Wireless Asset Positioning via Scheduled Ranging Events
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless positioning technologies face challenges such as high installation costs due to wired anchors, limited accuracy with signal-strength ranging, inability to track mobile assets with battery-powered anchors, impracticality of wired anchors in mobile environments, low anchor density leading to 'blind spots', and message collisions in high tag densities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for scheduling ranging events over a wireless network, using a scheduling entity to coordinate tags and anchors, reducing message collisions, and enabling battery-powered, low-power operation with time-synchronized communication to support dense networks and mobile asset tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired anchors are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy and reliability are improved, but installation cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication. Anchors and tags communicate positioning data wirelessly through signal transmission and reception, eliminating the need for physical wiring infrastructure while maintaining positioning functionality. This substitution reduces installation complexity and device complexity while preserving positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates anchors that can function both as positioning reference points and as wireless communication nodes. The anchors perform multiple functions including signal transmission, signal reception, and positioning calculation, eliminating the need for separate wired infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
2Device complexity
If signal-strength ranging is used for positioning, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ranging methods including signal-strength ranging, time-of-flight ranging, and collaborative positioning algorithms. By merging these approaches, the system achieves higher measurement precision while keeping individual device complexity manageable through coordinated operation among anchors and tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where anchors and tags exchange positioning data and adjust their measurements iteratively. The system uses feedback from multiple signal strength measurements and time-of-flight calculations to refine position estimates, improving measurement precision through continuous optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If battery-powered anchors are used, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but duration of action decreases due to limited battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic positioning updates rather than continuous operation. Anchors and tags perform ranging operations at scheduled intervals, allowing battery-powered anchors to enter low-power states between updates. This periodic action extends battery life while maintaining positioning functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates dynamic power management where anchors adjust their operational mode based on requirements. Anchors can switch between active transmission, listening modes, and sleep states, optimizing battery usage while maintaining adaptability for different deployment scenarios including mobile and stationary applications.
4Quantity of substance
If high tag density is supported, then quantity of substance increases, but message collisions increase reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning network into multiple anchor zones or clusters. Tags are assigned to specific anchor groups for ranging operations, dividing the high-density tag population into manageable segments. This segmentation reduces message collisions within each segment while supporting a large overall number of tags across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary scheduling and coordination before ranging operations. The system pre-assigns time slots, frequency channels, or anchor pairs for tagging operations based on predicted tag locations and movement patterns. This preliminary action prevents message collisions by organizing communication resources before tags begin transmitting positioning data.
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 reduces message collisions, allows for denser wireless networks, prolongs battery life, and enables accurate positioning of moving tags with improved accuracy and reduced installation costs by eliminating the need for wired anchors.
Implementation Method 1
Ranging is the process of determining or estimating the distance between two objects or devices
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for positioning assets over a wireless network are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises scheduling, at a scheduling entity communicatively coupled to the wireless network, a ranging time to execute a plurality of ranging events between a participating tag associated with a designated asset and selected from a plurality of tags, and each participating anchor of a plurality of participating anchors selected from the plurality of anchors; sending, from the scheduling entity, to the participating tag and to each participating anchor, a corresponding ranging message comprising the ranging time for each ranging event and a list identifying said participating tag and said each of the participating anchors; executing at the ranging time, each ranging event of the plurality of ranging events to produce a corresponding ranging information; and calculating, at a positioning engine a position of said participating tag and said designated asset.