Wireless Terminal Location Estimation Using Peer Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location estimation techniques for wireless terminals in telecommunications are not sufficiently accurate and do not effectively utilize the relative position information between wireless terminals at unknown locations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating candidate location estimates for wireless terminals based on measurements from both known base stations and other wireless terminals, evaluating these estimates for consistency with empirical data, and selecting the most consistent combination to improve location accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location estimation techniques are used, then the location can be estimated using known anchor locations and empirical data, but the accuracy is insufficient and does not effectively utilize relative position information between wireless terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional anchor-based location estimation with peer terminal relative position information into a unified hypothesis evaluation framework. Multiple candidate location estimates are generated and then evaluated together against consistency constraints from both anchor measurements and peer terminal measurements, combining the strengths of both approaches to achieve higher accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where peer terminal position measurements are used to validate and refine location estimates. The system generates candidate estimates, evaluates them against consistency constraints from peer terminals, and uses this feedback to select the most accurate location, continuously improving the estimation accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If independent location estimates are generated for each wireless terminal, then the estimation process is simple, but the estimates do not account for relative position constraints between multiple terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location estimation problem into generating multiple candidate hypotheses for each terminal independently, then evaluating these hypotheses together as a system. This segmentation allows simple independent estimation while achieving consistent results through joint evaluation against mutual constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to location estimation by introducing hypothesis space as a fourth dimension alongside the traditional three spatial dimensions. Multiple candidate locations are generated and then evaluated in this additional hypothesis dimension against consistency constraints, transforming the problem from simple point estimation to multi-dimensional hypothesis validation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.