Communication node and corresponding operating method

A communication node, comprising:

• an ultra-wideband, UWB, communication unit configured to enable UWB communication with a plurality of external communication nodes;
• a processing unit configured to perform ranging sessions between the communication node and the external communication nodes, wherein the ranging sessions comprise one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged between the communication node and the external communication nodes, wherein the messages are exchanged through the UWB communication unit;
• and
• a prioritization unit configured to prioritize the ranging sessions in dependence on at least one previously measured distance between the communication node and the respective external communication nodes, wherein the prioritization unit is configured to compare the previously measured distance against at least one predefined range of distances, and to change the priority of the ranging sessions if the previously measured distance falls within said predefined range.

A communication node, comprising:

• an ultra-wideband, UWB, communication unit configured to enable UWB communication with a plurality of external communication nodes;
• a processing unit configured to perform ranging sessions between the communication node and the external communication nodes, wherein the ranging sessions comprise one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged between the communication node and the external communication nodes, wherein the messages are exchanged through the UWB communication unit;
• and
• a prioritization unit configured to prioritize the ranging sessions in dependence on at least one previously measured distance between the communication node and the respective external communication nodes, wherein the prioritization unit is configured to prioritize a specific one of the ranging sessions by changing a value of a priority parameter used by a scheduler of the communication node, and wherein, when a specific ranging session associated with said priority parameter collides or overlaps with at least one other ranging session in a given time slot, the scheduler is configured to schedule said specific ranging session if the priority parameter has a higher value than a priority parameter associated with the other ranging session.

A method of operating a communication node, comprising:

• enabling, by an ultra-wideband, UWB, communication unit comprised in said communication node, UWB communication with a plurality of external communication nodes;
• performing, by a processing unit comprised in said communication node, ranging sessions between the communication node and said external communication nodes, wherein said ranging sessions comprise one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged between the communication node and said external communication nodes, wherein said messages are exchanged through the UWB communication unit;
• and
• prioritizing, by a prioritization unit comprised in said communication node, said ranging sessions in dependence on at least one previously measured distance between the communication node and the respective external communication nodes, wherein prioritizing includes increasing the priority of a specific one of the ranging sessions, to be performed with a specific external communication node, when one or more previously performed distance measurements with the specific external communication node indicate that the distance between the communication node and the specific external communication node has decreased.

A method of operating a communication node, comprising:

• enabling, by an ultra-wideband, UWB, communication unit comprised in the communication node, UWB communication with a plurality of external communication nodes;
• performing, by a processing unit comprised in the communication node, ranging sessions between the communication node and the external communication nodes, wherein the ranging sessions comprise one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged between the communication node and the external communication nodes, wherein the messages are exchanged through the UWB communication unit;
• and
• prioritizing, by a prioritization unit comprised in the communication node, the ranging sessions in dependence on at least one previously measured distance between the communication node and the respective external communication nodes, wherein the prioritization unit compares the previously measured distance against at least one predefined range of distances, and changes the priority of the ranging sessions if the previously measured distance falls within said predefined range.