Zero-Power Backscatter Resource Allocation for Precise Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Zero-power devices, which are maintenance-free and battery-free, can interfere with each other during backscatter communication, affecting positioning accuracy in large-scale deployments.

Innovation Solution

Each zero-power device determines a time, frequency, spatial, or code domain resource for backscattering based on its identity or group information to avoid interference, improving reception and measurement performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple zero-power devices transmit backscatter signals on the same resource, then deployment density and scale are improved, but interference between devices increases and positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment density of zero-power devicesVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time-frequency-space-code resource pool into multiple orthogonal resources. Each zero-power device is assigned to specific resources based on its identity or group information, dividing the originally shared resource into separate, non-interfering segments. This allows multiple devices to transmit simultaneously without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between deployment density and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces multi-dimensional resource differentiation by utilizing time domain, frequency domain, spatial domain, and code domain dimensions. Devices are distinguished and separated across these multiple dimensions, transforming the single-resource conflict into multi-dimensional resource allocation. This enables high-density deployment while maintaining signal distinguishability and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If zero-power devices use identical backscatter resources, then device complexity is reduced, but signal reception performance deteriorates due to interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of zero-power deviceVSAvoidreception performance of backscatter signal
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having each zero-power device automatically determine its assigned resources based on its own identity information or group identity information. The device independently selects its time-frequency-space-code resources without complex external coordination, maintaining low device complexity while ensuring orthogonal resource allocation and good reception performance through the resource determination mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If zero-power devices are deployed at high density, then positioning coverage is improved, but resource interference increases and measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning coverage areaVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy of backscatter signal
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the resource allocation parameters by introducing identity-based and group-identity-based resource determination. Instead of uniform resource usage, devices use their unique identifiers to select different time-frequency-space-code parameters, transforming the resource allocation pattern from homogeneous to heterogeneous. This enables high-density deployment across large areas while maintaining measurement accuracy through parameter differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4629666A1Positioning methods and devices
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4629666A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4629666A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4629666A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are positioning methods and devices. In a positioning scenario in which zero-power-consumption devices participate, each zero-power-consumption device can determine time domain/frequency domain/space domain/code domain resources for backscatter thereof, thereby effectively avoiding interferences caused by a plurality of zero-power-consumption devices performing backscatter on same resources, which can improve the reception and measurement effects of backscatter signal receiving ends and improve the positioning precision. A positioning method comprises: a zero-power-consumption device receiving a carrier signal, the carrier signal being used for modulating and generating a backscatter signal used for positioning; and the zero-power-consumption device transmitting the backscatter signal on at least one resource, the at least one resource being determined on the basis of at least one of the following: a target resource pool, identification information of the zero-power-consumption device, identification information of a group to which the zero-power-consumption device belongs, and a first signaling received by the zero-power-consumption device.