Mapping, characterization and localization methods and systems for communication networks
AssigneeNeuratech Communications Inc.
InventorWisam Hikmat Faraj Farjow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of mapping and characterizing a communication network is described. Segments are mapped by having each node of the network sending and receiving messages to discover its partner until the network is fully mapped. Each segment is characterized by sample messages sent along each segment, with received signal level at each end of the segment being measured and used to calculate cable segment parameters. Location tags may have their positions estimated by using signal levels at each end of a leaky cable segment receiving the tag signal to estimate the position of location tag.
Claims9
A method of estimating a location of a location tag using a network, the network comprising a plurality of leaky cable segments, each segment having a first node at a first segment end and a second node at a second segment end, the method comprising the steps of:
- (A) receiving, on a particular leaky cable segment, a tag signal comprising a tag message transmitted from a location tag;
- (B) after the tag signal travels to the first node and second node of the particular leaky cable segment, measuring the received first node tag signal level and the received second node tag signal level;
- (C) using a previously known length of the particular leaky cable segment and a difference between the received first node tag signal level and the received second node tag signal level, determining a point on the particular leaky cable segment at which the tag signal was received;
- (D) using a previously known location of the particular leaky cable segment, determining a location of the point on the particular leaky cable segment at which the tag signal was received;
- and
- (E) estimating a position of the location tag in association with the processing of steps (A) through (D).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.