Wireless Radio Patterns for Low-Power Indoor Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing short-range wireless communication systems, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), face challenges in achieving accurate and energy-efficient positioning for target devices, particularly in large retail or warehouse environments, due to low-density anchor node infrastructure and power consumption constraints.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a highly-dense network of wireless communication device radios, like ESLs, with optimized transmit and receive patterns that utilize spatial and temporal interleaving, and cluster-based duty cycles to conserve power while enhancing positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a low-density anchor node infrastructure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor node densityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the anchor nodes into different types: mobile anchor nodes (with full positioning capabilities) and ambient anchor nodes (with limited positioning capabilities). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high positioning accuracy through coordinated operation of specialized nodes while reducing overall system complexity by not requiring all nodes to have full capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different anchor nodes based on their location and role. Mobile anchor nodes have full positioning capabilities when needed, while ambient anchor nodes provide basic positioning support. This localized differentiation optimizes the balance between positioning accuracy and device complexity in different parts of the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If continuous transmission is used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through duty cycle mechanisms where anchor nodes transmit positioning signals at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. Mobile anchor nodes can switch between transmit and receive modes periodically, and ambient anchor nodes transmit only when needed. This periodic operation maintains positioning accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by allowing anchor nodes to adapt their transmission behavior based on real-time conditions. The system can dynamically adjust which nodes transmit, when they transmit, and at what power levels, optimizing the balance between positioning accuracy and power consumption for each specific positioning task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If all anchor nodes transmit simultaneously, then positioning accuracy is improved, but interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments transmission opportunities by assigning different roles to mobile and ambient anchor nodes. Mobile anchor nodes perform full bidirectional communication for high-accuracy positioning, while ambient anchor nodes provide supplemental positioning data. This segmentation prevents simultaneous transmission conflicts and reduces interference while maintaining positioning accuracy through coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the mobile anchor nodes as intermediaries that coordinate communication between the target device and ambient anchor nodes. The mobile anchor nodes manage transmission timing and select which ambient anchor nodes should transmit, preventing simultaneous transmissions and reducing interference while ensuring accurate positioning data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260067846A1Wireless communication device transmit and receive patterns for energy-efficient positioning

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Systems and techniques are described herein for wireless communications. For example, a network entity can determine a group of wireless communication device radios of a plurality of wireless communication device radios for positioning a target device. The network entity can determine, based on criteria, a communications pattern for the group of wireless communication device radios. The network entity can transmit, to the group of wireless communication device radios, an indication of the communications pattern to use for communications with the target device for positioning the target device.