Wireless Switch Beacon Wake for Mobile Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network technologies face difficulties in determining the physical location of a mobile device in sleep mode due to the reliance on multiple access devices receiving frames simultaneously, which is challenging without complex synchronization schemes, especially since mobile devices in power save mode do not transmit frames regularly.
Innovation Solution
A wireless switch initiates a beacon frame from a first access device to wake the mobile device and configures additional access devices to communicate on the same channel, allowing the mobile device to transmit a frame, which is received by multiple access devices, enabling location determination based on signal strength and device positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mobile devices enter power save mode to conserve battery power, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to locate the device is worsened because the device does not transmit frames regularly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having access devices wake the mobile device from power save mode before location determination can occur. The wireless switch sends a beacon frame to the mobile device to wake it up, ensuring the device is in an active state ready to transmit frames for location triangulation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless switch acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and access devices. It coordinates the location determination process by sending beacon frames to wake the mobile device and managing the communication channels so that multiple access devices can receive frames simultaneously for accurate location determination.
2Measurement precision
If multiple access devices are configured to receive frames simultaneously for triangulation, then location determination accuracy is improved, but system complexity is worsened due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless switch performs preliminary configuration by setting up the communication channels and beacon frame transmission before the actual frame reception. This pre-coordination eliminates the need for complex real-time synchronization between multiple access devices, as the system prepares everything in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the wireless switch monitors and coordinates the beacon frame transmission to ensure proper timing and channel configuration. This feedback loop simplifies the overall system by allowing the switch to manage synchronization automatically based on real-time conditions.
3Reliability
If access devices use non-overlapping channels to avoid interference, then signal quality is improved, but the ability to receive frames simultaneously is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts channel configurations based on the location determination requirements. When needed, the wireless switch configures access devices to use the same channel temporarily for frame reception, then returns to normal non-overlapping channel operation. This dynamic adaptation allows simultaneous reception when required without permanently sacrificing signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication process is segmented into different phases: normal data transmission uses non-overlapping channels for reliability, while location determination uses a coordinated phase where multiple access devices temporarily share channels under the wireless switch's management. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different objectives at different times.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for locating a mobile device in a sleep mode. A method comprises transmitting a beacon signal configured to initiate transmission of a response signal from a mobile device in a sleep mode. The mobile device is associated with a first wireless access device on a first communication channel. The method further comprises receiving the response signal from the mobile device on the first communication channel and determining the physical location of the mobile device based on the response signal.