Determining node location using a variable power characteristic of a node in a wireless node network

摘要

Methods and systems for enhanced node location determination by varying a power characteristic of nodes in a wireless node network are described. At least one of the nodes is instructed by a managing element in the network to incrementally change the power characteristic (e.g., change output power level and/or node receiver sensitivity). As the power characteristic incrementally changes, nodes are identified that initially received a signal broadcast from a first of the nodes but no longer receive the broadcast signal. As the power characteristic continues to incrementally change, a node is identified as a last of the nodes that receives the broadcast signal before none of the other nodes can receive the broadcast signal. As such, the identified last of the other nodes is a closest node to the first node. Then, a location of the first node is determined based upon the closest node to the first node.

主权项

1. A method for enhanced node location determination by varying a power characteristic of nodes in a wireless node network managed by a server, the method comprising:
(a) instructing, by the server, a first of the nodes in the wireless node network to vary the power characteristic for one or more signals broadcast by the first node, wherein the first node is not operative to directly communicate with the server but is operative to directly communicate with an intermediary one of the nodes, wherein the intermediary one of the nodes being at a hierarchically higher level within the wireless node network compared to the first node, and wherein the server is operative to indirectly communicate with and instruct the first node through the intermediary one of the nodes; (b) identifying, by the server, a first group of other nodes in the wireless node network that are near the first node based upon those of the other nodes that received at least one of the one or more signals broadcast by the first node as the first node varies the power characteristic; (c) identifying, by the server, a closest one or more of the other nodes as a smallest group of the other nodes that received at least one of the one or more signals broadcast by the first node as the first node varies the power characteristic; and (d) determining, by the server, a location of the first node based upon the closest one or more of the other nodes.