Wireless Ranging Control via Multicast Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in ranging operations, particularly in peer-aware communication networks, due to high energy consumption and latency issues, especially in dense environments and scenarios with numerous ranging requests, where traditional methods require extensive message exchanges and dedicated time slots.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of optimized ranging procedures, such as single-sided and double-sided two-way ranging techniques, which reduce message exchanges by leveraging broadcast characteristics and introducing new control and scheduling information elements to manage device roles and scheduling, allowing for multicast and contention-based ranging operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional ranging methods are used in peer-aware communication networks, then ranging operations can be performed, but energy consumption is high and latency increases in dense environments with numerous ranging requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging operation efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple ranging requests into a single multicast message exchange. Instead of performing separate ranging operations for each device pair, the system uses a coordinator device to manage multicast ranging groups where multiple devices can participate in synchronized ranging operations, significantly reducing the total number of message exchanges and energy consumption in dense networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary setup by establishing ranging groups and assigning device roles (coordinator, contoller, controlee) before actual ranging operations begin. This pre-organization allows devices to efficiently manage their ranging requests and avoid redundant message exchanges during operational phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If traditional ranging methods are used in peer-aware communication networks, then ranging operations can be performed, but latency increases in dense environments with numerous ranging requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging operation efficiencyVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple ranging operations are merged into coordinated multicast exchanges led by a coordinator device. The coordinator manages timing and synchronization for multiple device pairs simultaneously, reducing the cumulative latency that would result from sequential traditional ranging operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic ranging rounds with structured message exchanges. Devices follow standardized periodic patterns for requesting and providing ranging information, which optimizes timing and reduces random access conflicts and delays in dense network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If extensive message exchanges are performed for ranging operations, then ranging accuracy can be maintained, but energy consumption and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveranging accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and consolidates ranging information elements into optimized message structures. Essential ranging data (timestamps, distance calculations, device identifiers) are extracted and transmitted efficiently through standardized information elements, maintaining measurement precision while reducing message overhead and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ranging message structure is designed as a universal multi-functional format that can carry various types of ranging information (time of flight, round trip time, device roles, group identifiers) in a single standardized message framework, eliminating the need for multiple specialized message types and reducing overall communication overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3924752B1Framework and methods to control exchange of ranging result
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3924752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3924752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3924752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus of a first network entity in a wireless communication system supporting ranging capability is provided, the method and apparatus comprises: generating a medium access control (MAC) common part sublayer-data request (MCPS-DATA.request) primitive including a ranging enable indicator and a ranging request measurement and control IE (RRMC IE) with a reply-time request; transmitting, to a second network entity, a first MAC Data including the RRMC IE; receiving, from the second network entity, a second MAC Data including a ranging reply time instantaneous IE (RRTI IE), and the RRMC IE; and identifying a local value of a receive ranging counter (RxRangingCounter).