Wireless Position Location Using Timing Offset and Phase Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS-based position location techniques fail in indoor environments due to the lack of satellite signal availability, while FLO networks provide indoor coverage, necessitating alternative methods for determining position locations using wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
The use of timing offset information and transmitter phase adjustments in wireless networks to facilitate accurate position location determinations, either by communicating timing offsets to receivers or adjusting signal transmission timing at transmitters to account for timing differences, thereby mitigating the need for further timing adjustments at receivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based position location techniques are used, then position location can be determined outdoors with line of sight to satellites, but the technique fails in indoor environments where satellite signal is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces FLO network transmitters as an intermediary system to provide positioning capability indoors. Instead of relying directly on satellite signals, the system uses terrestrial FLO transmitters that broadcast timing information, enabling position location determination through triangulation methods using FLO signals as the intermediary medium between the user and the positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with a terrestrial wireless network system. By substituting GPS satellite signals with FLO network transmitters, the system achieves indoor coverage while maintaining the core triangulation-based positioning mechanism, effectively replacing one signal source with another that has different propagation characteristics suitable for indoor environments.
2Reliability
If transmitters use timing offsets to advance or delay transmissions, then signal reception quality is improved throughout the network, but position location algorithms require additional timing offset information to maintain accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having transmitters pre-adjust their signal transmission timing using timing offsets before signals are broadcast. This advance timing adjustment optimizes signal arrival characteristics at receivers, and the corresponding timing offset information is embedded in the transmitted signals, allowing receivers to compensate for these adjustments without adding algorithmic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by transmitting timing offset information along with the FLO signals. Receivers obtain the timing offset values embedded in the signals and use this feedback information to correct their position location calculations, maintaining accuracy despite the timing adjustments made by transmitters for optimization.
3Area of stationary object
If transmitters are deployed to provide wide coverage in a given geographical area, then indoor coverage is achieved, but the network cost increases due to the number of transmitters needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing FLO transmitters to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide both multimedia content delivery and positioning reference signals. The same transmitter infrastructure used for broadcasting content also enables position location determination, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning transmitters and reducing overall network cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The FLO transmitter system provides self-service by generating and broadcasting signals that contain embedded timing offset information, enabling receivers to autonomously perform position location calculations without requiring additional infrastructure or external assistance. The system serves its own positioning needs through its content delivery function.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for determining position location information in a wireless network. In one embodiment, timing offset information is communicated between multiple transmitters and one or more receivers. Such information enables accurate position or location determinations to be made that account for timing differences throughout the network. In another embodiment, transmitter phase adjustments are made that advance or delay transmissions from the transmitters to account for potential timing differences at receivers. In yet another embodiment, combinations of timing offset communications and/or transmitter phase adjustments can be employed in the wireless network to facilitate position location determinations.