Wireless Positioning Accuracy via Probabilistic Signal Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless positioning systems face challenges in indoor environments with weak or no reference-based positioning system coverage, including dependence on pre-calibrated models, extra hardware, and inability to adapt to dynamic changes, leading to inaccurate positioning and lack of precision in accuracy measures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that predicts signal strength using a probabilistic approach, builds online propagation models and radio maps without pre-knowledge of the area, and ranks transceivers by significance, enabling accurate positioning and adaptability without additional hardware or offline training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal-strength-based positioning systems utilize pre-calibrated propagation models or radio maps, then positioning accuracy is improved, but additional time and effort for offline data collection and training is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having transmitters continuously broadcast power patterns and having the system pre-establish the probabilistic propagation model framework. When positioning is needed, the model is already prepared to process real-time signal strength measurements immediately, eliminating the need for separate offline data collection phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by using the existing wireless network infrastructure transmitters to automatically broadcast power patterns and signal strength information. The probabilistic propagation model automatically updates using real-time measurements from the network itself, eliminating the need for external data collection teams or separate calibration processes.
2Measurement precision
If extra hardware such as directional antennas or wireless sensors is incorporated to improve positioning accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing wireless network transmitters serve multiple functions: they provide network communication services and simultaneously provide positioning reference signals by broadcasting power patterns. The same infrastructure hardware is used for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate positioning-specific hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing wireless network infrastructure serves itself by having transmitters automatically broadcast power patterns that encode their location and signal characteristics. The system uses the network's own operational signals for positioning without requiring additional sensors or specialized hardware.
3Measurement precision
If pre-knowledge about the environment is used to predict signal strengths, then positioning accuracy is improved, but adaptability to new or changing environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic probabilistic propagation model that continuously updates its parameters based on real-time signal strength measurements from the wireless network. The model adapts to environmental changes automatically as the network operates, allowing it to function accurately in new or changing environments without requiring pre-collected data about those specific environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by continuously measuring actual signal strengths from wireless network transmitters and using these measurements to update the probabilistic propagation model. This feedback loop allows the model to learn and adapt to the actual environment in real-time, improving accuracy while maintaining adaptability to new environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing wireless positioning and an accuracy measure thereof, using a probabilistic approach alone or in combination with other models, is provided, for wireless-network-enabled areas. Further means of ranking “base-stations” in a wireless network area according to position discrimination significance and using this ranking to provide an accuracy measure of positioning is provided. Further means of determining the locations of “base-stations” of a wireless network in unknown area without the need for any absolute reference based positioning system is provided.