Fast generation of radio coverage map of access points in an indoor environment

• US 8,971,919 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2013
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Do, Ju-Yong, Park, Young Shin
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAHEED, KHALID W
• Application Number:
  US13/748,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20140206380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 455/404.2, 455/440, 455/457
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/20 for indoor coverage or short range network deployment

Abstract

A method for generating a two-dimensional radio coverage map comprising a plurality of physical levels including a first physical level and a second physical level. The access point is located above the second physical level. A first radio coverage map comprising original points located at a first distance from the access point is generated. Each of the original points has a first predicted value. A distance is selected to place the two-dimensional radio coverage map at the target distance from the access point. Coordinates of map points of the two-dimensional radio coverage map are generated. Each of the map points corresponds to one of the original points. An offset value representing an attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance is computed. For each of the map points, a predicted received signal strength value is generated by adding the offset value to the first predicted value of the corresponding one of the original points.

Claims

1. A method for generating a two-dimensional radio coverage map for an access point in a wireless environment comprising a plurality of physical levels including a first physical level and a second physical level, the method comprising:

Generating, by one of a location assistance server, mobile station, or generation module, a first radio coverage map comprising a plurality of original points, each of the plurality of original points having a first predicted value, the first radio coverage map being located above the second physical level and at a first distance from the access point, the access point being located above the second physical level;

selecting a target distance to place a plurality of map points corresponding to the two-dimensional radio coverage map between the first physical level and the second physical level and at the target distance from the access point;

generating coordinates of the map points by magnifying the first radio coverage map using a ratio of the target distance to the first distance, each of the map points corresponding to one of the plurality of original points;

computing an offset value representing an attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance; and

generating for each of the map points a predicted received signal strength value by adding the offset value to the first predicted value of the corresponding one of the plurality of original points.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, the method further comprising:

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level and wherein the wireless environment comprises one or more third physical levels located between the first physical level and the second physical level, the method further comprising:

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points by a value representing an aggregation of signal attenuations caused by the second physical level and the one or more third physical levels.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the coordinates of the map points by magnifying the first radio coverage map using the ratio of the target distance to the first distance is performed in accordance with the following equations:

x_i=d_i/d₀*x₀;

y_i=d_i/d₀*y₀;

where;

(x_i, y_i)=coordinates of one of the map points;

(x₀, y₀)=coordinates of a corresponding one of the plurality of original points;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein computing the offset value representing the attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance is performed in accordance with the following equation:

RSSIOffset_i=10*pathLossExp*log₁₀(d₀/d_i)

where;

RSSIOffset_i=the offset value;

pathLossExp=path loss exponent;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the first radio coverage map comprises:

generating the plurality of original points corresponding to a two-dimensional plane located above the second physical level and at the first distance from the access point; and

generating, for each of the plurality of original points on the two-dimensional plane, the first predicted value representing a predicted received signal strength of a signal transmitted by the access point to produce the first radio coverage map comprising the plurality of original points.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, the method further comprising:

determining a projection window located at a same vertical level as the second physical level;

determining a projected area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map by computing a geometrical projection from the access point through the projection window onto the two-dimensional radio coverage map;

identifying a plurality of first points in a first area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map, the first area being outside the projected area, each of the first points having the predicted received signal strength value; and

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the first points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the projection window comprises:

determining a center of the projection window and a plurality of points located on a perimeter of the projection window.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the projection window is performed using information regarding a structural layout of the wireless environment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information regarding the structural layout of the wireless environment includes information regarding material types of the plurality of physical levels.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the projection window comprises determining an open space located at the same vertical level as the second physical level.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the projection window is not an open space and causes a second signal attenuation, the method further comprising:

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points that are located within the projected area by a value equal to the second signal attenuation.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the first area is adjacent to the projected area.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the first area is not adjacent to the projected area, the method further comprising:

identifying a plurality of transition points in a second area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map that are located between the projected area and the first area, each of the transition points having a corresponding predicted received signal strength value; and

reducing the corresponding predicted received signal strength value of each of the transition points by a value less than the signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

15. An apparatus for generating a two-dimensional radio coverage map for an access point in a wireless environment comprising a plurality of physical levels including a first physical level and a second physical level, the apparatus comprising:

means for generating a first radio coverage map comprising a plurality of original points, each of the plurality of original points having a first predicted value, the first radio coverage map being located above the second physical level and at a first distance from the access point, the access point being located above the second physical level;

means for selecting a target distance to place a plurality of map points corresponding to the two-dimensional radio coverage map between the first physical level and the second physical level and at the target distance from the access point;

means for generating coordinates of the map points by magnifying the first radio coverage map using a ratio of the target distance to the first distance, each of the map points corresponding to one of the plurality of original points;

means for computing an offset value representing an attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance; and

means for generating for each of the map points a predicted received signal strength value by adding the offset value to the first predicted value of the corresponding one of the plurality of original points.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, the apparatus further comprising:

means for reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for generating the coordinates of the map points by magnifying the first radio coverage map using the ratio of the target distance to the first distance generates the coordinates of the map points in accordance with the following equations:

x_i=d_i/d₀*x₀;

y_i=d_i/d₀*y₀;

where;

(x_i, y_i)=coordinates of one of the map points;

(x₀, y₀)=coordinates of a corresponding one of the plurality of original points;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for computing the offset value representing the attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance computes the offset value in accordance with the following equation:

RSSIOffset_i=10*pathLossExp*log₁₀(d₀/d_i)

where;

RSSIOffset_i=the offset value;

pathLossExp=path loss exponent;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for generating the first radio coverage map comprises:

means for generating the plurality of original points corresponding to a two-dimensional plane located above the second physical level and at the first distance from the access point; and

means for generating, for each of the plurality of original points on the two-dimensional plane, the first predicted value representing a predicted received signal strength of a signal transmitted by the access point to produce the first radio coverage map comprising the plurality of original points.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, the apparatus further comprising:

means for determining a projection window located at a same vertical level as the second physical level;

means for determining a projected area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map by computing a geometrical projection from the access point through the projection window onto the two-dimensional radio coverage map;

means for identifying a plurality of first points in a first area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map, the first area being outside the projected area, each of the first points having the predicted received signal strength value; and

means for reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the first points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for determining the projection window comprises:

means for determining a center of the projection window and a plurality of points located on a perimeter of the projection window.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for determining a projection window utilizes information regarding a structural layout of the wireless environment.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the information regarding the structural layout of the wireless environment includes information regarding material types of the plurality of physical levels.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for determining the projection window comprises the means for determining an open space located at the same vertical level as the second physical level.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the projection window is not an open space and causes a second signal attenuation, the apparatus further comprising:

means for reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points that are located within the projected area by a value equal to the second signal attenuation.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first area is not adjacent to the projected area, the apparatus further comprising:

means for identifying a plurality of transition points in a second area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map that are located between the projected area and the first area, each of the transition points having a corresponding predicted received signal strength value; and

means for reducing the corresponding predicted received signal strength value of each of the transition points by a value less than the signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

27. An article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program code for generating a two-dimensional radio coverage map for an access point in a wireless environment comprising a plurality of physical levels including a first physical level and a second physical level, the program code comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

generating a first radio coverage map comprising a plurality of original points, each of the plurality of original points having a first predicted value, the first radio coverage map being located above the second physical level and at a first distance from the access point, the access point being located above the second physical level;

selecting a target distance to place a plurality of map points corresponding to the two-dimensional radio coverage map between the first physical level and the second physical level and at the target distance from the access point;

generating coordinates of the map points by magnifying the first radio coverage map using aratio of the target distance to the first distance, each of the map points corresponding to one of the plurality of original points;

computing an offset value representing an attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance; and

generating for each of the map points a predicted received signal strength value by adding the offset value to the first predicted value of the corresponding one of the plurality of original points.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 27, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, and wherein the program code further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations comprising:

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 27, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform the operation of generating the coordinates of the map points cause the processor to perform the operation in accordance with the following equations:

x_i=d_i/d₀*x₀;

y_i=d_i/d₀*y₀;

where;

(x_i, y_i)=coordinates of one of the map points;

(x₀, y₀)=coordinates of a corresponding one of the plurality of original points;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

30. The article of manufacture of claim 27, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform the operation of computing the offset value representing the attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance cause the processor to perform the operation in accordance with the following equation:

RSSIOffset_i=10*pathLossExp*log₁₀(d₀/d_i)

where;

RSSIOffset_i=the offset value;

pathLossExp=path loss exponent;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

31. The article of manufacture of claim 27, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform the operation of generating the first radio coverage map comprise instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

generating the plurality of original points corresponding to a two-dimensional plane located above the second physical level and at the first distance from the access point; and

generating, for each of the plurality of original points on the two-dimensional plane, the first predicted value representing a predicted received signal strength of a signal transmitted by the access point to produce the first radio coverage map comprising the plurality of original points.

32. The article of manufacture of claim 27, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, and wherein the program code further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

determining a projection window located at a same vertical level as the second physical level;

determining a projected area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map by computing a geometrical projection from the access point through the projection window onto the two-dimensional radio coverage map;

identifying a plurality of first points in a first area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map, the first area being outside the projected area, each of the first points having the predicted received signal strength value; and

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the first points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

33. The article of manufacture of claim 32, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform the operation of determining the projection window comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations comprising:

determining a center of the projection window and a plurality of points located on a perimeter of the projection window.

34. The article of manufacture of claim 32, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform the operation of determining a projection window cause the processor to perform the operation using information regarding a structural layout of the wireless environment.

35. The article of manufacture of claim 34, wherein the information regarding the structural layout of the wireless environment includes information regarding material types of the plurality of physical levels.

36. The article of manufacture of claim 32, wherein the instructions causing the processor to perform the operation of determining a projection window cause the processor to perform the operation of determining an open space located at the same vertical level as the second physical level.

37. The article of manufacture of claim 32, wherein the projection window is not an open space and causes a second signal attenuation, and wherein the program code further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations comprising:

reducing the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points that are located within the projected area by a value equal to the second signal attenuation.

38. The article of manufacture of claim 32, wherein the first area is not adjacent to the projected area, and wherein the program code further comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the operations comprising:

identifying a plurality of transition points in a second area on the two-dimensional radio coverage map that are located between the projected area and the first area, each of the transition points having a corresponding predicted received signal strength value; and

reducing the corresponding predicted received signal strength value of each of the transition points by a value less than the signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

39. An apparatus for generating a two-dimensional radio coverage map for an access point in a wireless environment comprising a plurality of physical levels including a first physical level and a second physical level, the apparatus comprising:

logic configured to generate a first radio coverage map comprising a plurality of original points, each of the plurality of original points having a first predicted value, the first radio coverage map being located above the second physical level and at a first distance from the access point, the access point being located above the second physical level;

logic configured to select a target distance to place a plurality of map points corresponding to the two-dimensional radio coverage map between the first physical level and the second physical level and at the target distance from the access point;

logic configured to generate coordinates of the map points by magnifying the first radio coverage map using a ratio of the target distance to the first distance, each of the map points corresponding to one of the plurality of original points;

logic configured to compute an offset value representing an attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance; and

logic configured to generate for each of the map points a predicted received signal strength value by adding the offset value to the first predicted value of the corresponding one of the plurality of original points.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the second physical level is located above the first physical level, and further comprising logic configured to reduce the predicted received signal strength value of each of the map points by a value equal to a signal attenuation caused by the second physical level.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the logic configured to perform the operation of generating the coordinates of the map points is configured to perform the operation in accordance with the following equations:

x_i=d_i/d₀*x₀;

y_i=d_i/d₀*y₀;

where;

(x_i, y_i)=coordinates of one of the map points;

(x₀, y₀)=coordinates of a corresponding one of the plurality of original points;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the logic configured to perform the operation of computing the offset value representing the attenuation due to the target distance being different than the first distance is configured to perform the operation in accordance with the following equation:

RSSIOffset_i=10*pathLossExp*log₁₀(d₀/d_i)

where;

RSSIOffset_i=the offset value;

pathLossExp=path loss exponent;

d₀=the first distance; and

d_i=the target distance.

43. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising:

logic configured to generate the plurality of original points corresponding to a two-dimensional plane located above the second physical level and at the first distance from the access point; and

logic configured to generate, for each of the plurality of original points on the two-dimensional plane, the first predicted value representing a predicted received signal strength of a signal transmitted by the access point to produce the first radio coverage map comprising the plurality of original points.