Patent classifications
G01S1/06
Geolocation of radio frequency devices using spaceborne phased arrays
A communication system has a phased antenna array configured to communicate via a plurality of beams with a wireless device, such as user equipment (e.g., a smart phone). The plurality of beams defines a field of view of the phased antenna array, the field of view having a plurality of cells and each of the plurality of beams is associated with one of the plurality of cells within the field of view. A processing device detects the wireless device within the field of view and determines a coarse geographic location of the wireless device within the field of view of the wireless device when the wireless device is within the field of view, or within a cell. The system further determines a fine geographic location for the wireless device based on frequency offset (due to Doppler) and signal flight time.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDOOR LOCALIZATION USING BEACONS
Systems and methods are described for determining positions of indoor localization beacons without requiring a physical site survey. In a coarse positioning method, a mobile node receives beacon signals that identify rooms (such as stores in a shopping mall) in which the beacons are located. The mobile node obtains floor plan information relating to the building and estimates beacon locations based on the floor plan and beacon signal strength. The estimated beacon locations may be arranged in a predetermined geometric pattern based on the number of beacons in a room. In a fine positioning method, a mobile node recognizes its proximity to a beacon and responsively measures the distance to other beacons. Estimated beacon positions may be used to estimate the location of the mobile node using trilateration or other techniques.