Wireless Range Error Calibration via Internal Circuit Delay Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately measuring range between devices with high resolution and minimizing power consumption, especially due to multi-path channel influences and internal circuit delays, which affect the accuracy of range measurements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus for range measurement using wireless devices, where a first wireless device acts as an initiator and a second as a responder, exchanging request and response range packets to estimate the range based on time differences and internal circuit delays, with an error calibration module to account for measurement inaccuracies. This includes configurations of wireless devices with specific components like MAC processors, baseband processors, DACs, ADCs, and RF circuits, and uses null data packets for high-definition accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If range measurement is performed using wireless signal transmission and reception, then distance estimation capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to multi-path channel influences and internal circuit delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing error calibration before actual range measurement. The system pre-measures and stores internal circuit delays and multi-path channel effects in a lookup table, so that when range measurement is needed, these pre-characterized errors can be quickly compensated without real-time complex calculations, thus improving measurement accuracy while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the measured error values from calibration processes to adjust and correct subsequent range measurements. The system continuously refines its measurements by comparing against stored error characteristics and applying compensations, creating a closed-loop system that improves accuracy over time
2Measurement precision
If high resolution range measurement is achieved through detailed signal processing, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces real-time power consumption by performing complex signal processing and error characterization in advance during calibration phases. The pre-computed lookup tables store results of detailed analyses, allowing the system to achieve high measurement precision during operation without continuously executing power-intensive processing algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmitted signals as reference for error calibration, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment. The wireless device calibrates its own internal circuit delays and channel characteristics using self-generated test signals, reducing the need for additional power-consuming external systems
3Measurement precision
If internal circuit delays are calibrated for accurate measurement, then range estimation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the error calibration functionality into a dedicated module that operates independently from the main range measurement process. By isolating the calibration functions (signal generation, error measurement, lookup table creation) from the primary measurement operations, the system manages complexity while maintaining high accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lookup table as an intermediary data structure that mediates between the complex calibration process and the simple measurement operation. The lookup table stores pre-computed error characteristics and provides quick reference during measurement, acting as a buffer that simplifies the operational complexity while preserving calibration accuracy
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 enables accurate range measurement with high resolution, rapid range estimation, and reduced power consumption, while minimizing errors caused by multi-path channels and internal circuit delays, effectively calibrating the internal circuit delays for precise range estimation between wireless devices.
Implementation Method 1
measuring, by the range error calibration module, the internal circuit delay of the initiator based on a signal transmitted and received through a loopback circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method for compensating for a measurement error which may occur when measuring a distance using a signal transception performed through a wireless device of a wireless communication system. An apparatus, of a first wireless device, for measuring distance in a wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a transceiver for transmitting a request range packet to a second wireless device and receiving, from the second wireless device, a response range packet corresponding to the request range packet; and a range estimator for estimating the distance between the first wireless device and the second wireless device on the basis of a first time difference from a time when the request range packet is transmitted to a time when the reception of the response range packet is sensed, a second time difference from a time when the reception of the request range packet by the second wireless device is sensed to a time when the response range packet is transmitted, and an internal circuit delay of the first wireless device.