Wireless Location Accuracy via Segmented RSSI and AoA

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless computing systems face inaccuracies in determining the location of user computing devices due to errors in signal strength and angle of arrival measurements, leading to incorrect or incomplete services being provided.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a method that first calculates the location based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to define a boundary, then divides this area into sections for coarse and fine calculations using signal angle of arrival, selecting the most likely sections for further analysis to refine the location determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system uses received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to determine location, then the calculation is simple and fast, but the accuracy is low and produces outlier results due to noise and false signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation calculation speedVSAvoidlocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the location determination process into multiple stages: first using RSSI to define a boundary area, then dividing this area into sections for coarse calculation, and finally performing fine calculations only on selected sections. This segmentation allows the system to combine the speed of RSSI-based methods with the accuracy of more complex calculations, reducing outlier results while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the system performs detailed calculations on the entire area to improve accuracy, then location precision increases, but processing power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing power usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by first using RSSI to define a boundary and then dividing this boundary into sections for coarse calculations. Based on the results of these preliminary calculations, the system identifies and selects only the most likely sections for further fine calculations. This preliminary filtering action significantly reduces the area requiring detailed analysis, thereby reducing processing power consumption while maintaining high location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the entire service area into smaller sections and further segments these into candidate sections based on preliminary calculations. This hierarchical segmentation allows the system to apply detailed calculations only to relevant portions of the area rather than the entire area, optimizing the balance between accuracy and processing power usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the system uses multiple wireless access points to improve location accuracy, then the reliability of location determination increases, but the device complexity and calculation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manages the complexity of multiple access points by segmenting the problem into manageable parts: each access point contributes to defining a boundary area, then the combined area is divided into sections, and finally only candidate sections undergo fine calculations. This segmentation approach allows the system to effectively utilize data from multiple access points to improve reliability while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through structured processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3350613B1Determining location via wireless access points
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
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  • EP3350613B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3350613B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Determining a location of a user device comprises a wireless computing system supported by an access point. The wireless computing system receives a signal from the user device. The system estimates a location of the user device based on RSSI and calculates a boundary around the estimated location. The wireless computing system selects a plurality of sections inside of the boundary and performs a coarse calculation of a location of the user device based on an angle of arrival of the received signal. The system determines sections of the plurality of sections that have results from the coarse calculation that are more likely to be a location of the user device. The system performs a fine calculation of the location based on the angle of arrival of the received signal within each of the sections. The system identifies a particular section as the location of the user device.