Wireless Access Node Offset Calibration for Location Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for calibrating wireless access nodes in communication networks are complex and lack accuracy due to internal delays and environmental factors, which affect location determination processes for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining the offset of a wireless access node by using a processor to calculate the offset based on known and estimated locations of a device, obtained through a location determination process, thereby improving location accuracy without needing to calculate complex internal delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing calibration mechanisms are used to measure internal delays of wireless access node modules, then calibration process complexity increases, but location accuracy is not guaranteed and additional environmental offset factors remain unaccounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the offset determination from complex internal delay measurements of individual RF modules. Instead of measuring each module's internal delay separately through complex calibration procedures, the invention determines the overall offset of the wireless access node by comparing known device locations with estimated locations derived from ToA measurements. This extraction simplifies the calibration process while maintaining or improving location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a known location of a test device as a reference point. Rather than directly measuring complex internal delays and environmental factors, the invention uses the known location as an intermediary to indirectly determine the offset. The offset is calculated as the difference between the known location and the estimated location, providing a practical calibration method that accounts for all sources of error collectively.
2Measurement precision
If complex internal delay measurements are performed for each RF module, then calibration time increases, but accuracy is not guaranteed due to unaccounted environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate calibration considerations (internal delays of different RF modules, environmental factors, antenna effects) into a single unified offset determination. Instead of performing separate measurements for each RF module and then combining results, the invention determines a single overall offset that collectively accounts for all these factors by comparing known and estimated locations, significantly reducing calibration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by using its own location determination process to identify offsets. The wireless access node automatically determines offsets by comparing known device locations with locations estimated through its own ToA measurements, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and procedures, thereby reducing calibration time and improving accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If ToA measurements are used for location determination, then location estimation is possible, but offset introduced by wireless access node internal delays reduces accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using known device locations as reference information to determine offsets. The system measures ToA, estimates location, compares it with the known location, and uses this comparison feedback to determine the offset. This offset information is then fed back into the location determination process to correct future estimates, improving accuracy while maintaining the simplicity of ToA measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A capability for determining an offset of a wireless access node is presented. The determined offset of the wireless access node may be used by a location determination process associated with the wireless access node and configured to determine locations of mobile wireless devices that are communicating via the wireless access node. The offset of a wireless access node may be determined by determining a known location of a device when the device communicates via the wireless access node, determining an estimated location of the device when the device communicates via the wireless access node where the estimated location of the device is determined using the location determination process associated with the wireless access node, and determining the offset of the wireless access node based on the known location of the device and the estimated location of the device.