Wireless Ranging Using Physical and Virtual Responders

An electronic device, comprising:

• a physical responder, comprising:
• a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver configured to receive wireless signals;
• and
• multiple antennas;
• and
• an integrated circuit coupled to the physical responder, wherein the electronic device is configured to:
• configure two or more virtual responders associated with different subsets of capabilities of the physical responder, wherein a given virtual responder corresponds to the RF transceiver and a given antenna in the multiple antennas.

A method for determining a range, comprising:

• by an electronic device:
• configuring two or more virtual responders associated with different subsets of capabilities of a physical responder in the electronic device, wherein the physical responder comprises a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver that receives wireless signals and multiple antennas, wherein a given virtual responder corresponds to the RF transceiver and a given antenna in the multiple antennas;
• performing, based at least in part on wireless communication with a second electronic device and using at least the virtual responders, measurements on the wireless signals associated with the second electronic device and intended for the electronic device, wherein the measurements correspond to a time of flight of the wireless signals;
• and
• determining, based at least in part on the measurements, the range between the electronic device and the second electronic device, wherein the determination uses the measurements from different virtual responders.