Multi-band WLAN Transceiver Scanning for Mobile Location Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of WAN base stations, WLAN access points, and personal area network transceivers increases, existing technologies face challenges in optimizing hardware usage, search time, and network bandwidth while improving the accuracy of location determination in mobile devices, particularly when dealing with multiple frequencies and transceivers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple WLAN transceivers in mobile devices to conduct scans across various frequency bands, prioritizing signal measurements based on frequency, distance, strength, and multipath conditions to determine location information, which can be sent to a location server or processed locally for accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple WLAN transceivers are used to scan multiple frequency bands, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency scanning task across multiple WLAN transceivers, with each transceiver assigned to scan specific frequency bands. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-band scanning, improving location determination accuracy while managing device complexity through structured task distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each WLAN transceiver capable of operating across multiple frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz) by configuring them to scan different bands sequentially or simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated transceivers for each band, managing hardware complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Loss of time
If multiple frequency bands are scanned simultaneously, then search time is reduced, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency bands and assigns different bands to different transceivers for simultaneous scanning. This parallel processing approach reduces total search time while distributing energy consumption across multiple transceivers, preventing any single transceiver from excessive energy drain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic scanning cycles where transceivers alternately scan different frequency bands in a coordinated manner. This periodic action allows the system to reduce overall search time through structured parallel scanning while managing energy consumption by allowing transceivers to enter low-power states between scanning cycles
3Measurement precision
If signal measurements are prioritized based on multiple factors, then location determination accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different prioritization criteria to different frequency bands based on their characteristics. For example, 60 GHz signals may be prioritized when available due to their directional nature, while 2.4 GHz signals are used as fallback. This localized quality approach improves accuracy by selecting appropriate measurements while simplifying processing by having predetermined prioritization rules for each band
4Productivity
If multiple transceivers are used to scan multiple frequency bands, then productivity of location determination is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs WLAN transceivers to be multi-functional, capable of operating across multiple frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 60 GHz). This allows the system to achieve high productivity through parallel multi-band scanning while minimizing the number of transceivers needed, as each transceiver can be configured to scan different bands at different times
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a mobile device to determine signal measurements on a plurality of frequencies and to provide signal measurements for position calculation on a location server or on the mobile device. Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses on a mobile device to concurrently scan for signals across two or more frequencies while optimizing sending and/or utilizing signal measurements made at higher frequency bands or signal measurements of signals sent from devices at a shorter range.