U.S. patent application number 14/464458 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-25 for rtt processing based on a characteristic of access points.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Saumitra Mohan Das, Weihua Gao, Vinay Sridhara, Sai Pradeep VENKATRAMAN.
Application Number | 20160057577 14/464458 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53776988 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160057577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VENKATRAMAN; Sai Pradeep ;
et al. |
February 25, 2016 |
RTT PROCESSING BASED ON A CHARACTERISTIC OF ACCESS POINTS
Abstract
Systems, apparatus and methods for estimating a location of a
mobile device are presented. Before computing a location estimate,
the mobile device groups a plurality of access points into two or
more categories (for example, a first list of access points having
a first characteristic and a second list of access points having a
second characteristic). Round-trip time (RTT) measurements are
computed for access points in the first list. A Short Interframe
Space (SIFS) value may be determined for each access point in the
first list or generally SIFT representing the first list as a
whole. The RTT measurements are compensated with the appropriate
SIFS value. The mobile device then computes its location or
position fix estimate using the compensated RTT values while
excluding less accurate RTT values from other access points. As a
result, the location estimate eliminates adverse influent from some
access points.
Inventors: |
VENKATRAMAN; Sai Pradeep;
(Santa Clara, CA) ; Sridhara; Vinay; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Das; Saumitra Mohan; (Santa Clara, CA) ;
Gao; Weihua; (San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53776988 |
Appl. No.: |
14/464458 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 5/14 20130101; G01S
13/765 20130101; H04L 47/283 20130101; H04L 43/0864 20130101; H04W
4/025 20130101; H04L 43/0888 20130101; H04L 61/6022 20130101; G01S
5/021 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02; H04L 29/12 20060101 H04L029/12; H04L 12/26 20060101
H04L012/26 |
Claims
1. A method in a mobile device for estimating a location of the
mobile device, the method comprising: receiving signals from a
plurality of access points; forming a first list of access points
from only some of the plurality of access points based on a
characteristic; measuring round-trip times (RTTs) for access points
in the first list; estimating a first turnaround calibration
function (TCF) representing the first list of access points; and
computing a position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for
access points in the first list and the first TCF.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, if the first list of
access points is insufficient for the position fix: forming a
second list of access points from the plurality of access points
based on the characteristic, wherein the first list of access
points and the second list of access points are only some of the
plurality of access points; measuring RTTs for access points in the
second list; and estimating a second TCF representing the second
list of access points; wherein computing the position fix of the
mobile device based on the RTTs for access points in the first list
and the first TCF comprises computing the position fix of the
mobile device based on the RTTs for access points in the first
list, RTTs for access points in the second list, the first TCF and
the second TCF.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
different frequency bands.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
different IEEE 802.11 standards.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
different chip sets.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
different manufacturers.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
Short Interframe Space (SIFS) estimates.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
qualities.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
media access control addresses (MAC addresses).
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic comprises
access point identifiers.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein computing the position fix of
the mobile device based on the RTTs for access points includes
computing the position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs
for access points in the first list and the first TCF while
excluding some access points.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein measuring RTTs for access points
in the first list comprises excluding outliers.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the outliers are outside of a
range of an IEEE 802.11 standard.
14. A mobile device for estimating a location of the mobile device,
the mobile device comprising: a transceiver configured to receive
signals from a plurality of access points; a processor coupled to
the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory
having stored thereon code configured to be executed by the
processor, the code instructing the processor to: form a first list
of access points from only some of the plurality of access points
based on a characteristic; measure round-trip times (RTTs) for
access points in the first list; estimate a first turnaround
calibration function (TCF) representing the first list of access
points; and compute a position fix of the mobile device based on
the RTTs for access points in the first list and the first TCF.
15. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the first list of access
points is insufficient for the position fix and the code further
instructing the processor to: form a second list of access points
from the plurality of access points based on the characteristic,
wherein the first list of access points and the second list of
access points are only some of the plurality of access points;
measure RTTs for access points in the second list; and estimate a
second TCF representing the second list of access points; wherein
the code instructing the processor to compute the position fix of
the mobile device based on the RTTs for access points in the first
list and the first TCF comprises code instructing the processor to
compute the position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for
access points in the first list, RTTs for access points in the
second list, the first TCF and the second TCF.
16. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the characteristic
comprises at least one of: different frequency bands; different
IEEE 802.11 standards; different chip sets; different
manufacturers; counts of access points; Short Interframe Space
(SIFS) estimates; and media access control addresses (MAC
addresses)
17. A mobile device for estimating a location of the mobile device,
the mobile device comprising: means for receiving signals from a
plurality of access points; means for forming a first list of
access points from only some of the plurality of access points
based on a characteristic; means for measuring round-trip times
(RTTs) for access points in the first list; means for estimating a
first turnaround calibration function (TCF) representing the first
list of access points; and means for computing a position fix of
the mobile device based on the RTTs for access points in the first
list and the first TCF.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first list of access points
is insufficient for the position fix and further comprising: means
for forming a second list of access points from the plurality of
access points based on the characteristic, wherein the first list
of access points and the second list of access points are only some
of the plurality of access points; means for measuring RTTs for
access points in the second list; and means for estimating a second
TCF representing the second list of access points; wherein the
means for computing the position fix of the mobile device based on
the RTTs for access points in the first list and the first TCF
comprises means for computing the position fix of the mobile device
based on the RTTs for access points in the first list, RTTs for
access points in the second list, the first TCF and the second
TCF.
19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the characteristic
comprises at least one of: different frequency bands; different
IEEE 802.11 standards; different chip sets; different
manufacturers; counts of access points; Short Interframe Space
(SIPS) estimates; and media access control addresses (MAC
addresses)
20. A non-transient computer-readable storage medium including
program code stored thereon, comprising program code for: receiving
signals from a plurality of access points; forming a first list of
access points from only some of the plurality of access points
based on a characteristic; measuring round-trip times (RTTs) for
access points in the first list; estimating a first turnaround
calibration function (TCF) representing the first list of access
points; and computing a position fix of the mobile device based on
the RTTs for access points in the first list and the first TCF.
21. The non-transient computer-readable storage medium of claim 20,
wherein the first list of access points is insufficient for the
position fix and further comprising program code for: forming a
second list of access points from the plurality of access points
based on the characteristic, wherein the first list of access
points and the second list of access points are only some of the
plurality of access points; measuring RTTs for access points in the
second list; and estimating a second TCF representing the second
list of access points; wherein the code for computing the position
fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for access points in the
first list and the first TCF comprises code to compute the position
fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for access points in the
first list, RTTs for access points in the second list, the first
TCF and the second TCF.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is the first application filed for the present
technology.
BACKGROUND
[0002] I. Field of the Invention
[0003] This disclosure relates generally to systems, apparatus and
methods for estimating a location of a mobile device, and more
particularly to capturing and using only some RTT measurements
while excluding other RTT measurements when computing a location
estimate of the mobile device based on a feature of access
points.
[0004] II. Background
[0005] In current high-precision indoor positioning, also known as
precise indoor positioning (PIP), a mobile device measures
round-trip time (RTT) between the mobile device and various assess
points, estimates a turnaround calibration function (TCF) for each
RTT measurement, computes a difference between each RTT measurement
and the corresponding TCF, and then computes a position estimate of
the mobile device based on the differences. A TCF for each access
point introduces an uncertain value. A TCF includes the delays both
within an access point (primarily due to short interframe space
(SIFS)) and within the mobile device. For example, IEEE 802.11
systems may set a TCF based on the physical (PHY) layer and the
operating frequency band of each access point.
[0006] It can be useful is a way to reduce a number of unknowns by
grouping access points and generalizing a TCF value for a group
before computing a location estimate based on a more accurate group
while excluding less accurate groups of access points.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] Disclosed are systems, apparatus and methods for estimating
a location of a mobile device. Before computing a location
estimate, the mobile device groups a plurality of access points
into two or more categories (for example, a first list or set of
access points belonging to a first category and a second list or
set of access points belonging to a second category). Round-trip
time (RTT) measurements are computed for assess points in the first
list. A SIFS value may be determined for each access point in the
first list or generally for the first list as a whole.
Alternatively, a single TFC value may be set for access points in
the first list. A TFC value may be computed from a SIFS value by
adding expected delays in the mobile device. The RTT measurements
are compensated with the appropriate SIFS or TCF value. The mobile
device then computes its location estimate using the compensated
RTT values while excluding access points in the second list with
less accurate RTT values. As a result, the location estimate
eliminates adverse influent from access points in the second
list.
[0008] According to some aspects, disclosed is a method in a mobile
device for estimating a location of the mobile device, the method
comprising: receiving signals from a plurality of access points;
forming a first list of access points from only some of the
plurality of access points based on a characteristic; measuring
round-trip times (RTTs) for access points in the first list;
estimating a first turnaround calibration function (TCF)
representing the first list of access points; and computing a
position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for access
points in the first list and the first TCF.
[0009] According to some aspects, disclosed is a mobile device for
estimating a location of the mobile device, the mobile device
comprising: a transceiver configured to receive signals from a
plurality of access points; a processor coupled to the transceiver;
and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored
thereon code configured to be executed by the processor, the code
instructing the processor to: form a first list of access points
from only some of the plurality of access points based on a
characteristic; measure round-trip times (RTTs) for access points
in the first list; estimate a first turnaround calibration function
(TCF) representing the first list of access points; and compute a
position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for access
points in the first list and the first TCF.
[0010] According to some aspects, disclosed is a mobile device for
estimating a location of the mobile device, the mobile device
comprising: means for receiving signals from a plurality of access
points; means for forming a first list of access points from only
some of the plurality of access points based on a characteristic;
means for measuring round-trip times (RTTs) for access points in
the first list; means for estimating a first turnaround calibration
function (TCF) representing the first list of access points; and
means for computing a position fix of the mobile device based on
the RTTs for access points in the first list and the first TCF.
[0011] According to some aspects, disclosed is a non-transient
computer-readable storage medium including program code stored
thereon, comprising program code for: receiving signals from a
plurality of access points; forming a first list of access points
from only some of the plurality of access points based on a
characteristic; measuring round-trip times (RTTs) for access points
in the first list; estimating a first turnaround calibration
function (TCF) representing the first list of access points; and
computing a position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for
access points in the first list and the first TCF.
[0012] It is understood that other aspects will become readily
apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed
description, wherein it is shown and described various aspects by
way of illustration. The drawings and detailed description are to
be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 maps various access points with different
characteristics and a mobile device.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an IEEE 802.11 standard assigning SIFS
values to different types of access points, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a relationship among various data structures,
in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a structure for using RTT measurements from
only some access points while excluding RTT measurements from other
access points to calculate a location estimate of a mobile device,
in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate methods, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a mobile device, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
aspects of the present disclosure and is not intended to represent
the only aspects in which the present disclosure may be practiced.
Each aspect described in this disclosure is provided merely as an
example or illustration of the present disclosure, and should not
necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
aspects. The detailed description includes specific details for the
purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present
disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these
specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and
devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring
the concepts of the present disclosure. Acronyms and other
descriptive terminology may be used merely for convenience and
clarity and are not intended to limit the scope of the
disclosure.
[0021] Position determination techniques described herein may be
implemented in conjunction with various wireless communication
networks such as a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless
local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN),
and so on. The term "network" and "system" are often used
interchangeably. A WWAN may be a Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, an Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a
Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA)
network, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and so on. A CDMA network may
implement one or more radio access technologies (RATs) such as
cdma2000, Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), and so on. Cdma2000 includes
IS-95, IS-2000, and IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Digital Advanced
Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS), or some other RAT. GSM and W-CDMA are
described in documents from a consortium named "3rd Generation
Partnership Project" (3GPP). Cdma2000 is described in documents
from a consortium named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2"
(3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. A WLAN
may be an IEEE 802.11x network, and a WPAN may be a Bluetooth
network, an IEEE 802.15x, or some other type of network. The
techniques may also be implemented in conjunction with any
combination of WWAN, WLAN and/or WPAN.
[0022] A satellite positioning system (SPS) typically includes a
system of transmitters positioned to enable entities to determine
their location on or above the Earth based, at least in part, on
signals received from the transmitters. Such a transmitter
typically transmits a signal marked with a repeating pseudo-random
noise (PN) code of a set number of chips and may be located on
ground based control stations, user equipment and/or space
vehicles. In a particular example, such transmitters may be located
on Earth orbiting satellite vehicles (SVs). For example, a SV in a
constellation of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) such as
Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo, GLONASS or Compass may
transmit a signal marked with a PN code that is distinguishable
from PN codes transmitted by other SVs in the constellation (for
example, using different PN codes for each satellite as in GPS or
using the same code on different frequencies as in GLONASS). In
accordance with certain aspects, the techniques presented herein
are not restricted to global systems (such as, GNSS) for SPS. For
example, the techniques provided herein may be applied to or
otherwise enabled for use in various regional systems, such as,
Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) over Japan, Indian Regional
Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) over India, Beidou over
China, etc., and/or various augmentation systems (for example, an
Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS)) that may be associated
with or are otherwise enabled for use with one or more global
and/or regional navigation satellite systems. By way of example but
not limitation, an SBAS may include an augmentation system(s) that
provides integrity information, differential corrections, etc.,
such as, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), European
Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Multi-functional
Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), GPS Aided Geo Augmented
Navigation or GPS and Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN),
and/or the like. Thus, as used herein an SPS may include any
combination of one or more global and/or regional navigation
satellite systems and/or augmentation systems, and SPS signals may
include SPS, SPS-like, and/or other signals associated with such
one or more SPS.
[0023] As used herein, a mobile device, sometimes referred to as a
mobile station (MS) or user equipment (UE), such as a cellular
phone, mobile phone or other wireless communication device,
personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation
device (PND), Personal Information Manager (PIM), Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA), laptop or other suitable mobile device which is
capable of receiving wireless communication and/or navigation
signals. The term "mobile device" is also intended to include
devices which communicate with a personal navigation device (PND),
such as by short-range wireless, infrared, wireline connection, or
other connection--regardless of whether satellite signal reception,
assistance data reception, and/or position-related processing
occurs at the device or at the PND. Also, "mobile device" is
intended to include all devices, including wireless communication
devices, computers, laptops, etc. which are capable of
communication with a server, such as via the Internet, WiFi, or
other network, and regardless of whether satellite signal
reception, assistance data reception, and/or position-related
processing occurs at the device, at a server, or at another device
associated with the network. Any operable combination of the above
are also considered a "mobile device."
[0024] To compute a location estimate, a mobile device may use
trilateration of power measurements. If a more accurate location
estimate is desired, a mobile device may use round-trip time (RTT)
measurements between the mobile device and various access points.
An RTT measurement includes a round-trip travel time for signals
sent between an access point and the mobile device. Unfortunately,
each RTT measurement also includes a delay in the access point
referred to as a turnaround calibration function (TCF). The TCF is
dominated by a short interframe space (SIFS), which may be used as
a fair estimate of the total TCF. The SIFS value may be: (1) known
a prioir (for example, from a prior measurement); (2) assumed to
follow an IEEE 802.11 standard (for example, as described below
with reference to FIG. 2); (3) generalized for each group of access
points; or (4) an unknown value.
[0025] To avoid estimating a separate TCF for each access point, a
mobile device may group access points into a list based on a
particular characteristic and then estimate a general TCF for that
group of access points. For example, the mobile device may use the
particular characteristic to group access points by a frequency
band and/or a bandwidth of operation used in the access points. The
mobile device may use the particular characteristic to group access
points by a common value as defined in an IEEE 802.11 standard. The
mobile device may use the particular characteristic to group access
points by a chip set used in the access point. The mobile device
may use the particular characteristic to group access points by
manufacturers. The mobile device may use the particular
characteristic to group access points by Short Interframe Space
(SIPS) estimates. The mobile device may use the particular
characteristic to group access points by a quality, for example, an
uncertainty. The mobile device may use the particular
characteristic to group access points by access point identifiers.
The mobile device may use the particular characteristic to group
access points by media access control addresses (MAC addresses).
Generally, a mobile device uses a characteristic to group access
points having a better characteristic value than an access point
having a poorer characteristic value.
[0026] Outlier detection of the RTT measurements may be performed
on the group to remove erroneous access points RTT measurements.
Grouping of access points reduces a number of unknowns and ensures
faster and more efficient TCF estimation. After a general TCF is
estimated or determined for a group of access points, each RTT
measurement in the group may be adjusted by the general TCF,
thereby resulting in a compensated RTT value. The mobile device can
then use the compensated RTT values to several assess points in the
group to estimate its location.
[0027] FIG. 1 maps various access points 100 with different
characteristics and a mobile device 200. In this example, the
access points 100 may be categorized into two groups: a "type 1"
group and a "type 2" group. Alternatively, access points 100 may be
divided into three or more types (e.g., a type-1 group, a type-2
group and a type-3 group). In this example, the access points 100
with a type-1 category include access points AP 100-11, AP 100-12
and AP 100-13 and logically group together in a first group. The
access points 100 with a type-2 category are AP 100-21, AP 100-22
and AP 100-23 and grouped to a separate second group.
[0028] Traditionally, all of the access points 100 are used when
determining a location estimate of the mobile device 200. A
particular type of access point 100, however, may introduce an
excessive amount of uncertainty. A location estimate excluding
these access points 100 results in less uncertainty than a location
estimate including all access points 100. Grouping access points
into two categories having less uncertainty and more uncertainty,
and then excluding the group of access points with more uncertainty
results in a location estimate with less uncertainty. That is, a
position estimate from the first group of access points (AP 100-11,
AP 100-12 and AP 100-13) has less uncertainty than from all of the
access points (AP 100-11, AP 100-12, AP 100-13, AP 100-21, AP
100-22 and AP 100-23).
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an IEEE 802.11 standard assigning SIFS
values to different types of access points, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention. Theoretically, an access
point adhering to the IEEE 802.11-1997 standard for frequency
hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) systems has a SIFS (within 10%) of
28 .mu.s. An access point adhering to the IEEE 802.11-1997 standard
for direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) systems has a SIFS
(within 10%) of 10 .mu.s. An access point adhering to the IEEE
802.11b standard or IEEE 802.11g standard has a SIFS (within 10%)
of 10 .mu.s. An access point adhering to the IEEE 802.11n in the
2.4 GHz frequency band has a SIFS (within 10%) of 10 .mu.s and in
the 5 GHz frequency band has a SIFS (within 10%) of 16 .mu.s. An
access point adhering to the IEEE 802.11a standard or IEEE 802.11ac
standard has a SIFS (within 10%) of 16 .mu.s. Each of the standards
is defined for the 2.4 GHz frequency band except for the IEEE
802.11a and IEEE 802.11ac standards, which are defined for the 5
GHz frequency band. The IEEE 802.11n standard is defined for both
frequency bands.
[0030] Estimating a TCF for each access point separately is
expensive in terms of power and bandwidth required to obtain a good
standard deviation as well as longer CPU power consumption required
to execute a TCF estimation algorithm. A mobile device may use a
grouping of access points to more efficiently estimate a TCF. If
access points follow the IEEE 802.11 standard, an acceptable RTT
value may be compensated by the SIFS found in the IEEE 802.11
standard. Alternatively, approximate SIFS values may be valid for a
certain category of access points. If precise SIFS values are known
or SIFS values for a certain category of access points fall within
a known range, the SIFS may be removed from the RTT measurements to
result in compensated RTT values. These known SIFS values or
categorized SIFS values may be communicated to a mobile device 200
within assistance data.
[0031] In practice though, a particular access point may not follow
the SIFS restrictions set within the standard. In these cases, a
location estimate using RTT measurements from these access points
will increase uncertainty. When calculating a location estimate, a
mobile device 100 should exclude this access point in its estimate
if a more accurate estimate of the SIFS is not otherwise known.
[0032] FIG. 3 shows a relationship 300 among various data
structures, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention. Structure 310 shows a listing of all received access
points of any type. The listing includes both type-1 access points
(AP 100-11, AP 100-12 and AP 100-13) and type-2 access points (AP
100-21, AP 100-22 and AP 100-23). Type-1 access points may
generally have lower uncertainty and type-2 access points may
generally have higher uncertainty. The listing may be split or
subdivided into two (or more) sub-lists based on types to form
separate groups.
[0033] Structure 320 includes all type-1 and only type-1 access
points and structure 330 includes all type-2 and only type-2 access
points. In practice, it is possible for only structure 320 to be
formed and structure 330 may be the remainder of structure 310 less
structure 320.
[0034] A mobile device 100 estimates a single TCF representing the
first group and also measures a RTT between the mobile device and
each access point listed in the first list of structure 320. The
single TCF is saved as structure 340 and the RTT measurements are
saved as structure 350 (shown as RTT-1 from AP 100-11, RTT-2 from
AP 100-12 and RTT-3 from AP 100-13). Outlier detection may be used
to remove access points of type 1 from the first list shown in
structure 320. Structure 360 contains the location estimate of the
mobile device 100. Next, the TCF is removed from the RTT
measurements and a location estimate may be formed by trilateration
of the compensated RTT value.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a structure for using RTT measurements from
only some access points while excluding RTT measurements from other
access points to calculate a location estimate of a mobile device,
in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As
schematically illustrated in FIG. 4, since no RTT measurments are
illustrated for type-2 access points in this example, which denotes
that RTT measurements from type-2 access points are excluded. That
is, in the example shown, even though type-2 access points are
available, no RTT measurements from type-2 access points are used
and only RTT measurements from type-1 access points are used to
compute a location estimate.
[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate methods, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention. In method 400 of FIG. 5 at
410, a receiver of a mobile device 200 receives signals from a
plurality of access points. A processor of the mobile device 200
may place the list of available access points 100 in a list of
access points (structure 310 in FIG. 3). At 420, a processor of the
mobile device forms a first list of access points from only some of
the plurality of access points based on a characteristic. That is,
the mobile device 200 generates a first list, where the first list
excluding at least one access point from the available access
points. The mobile device 200 thereby forms a sub-list of some
access points (for example, only type-1 access points and not
type-2 access points) by splitting or filtering structure 310 into
a first list (structure 320 in FIG. 3). Alternatively, structure
320 is formed directly from signals from access points having a
certain characteristic (for example, a type-1 characteristic).
Optionally, the mobile device 200 may also create a second list
(structure 330 of FIG. 3) listing access points (for example, a
type-2 characteristic) later ignored in location estimation.
Therefore, in some embodiments, the first list of access points and
the second list of access points are mutually exclusive.
[0037] At 430, the mobile device 200 measures round-trip times
(RTTs) for access points in the first list. The RTT measurements
may be sent to a server or used locally to compute a location
estimate of the mobile device.
[0038] In method 402 of FIG. 6, the steps of 410-430 are described
above to form a first list. Next, at 440, a processor of the mobile
device 200 estimates a first turnaround calibration function (TCF)
representing the first list of access points. At 450, the processor
computes a position fix of the mobile device based on the RTTs for
access points in the first list and the first TCF. That is, each
RTT measurement for each access point in the group (the first list)
is reduce by the same TCF.
[0039] In some embodiments, two groupings of access points are
formed. In these embodiments, only a first list of access points
(and not a second list of access points) is used to form a location
estimate of a mobile device. In other embodiments, three lists of
access points are formed. In these embodiments, a first list and
part or all of a second list are used to form a location estimate
of a mobile device. For example, when a first list contains
ill-positioned access points or an insufficient number of access
points to form a location estimate of a mobile device, RTT
measurements from secondary access points are used to increase the
pool of access points such that the pool of access points no longer
is ill positioned or too small in number to form a location
estimate. All of the access points, or alternatively, a selected
one or selected few of the access points from the second list may
be used. In still other embodiments, more than three groupings of
access points are formed. For example, when a first list and a
second list contain ill-positioned access points or an insufficient
number of access points to form a location estimate of a mobile
device, RTT measurements from a third list of access points are
used. In other words, a first list is used when the first list is
sufficient. A second list is used (either partially or fully) when
the first list is insufficient. A third list is used when both the
first and second lists are insufficient. An ill-positioned set of
access points are access points that are, for example, positioned
to one side of the mobile device. A well-positioned set of access
points are evenly distributed around the mobile device. Three or
more access points may be a sufficient number of access points, if
well positioned. A set or list of access points best provide a
location of a mobile device when the list includes at least three
well distributed access points.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a mobile device 200, in accordance with
some embodiments of the present invention. The mobile device 200
contains a transceiver 210 and a processor 220 with memory 222. The
transceiver 210 contains a wireless transmitter and a wireless
receiver. The memory 222 may be integrated with and/or separate
from the processor 220. In some implementations, the memory 222
stores code configured to be executed by the processor 200, the
code instructing the processor 200 to perform tasks described
herein. The processor 200 may execute inline code or software
modules including: (1) a splitter module 1030; (2) a TCF estimating
module 1040; (3) an RTT computing module 1050; and (4) a location
calculation module 1060. The modules may be written as inline code
or as separate routines. The splitter module 1030 forms structure
320 from either splitting structure 310 or filtering receivable
access points having a certain characteristic or set of
characteristics.
[0041] The TCF estimating module 1040 estimates a single TCF for a
group. The TCF estimating module 1040 may estimate a TCF for only
groups used to calculate a position estimate, for example, the
first group but not the second group of a two group system.
Alternatively, the first group and a second group but not the third
group of a three group system may be used to calculate a position
estimate.
[0042] The RTT computing module 1050 removes the TCF from the RTT
measurements, thereby resulting in a compensated RTT value for each
measurement. The location calculation module 1060 may calculate a
location estimate of the mobile device 200 using only the first
list in a two or more list system. Alternatively, the location
calculation module 1060 may calculate a location estimate of the
mobile device 200 using one or more of the list on access points of
a three or more list system but excludes the last list of access
points. The last list of access points often includes access points
with a high degree of uncertainty in the access points' TCF values.
If necessary, the last list of access points may be partially used
just until the pool of access points are not ill positioned and not
too few in number.
[0043] The methodologies described herein may be implemented by
various means depending upon the application. For example, these
methodologies may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software,
or any combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the
processing units may be implemented within one or more application
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors
(DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable
logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors,
electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the
functions described herein, or a combination thereof.
[0044] For a firmware and/or software implementation, the
methodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures,
functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein.
Any machine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be
used in implementing the methodologies described herein. For
example, software codes may be stored in a memory and executed by a
processor unit. Memory may be implemented within the processor unit
or external to the processor unit. As used herein the term "memory"
refers to any type of long term, short term, volatile, nonvolatile,
or other memory and is not to be limited to any particular type of
memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memory is
stored.
[0045] If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions
may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a
computer-readable medium. Examples include computer-readable media
encoded with a data structure and computer-readable media encoded
with a computer program. Computer-readable media includes physical
computer storage media. A storage medium may be any available
medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and
not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be
used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or
data structures and that can be accessed by a computer; disk and
disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,
optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray
disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0046] In addition to storage on computer readable medium,
instructions and/or data may be provided as signals on transmission
media included in a communication apparatus. For example, a
communication apparatus may include a transceiver having signals
indicative of instructions and data. The instructions and data are
configured to cause one or more processors to implement the
functions outlined in the claims. That is, the communication
apparatus includes transmission media with signals indicative of
information to perform disclosed functions. At a first time, the
transmission media included in the communication apparatus may
include a first portion of the information to perform the disclosed
functions, while at a second time the transmission media included
in the communication apparatus may include a second portion of the
information to perform the disclosed functions.
[0047] The previous description of the disclosed aspects is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without
departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *