Methods for Determining Relative Locations of Multiple Nodes in a Wireless Network

摘要

A wireless communications network may include multiple nodes, one of which is selected as a master node. The nodes may take turns broadcasting respective packets according to a predetermined broadcast schedule. During any given broadcast iteration, each node may broadcast a packet while the other remaining nodes receive the broadcast packet in parallel. In response to receiving the broadcast packet, each node may be configured to obtain desired estimated timing values. The estimated timing values may be transmitted back to the master node for use in computing time-of-flight information. Frequency-synchronization operations may be periodically performed to help reduce timing errors. The time-of-flight information, along with other location-based metrics, may be used in determining the relative positions of the multiple nodes in the network.

主权项

1. A method of operating a plurality of nodes in a wireless communications network, comprising:
broadcasting a respective packet according to a schedule with each of the plurality of nodes, wherein at most one node is broadcasting at any given point in time; while one of the plurality of nodes is broadcasting, receiving the broadcast packet with the other remaining nodes in the plurality of nodes in parallel; in response to receiving the broadcast packet, obtaining desired timing estimates at the receiving nodes; and determining relative positions of the plurality of nodes in the wireless communications network based on the timing estimates.