Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, a memory or non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for passive beacon communication techniques. Transmitting devices (e.g., beacons) can transmit advertising messages using a first wireless protocol to provide timing for ranging messages for one of more ranging messages over a second protocol (e.g., UWB). One or more receiving devices can determine using signal strength if the devices are within a threshold range to perform communication techniques. Various ranging communications techniques can be used to determine a range between the receiving device and transmitting device. Other techniques can be used to passively calculate the angle of arrival for transmitter signals. The angle of arrival information can be used for precise position locating for the receiving device or to indicate interest in information provided by the one or more transmitting devices.

Example embodiments include an electronic device and a method for operating an electronic device. The electronic device includes an ultra-wide band (UWB) antenna including directional antennas disposed on a rear surface of the electronic device and at least one omnidirectional antenna. The electronic device further includes a communication circuit configured to transmit and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals of a frequency band designated to be used for UWB communication, through the UWB antenna, with an external electronic device. The electronic device further includes a processor configured to calculate a first distance value and a second distance value, and to determine, based on a distance difference between the first distance value and the second distance value, whether the external electronic device exists within a field of view (FoV) indicating a specified angular range with respect to the direction to which the rear surface faces.

An information handling system is disclosed and includes a processor, a memory, a power management unit (PMU), at least two antennas, and a wireless interface operatively coupled to the at least two antennas. The processor may execute code instructions for a distance and direction detection module therein configured to enable phase-based ranging with narrow band tone exchange, to add at least one constant tone duration to a wireless data signal frame, to monitor for nearby peripheral devices, and to measure at least two distances between each of the at least two antennas at the information handling system and a nearby peripheral device using switching between the at least two antennas.

Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, a memory or non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for passive beacon communication techniques. Transmitting devices (e.g., beacons) can transmit advertising messages using a first wireless protocol to provide timing for ranging messages for one of more ranging messages over a second protocol (e.g., UWB). One or more receiving devices can determine using signal strength if the devices are within a threshold range to perform communication techniques. Various ranging communications techniques can be used to determine a range between the receiving device and transmitting device. Other techniques can be used to passively calculate the angle of arrival for transmitter signals. The angle of arrival information can be used for precise position locating for the receiving device or to indicate interest in information provided by the one or more transmitting devices.

Using captured and stored wideband historical radio frequency data bearing information to the source of a signal of interest achieved using as few as two receivers and a plurality of commutating antennas. Wideband IQ data streams are received at two or more receivers and stored for later analysis. A first receiver is coupled to a reference antenna and a second receiver is commutatively coupled to a plurality of commutating antennas. Later, streams of wideband IQ data are retrieved for a select period of time and synchronized. From these streams a signal of interest identified and synchronously sampled over an acquisition interval by each receiver. Phase differences of the signal at each of the plurality commutating antennas is measured enabling a determination of the bearing to the common signal of interest.

Using captured and stored wideband historical radio frequency data bearing information to the source of a signal of interest achieved using as few as two receivers and a plurality of commutating antennas. Wideband IQ data streams are received at two or more receivers and stored for later analysis. A first receiver is coupled to a reference antenna and a second receiver is commutatively coupled to a plurality of commutating antennas. Later, streams of wideband IQ data are retrieved for a select period of time and synchronized. From these streams a signal of interest identified and synchronously sampled over an acquisition interval by each receiver. Phase differences of the signal at each of the plurality commutating antennas is measured enabling a determination of the bearing to the common signal of interest.

In examples, systems and methods for direction finding of electromagnetic signals are described. The device includes a first antenna configured to receive electromagnetic energy. The device also includes a second antenna configured to separately receive the same electromagnetic energy. The device further includes a radome located in a receiving pathway of the first antenna, where the radome is configured to cause a predetermined phase shift that varies based on an angular position of the receiving pathway. The device includes 1 or more radio receivers to receive the signals independently from the antennas. Additionally, the direction finding device includes a processor configured to determine an angle of arrival of the electromagnetic energy based on a comparison of a phase of the electromagnetic energy received by the first antenna to a phase of the electromagnetic energy received by the second antenna.

A method and an apparatus are provided for determining the location of a mobile device using multiple wireless access points, each wireless access point comprising multiple antennas. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to location of a mobile device in an indoor environment, such as a building. The method includes receiving a communication signal from the mobile device at each of multiple antennas of said multiple wireless access points; for each wireless access point, determining angle-of-arrival information of the received communication signal at the wireless access point, based on a difference in phase of the received signal between different antennas; collecting, from each of the multiple wireless access points, the determined angle-of-arrival information for the received communication signal from the mobile device; and estimating the location of the mobile device from the collected angle-of-arrival information.

A method and an apparatus are provided for determining the location of a mobile device using multiple wireless access points, each wireless access point comprising multiple antennas. The apparatus and method are particularly suited to location of a mobile device in an indoor environment, such as a building. The method includes receiving a communication signal from the mobile device at each of multiple antennas of said multiple wireless access points; for each wireless access point, determining angle-of-arrival information of the received communication signal at the wireless access point, based on a difference in phase of the received signal between different antennas; collecting, from each of the multiple wireless access points, the determined angle-of-arrival information for the received communication signal from the mobile device; and estimating the location of the mobile device from the collected angle-of-arrival information.

Example embodiments include an electronic device and a method for operating an electronic device. The electronic device includes an ultra-wide band (UWB) antenna including directional antennas disposed on a rear surface of the electronic device and at least one omnidirectional antenna. The electronic device further includes a communication circuit configured to transmit and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals of a frequency band designated to be used for UWB communication, through the UWB antenna, with an external electronic device. The electronic device further includes a processor configured to calculate a first distance value and a second distance value, and to determine, based on a distance difference between the first distance value and the second distance value, whether the external electronic device exists within a field of view (FoV) indicating a specified angular range with respect to the direction to which the rear surface faces.