through iterative improvement
3Adaptability or versatility
If APs are non-stationary or moved to different locations, then network flexibility is improved, but the accuracy of location determination deteriorates because existing methods cannot track dynamic AP positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic location determination where APs continuously or periodically update their positions using autonomous protocols. This dynamic approach allows the system to track moving APs in real-time, maintaining measurement precision even as APs change locations, thereby resolving the contradiction between network flexibility and location accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic location determination updates at scheduled intervals or upon detecting AP movement. This periodic refresh of location information ensures that even non-stationary APs maintain accurate position data in the database, preserving measurement precision while allowing network flexibility
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 allows for accurate and autonomous AP location determination, enhancing the precision of station location identification within Wi-Fi networks by enabling APs to self-estimate their positions relative to neighboring APs, even in dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
A protocol scheme enabling Wi-Fi APs to autonomously determine their location using optional Time-Of-Flight (ToF) or Fine-Time-Measurement (FTM) based range measurements
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally relates to a method, system and apparatus for autonomous Wi-Fi location determination by using information from neighboring access points (APs) along with an optional range measurements. In one embodiment, a root AP determines its location as a function of neighboring AP's location and the distance measured between the root AP and each of the corresponding neighbors. The location information can be stored internally or reported to external resource.