Wireless Tag Positioning Using Master-Slave Base Station Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning methods face errors due to clock signal inaccuracies in master and non-master base stations, which affect the accurate determination of a wireless tag's location.
Innovation Solution
The method employs Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) positioning, where a master base station with an accurate clock acts as a reference, and non-master base stations determine time differences of signal arrival from a wireless tag, using specific time lengths and flight times to calculate the TDOA.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple base stations with accurate clocks are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the base station network into a master base station (providing timing reference) and slave base stations (receiving timing reference). This segmentation allows positioning functionality to be distributed while maintaining accuracy, as slave stations can determine TDOA relative to the master station without requiring independent accurate clocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The master base station acts as an intermediary timing reference for all slave base stations. Instead of requiring each base station to have independent accurate clocks, the master station mediates the timing synchronization, enabling TDOA calculations across the network with reduced complexity.
2Measurement precision
If clock synchronization is implemented across all base stations, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing reference function from all base stations and concentrates it in a single master base station. Slave base stations remove their independent accurate clocks and instead receive timing references from the master, simplifying the overall synchronization system while maintaining positioning accuracy through TDOA relative to the master station.
3Measurement precision
If the number of base stations is increased to improve positioning accuracy, then location precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master base station serves a universal timing reference function for all slave base stations in the network. This multi-functional role allows the master station to support an arbitrary number of slave stations without proportionally increasing synchronization complexity, enabling the network to scale while maintaining positioning accuracy through consistent TDOA reference.
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 positioning of wireless tags in a system where only the master base station needs an accurate clock, reducing positioning errors and allowing for a larger number of non-master base stations to enhance location accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
determining a time difference of arrival of a signal from the wireless tag between the first and second non-master base stations as the first length of time multiplied by a ratio of the fifth length of time and the second length of time, to which is added a time of flight at light speed from the master base station to the first non-master base station
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising obtaining a first length of time, a second length of time, a third length of time, a fourth length of time and a fifth length of time, and determining a time difference of arrival of a signal from a wireless tag between the first and second non-master base stations based on the determined lengths of time.