HK1179800A - Wlan-based positioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique to provide a WLAN-based positioning system to determine a location of a mobile wireless receiving device. A single access point is used to generate a plurality of beacons, in which each beacon of the plurality of beacons has a unique identifier. Each beacon is then transmitted in a different direction from other beacons. When the receiving device receives at least one of the transmitted beacons, signal strength or some other signal parameter is obtained from the at least one received beacon. The received signal parameter is used to determine the location of the mobile receiving device.

Description

WLAN-based positioning system

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless communications, and more particularly, to location positioning using wireless LAN technology.

Background

Various communication devices employ global positioning systems to determine the precise location of the device. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are the most widely known systems in use today. Such GNSS systems include the Global Positioning System (GPS) in the united states, the Galileo (Galileo) system in the european union, and GLONASS in russia. As shown in fig. 1, the GNSS system performs triangulation positioning by a plurality of satellites. As shown in fig. 1, a vehicle receives coordinated signals from multiple satellites and determines the arrival times of the signals to triangulate position.

While GNSS systems can provide accurate positioning at the receiver end, satellite communication links are line-of-sight spread, degrading performance when the mobile receiver is indoors or in crowded urban environments (high-rise forests). Thus, when a high obstacle exists between the positioning satellite and the device whose location is to be triangulated, the GNSS system may not provide the desired performance to identify the location of the device.

A different positioning system employs Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology to provide positioning information. WLAN-based positioning systems are emerging as GNSS augmentation in environments where satellite signal reception is problematic. However, WLAN-based systems are regional rather than global. Figure 2 illustrates one example of a WLAN-based system that triangulates the position of a receiver. Figure 2 shows a moving person carrying the receiver. As shown in fig. 2, three WiFi Access Points (APs) each generate a beacon with a respective identifier. That is, a moving person may receive beacons from surrounding WiFi access points without requiring a connection. When the user connects to a database that stores a list of measured signal strengths, the receiver can estimate its approximate distance from each access point to triangulate its position by measuring the signal strengths of the signals received from the access points.

Although WiFi signals do not require line-of-sight propagation, between a particular access point and receiver, WiFi signals are still subject to multipath radio frequency propagation and other interference from the channel. Increasing the density of access points to triangulate with more access points may improve accuracy, but adds significant investment in equipment and infrastructure.

Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient strategy for WLAN-based positioning systems to perform positioning.

Disclosure of Invention

(1) A method, comprising: generating a plurality of beacons from a single access point device over a period of time, wherein each beacon of the plurality of beacons has a unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons; transmitting each beacon from a single access point device in a different direction than the other beacons; receiving the transmitted at least one beacon at the mobile receiving device; determining a received signal parameter from the received at least one beacon; and determining the location of the mobile receiving device using the received signal parameters.

(2) The method of (1), wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting a beacon using a wireless local access network protocol.

(3) The method of (2), wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting each beacon using an 802.11 protocol.

(4) The method of (2), wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting each beacon on a 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 60GHz frequency band.

(5) The method of (2), wherein each unique identifier distinguishes each beacon to operate as a separate virtual network when generating the plurality of beacons.

(6) The method of (2), wherein the unique identifier is at least one of a service group identification and a media access control address.

(7) A method, comprising: generating a plurality of beacons from a single access point device over a period of time, wherein each beacon of the plurality of beacons has a unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons; and transmitting each beacon from a single access point device in a different direction than the other beacons, such that when a mobile receiving device receives the transmitted at least one beacon, the mobile receiving device determines received signal parameters from the received at least one beacon and uses the received signal parameters to determine the location of the mobile receiving device.

8. The method of (7), wherein the received signal parameters comprise a received signal strength of at least one received beacon.

9. The method of (7), wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting a beacon using a wireless local access network protocol.

(10) The method of (9), wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting each beacon using an 802.11 protocol.

(11) The method of (9), wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting each beacon on a 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 60GHz frequency band.

(12) The method of (9), wherein each unique identifier distinguishes each beacon to operate as a separate virtual network when generating the plurality of beacons.

(13) The method of (9), wherein the unique identifier is at least one of a service group identification and a media access control address.

(14) The method of (7), further comprising: generating a second plurality of beacons from a second access point device, wherein each beacon of the second plurality of beacons also has a unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons; and transmitting each beacon of the second plurality of beacons of the second access point device in a different direction than other beacons of the second access point device, such that when the mobile receiving device receives at least one beacon transmitted by the second access point device, the mobile receiving device determines the received signal parameters based on beacons received from both access point devices and determines the location of the mobile receiving device using the received signal parameters from both access point devices.

(15) An apparatus, comprising: a baseband module of the access point device generating a plurality of unique identifiers such that each beacon of the plurality of beacons is assigned a different unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons; a transmitter of an access point device coupled to the baseband module to receive the unique identifier and generate a beacon at a radio frequency; and a directional antenna of the access point device coupled to the transmitter to transmit each beacon in a different direction than the other beacons, such that when the mobile receiving device receives the transmitted at least one beacon, the mobile receiving device determines received signal parameters from the received at least one beacon and determines a location of the mobile receiving device using the received signal parameters.

(16) The device of (15), wherein the received signal parameters comprise a received signal strength of the received at least one beacon.

(17) The device of (15), wherein the transmitter transmits the beacon using a wireless local access network protocol.

(18) The device of (15), wherein the transmitter transmits each beacon using an 802.11 protocol.

(19) The device of (15), wherein the unique identifier is at least one of a service group identification and a media access control address.

(20) The device of (15), wherein the plurality of beacons provide a propagation pattern that covers an area defined by a boundary.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a prior art technique for positioning with multiple satellites.

Fig. 2 shows a prior art technique for positioning with multiple WiFi access points.

Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the invention using a single access point for location determination, wherein multiple beacons, each with a unique identifier, are propagated in different directions.

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device serving as an access point device for implementing an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a wireless communication apparatus serving as a receiving apparatus for implementing an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which multiple access points are used, wherein each access point operates in the same manner as the single access point shown in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various wireless communication devices operating in a wireless network. The examples described herein are applicable to devices operating with current WLAN-based technologies, such as the 2.4GHz band or the 5GHz band, which contains today's WiFi protocols, as well as to devices operating with developing WLAN-based technologies, such as the newer 60GHz standard in the 60GHz band being developed by the wireless gigabit alliance (WiGig or WGA) and IEEE. However, the present invention is not limited to a particular WLAN technology and may be readily adapted to other frequencies, protocols, and standards. For example, the present invention may be readily adapted to utilize the Bluetooth protocol.

Fig. 3 shows an example for implementing the invention. In fig. 3, a single access point device AP100 operates within the boundary 110. The boundary 110 may be any boundary that may define a boundary region. For example, boundary 110 may represent a building, a warehouse, a portion of an urban landscape, an indoor or outdoor playground, an amusement park, and the like. The AP100 is a single access point that propagates wireless signals, such as Radio Frequency (RF) signals. In one embodiment, the wireless signal is a 2.4GHz or 5GHz WLAN signal, such as a WiFi or 802.11 protocol signal, that is used for WLAN transmissions. In other embodiments, the transmission signal may be a WLAN signal transmitted using millimeter waves, such as the 60GHz band developed by WiGig/IEEE. In yet other embodiments, the transmission may utilize other frequency ranges or other protocols, including bluetooth.

In implementing embodiments of the present invention, the AP100 is operable to transmit a plurality of beacons, each having a unique identifier. In one embodiment, each beacon may effectively operate as a separate virtual WLAN network. An access point typically operates to provide communication connections with multiple stations within its own network. The access point and stations operate as a network commonly referred to as a Basic Service Set (BSS). However, in this example, the AP100 is operable to provide for transmission of multiple beacons, each beacon having a unique identifier. That is, beacons having different identifiers may operate as multiple virtual networks, where each virtual network may operate as an independent BSS with a respective Identification (ID). That is, the AP100 is operable to transmit a beacon signal (virtual network # 1) having a specific SSID (service group identification) with a specific MAC (media access control) address and a different beacon signal (virtual network # 2) with a different SSID and a different MAC address. Likewise, the AP100 sends beacon signals with different SSIDs and MAC addresses to emulate other virtual networks. Thus, in one embodiment, the beacon of each AP100 has a unique SSID and/or MAC address. It is noted that the prior art of providing SSID and/or MAC addresses may be applied to the transmission of each virtual network in some embodiments.

Furthermore, the AP100 does not use omni-directional propagation of the transmission signal but uses directional propagation in the process in which the AP100 transmits different beacons. Directional propagation with beamforming transmission from the AP100 may be implemented using directional antennas. In an embodiment, multiple antennas may be used, wherein a certain signal fed to an antenna provides a certain propagation pattern of the antenna. In particular, each beacon may be assigned a direction to form a directional propagation to transmit signals. This directional transmission may be a narrow beam, commonly referred to as a beam-form wave, to transmit the beacon.

In another technique, directional transmission may be obtained through an antenna having multiple transmitters. For example, an antenna array has multiple transmit elements, where the transmit elements may be configured and signals fed to provide directivity in WLAN signal transmission.

It is noted that beam-shaped wave transmissions applied in the current 802.11n protocol and the developing WiGig60GHz protocol (e.g., the 802.11ac protocol) can be readily adapted to produce directional beacon transmissions originating from the AP 100. In addition, in some embodiments, the AP100 may also perform Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission.

As shown in fig. 3, AP100 generates a plurality of directional beacons to transmit signals for determining the location of devices (e.g., mobile receiving device 111) within boundary 110 using different directional propagation. Three directional beacons 101, 102, 103 are transmitted by the AP100 as shown in fig. 3. The actual number of such directional beacons may vary from system to system. However, at least two directional beacons are generated from the AP 100. Because each beacon is associated with a unique identifier, each beacon may contain a different SSID and/or MAC address to distinguish and identify the particular beacon. As described above, directional beacons are directed and propagated with directional antennas or transmitting elements.

In order to utilize the AP100 as a source for generating the positioning signal, the AP100 is disposed close to the boundary 110 or within the boundary 110 so that the propagation pattern of the beacon transmitted from the AP100 can cover the area of the boundary 110. A sequence of directional beacons is then generated, where each beacon contains a different SSID and/or a different MAC address, and each beacon is transmitted in a different direction than the other beacons. As described above, at least two beacons are utilized. The AP100 cycles through a set of unique beacons for a predetermined period of time. The cycle then repeats. The cycle of a given beacon of the AP100 is typically specific to the communication protocol or standard used by the AP 100.

The transmitted beacons form propagation patterns over the coverage area. Multiple beacons may cover a location at some location. While in other locations the coverage may be obtained by only one beacon and other beacons may have zero or negligible effect on propagation. In this way, propagation patterns based on transmitted beacons may be mapped within the entire boundary 110. Because each beacon can be identified due to a unique identifier, a detailed map can be established over the entire coverage area based on the created pattern. In an embodiment, the propagation pattern of all beacons may be derived as or may be mapped to the Received Signal Strength (RSS) of each beacon at each location within the entire boundary. RSS is used as the received signal parameters to be determined for each beacon. As previously mentioned, some sites will measure the RSS of multiple beacons, while others record the RSS of a single beacon.

For example, in one technique, a measuring device may be brought to a variety of locations and RSS measured and registered for each beacon. The location map of the RSS values for the regions within the collected boundary 110 may be stored in a Database (DB) or some other form of information storage. Because each uniquely identifiable beacon has a unique direction of transmission, a unique pattern mapping of all transmitted beacons is available at different locations, so that each location within the boundary 110 has unique received signal parameters (RSS or some other parameter is used) based on all beacons. A set of all unique location values are stored and later accessed to provide positioning information for the mobile receiver. It is to be noted that the detection of the transmission pattern of the beacon is not limited to the measurement of RSS. Other techniques for determining signal parameters of a beacon may also be applied, including time of arrival (TOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), angle of arrival (AOA), or a combination thereof, of the beacon. As described above, the AP100 establishes a mapping mode for location determination using at least two directional beacons.

Thus, when a mobile device (such as receiving device 111 within boundary 110) is to be located, device 111 receives one or more beacon signals at a particular location. Depending on the number of directional beacons and the size of the boundary 110, it may be appreciated that the device 111 may not be able to receive all beacons. In some examples, it may be possible that it can receive only one beacon. However, at a particular location of the receiver, the beacon received signal strength (or whatever other technique is used to map the propagation domain of the bounding region) of all beacons is measured and the measured value is compared to a value stored in a database corresponding to that propagation pattern. Thus, the receiver uses at least one beacon to obtain the received signal parameters (e.g., RSS, when RSS is the measured parameter) to interpret (decapher) the pattern. The receiving device 111 is provided with position information by comparison with the closest corresponding pattern values previously measured for each location and stored in the database.

It should be noted that in some cases, device 111 may include database information that provides a one-to-one relationship between location and measured signal parameters (e.g., RSS) so that device 111 may access its own database with location information. In other cases, AP100 may provide location assistance information in beacons to help device 111 locate its location. In this example, the device 111 need not maintain a location database in the device.

Further, it is to be noted that fig. 3 shows scanning of the beacon in the planar direction. However, the beacon may also be configured to scan in three dimensions, and thus the location information may also include elevation angle.

Fig. 4 illustrates circuitry that may be used as an embodiment for implementing the AP 100. It should be noted that various other circuits and devices may be used. Fig. 4 shows a schematic block diagram comprising a transmitter 201, a receiver 202, a Local Oscillator (LO) 207 and a baseband module 205. The baseband module 205 provides baseband processing operations. In some embodiments, the baseband module 205 is or includes a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The baseband module 205 is typically coupled to a host unit, application processor, or other unit that provides operational processing for the device and/or user interface.

In fig. 4, a host unit 210 is shown. The host unit 210 may be a part of the AP100 or may be a separate unit. For example, the host 210 may represent a computing portion of a computer or an application portion of an application processor. Memory 206 is shown coupled to baseband module 205, memory 206 may be used to store data, as well as program instructions running on baseband module 205. Various storage devices may be used as the memory 206. It is noted that the memory 206 may be mounted anywhere within the device, for example, in one example, it may also be part of the baseband module 205.

The transmitter 201 and receiver 202 are coupled to a directional antenna 204 through a transmit receive (T/R) switch module 203. The T/R switching module 203 switches the antenna between the transmitter and the receiver according to the operation mode. As described above, antenna 204 includes multiple antennas and multiple antenna elements (e.g., antenna arrays) to provide directional beam-form wave transmission.

The output data from the host unit 210 for transmission is coupled to the baseband module 205 and converted to a baseband signal before being coupled to the transmitter 201. The transmitter 201 converts the baseband signal to an output radio frequency signal (RF) for the AP100 to transmit through the antenna 204. The transmitter 201 may apply one of a number of frequency boosting or modulation techniques to convert the outgoing baseband signal to an outgoing radio frequency signal. Generally speaking, the conversion process depends on the particular communication standard or protocol of the application.

In the same manner, an incoming radio frequency signal is received by the antenna 204 and coupled to the receiver 202, after which the receiver 202 converts the incoming radio frequency signal into an incoming baseband signal, which continues to be coupled to the baseband module 205. Receiver 202 may apply one of a number of downconversion or demodulation techniques to convert an incoming radio frequency signal to an incoming baseband signal. The input baseband signal is processed by the baseband module 205, and input data is output from the baseband module 205 to the host unit 210.

LO207 provides a local oscillator signal for use by transmitter 201 for frequency up-conversion and receiver 202 for frequency down-conversion. In some embodiments, separate local oscillators may be used for the transmitter 201 and the receiver 202. Although various local oscillator circuits may be used, in some embodiments a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is applied to phase lock the local oscillator to output a frequency stabilized local oscillator signal based on the selected frequency.

It is noted that in one embodiment, the baseband module 205, the local oscillator 207, the transmitter 201, and the receiver 202 are integrated into the same Integrated Circuit (IC) chip. The transmitter 201 and receiver 202 are commonly referred to as radio frequency front ends. In other embodiments, one or more of these components may be on separate IC chips. Similarly, other components shown in fig. 4 may be bonded to the same IC chip as the baseband module 205, the local oscillator 207, the transmitter 201, and the receiver 202. In some embodiments, antenna 204 may also be bonded to the same IC chip. Furthermore, with the advent of System On Chip (SOC) integration, a host device such as host unit 210, an application processor, and/or a user interface may be integrated on the same IC chip as baseband module 205, transmitter 201, and receiver 202.

Furthermore, although only one transmitter 201 and one receiver 202 are shown, it should be noted that multiple transmitting units and multiple receiving units, as well as multiple local oscillators, may be utilized in other embodiments. For example, multiple-input and/or multiple-output communications, such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, may utilize multiple transmitters 201 and/or multiple receivers 202 as part of a radio frequency front end. Further, the aforementioned database for storing the propagation pattern to cross-reference a specific site is held in the Database (DB) 211. Database 211 is shown as part of host 210, but in other embodiments database 211 may be maintained elsewhere, either within AP100 or outside of AP 100.

As described above, the baseband module 205 provides SSID and/or MAC addresses that are coupled to one or more transmitters 201 to be converted into independent beacon signals. The radio frequency signal for each beacon transmission is passed to antenna 204 where antenna 204 directs the beacon transmission in a particular direction according to the SSID and MAC address of the beacon.

Likewise, FIG. 5 illustrates circuitry that may be used as an embodiment for implementing the mobile receiving device 111 of FIG. 3. It should be noted that various other circuits and devices may be utilized. Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram comprising a transmitter 301, a receiver 302, a Local Oscillator (LO) 307 and a baseband module 305. The baseband module 305 provides baseband processing operations. In some embodiments, the baseband module 305 is or includes a DSP. The baseband module 305 is typically coupled to a host unit, application processor, or other unit that provides operational processing for the device and/or user interface.

In fig. 5, a host unit 310 is shown. The host unit 310 may be part of the device 111 or it may be a separate unit. For example, host 310 may represent a computing portion of a computer, an application portion of an application processor, and/or a user interface portion of a cell phone or handheld device. Memory 306 is shown coupled to baseband module 305, and memory 306 may be used to store data, as well as program instructions running on baseband module 305. Various storage devices may be used as the memory 306. It is noted that the memory 306 may be mounted anywhere within the device, and in one example, may also be part of the baseband module 305.

Transmitter 301 and receiver 302 are coupled to antenna 304 through T/R switching module 303. The T/R switching module 303 switches the antenna between the transmitter and the receiver according to the operation mode. Antenna 304 may be a single antenna, multiple antennas, multiple antenna elements, or an array to receive directional beacons transmitted from AP 100.

The output data from the host unit 310 for transmission is coupled to the baseband module 305 and converted to a baseband signal before being coupled to the transmitter 301. The transmitter 301 converts the baseband signal into an output radio frequency signal (RF) for transmission from the antenna 304. Transmitter 301 may apply one of a number of frequency boosting or modulation techniques to convert the outgoing baseband signal to an outgoing radio frequency signal. Generally speaking, the conversion process depends on the particular communication standard or protocol of the application.

In the same manner, incoming radio frequency signals are received by antenna 304 and coupled to receiver 302. The receiver 302 then converts the incoming radio frequency signal to an incoming baseband signal, which continues to be coupled to the baseband module 305. Receiver 302 may apply one of a number of downconversion or demodulation techniques to convert the incoming radio frequency signal to an incoming baseband signal. The input baseband signal is processed by the baseband module 305, and the input data is output from the baseband module 305 to the host unit 310. Receiver 302 also includes circuitry for receiving multiple directional beacons from AP100 and measuring certain propagation parameters (e.g., RSS) used to provide location information for device 111. This information is then coupled to the baseband module 305 and decoded to determine location information.

LO307 provides a local oscillator signal for use by transmitter 301 for frequency up-conversion and receiver 302 for frequency down-conversion. In some embodiments, separate local oscillators may be used for transmitter 301 and receiver 302. Although various local oscillator circuits may be used, in some embodiments, a PLL is used to phase lock the local oscillator to output a frequency stabilized local oscillator signal based on a selected frequency.

It is noted that in one embodiment, baseband module 305, local oscillator 307, transmitter 301, and receiver 302 are integrated onto the same IC chip. In other embodiments, one or more of these components may be on separate IC chips. Similarly, the other components shown in fig. 5 are incorporated on the same IC chip as baseband module 305, local oscillator 307, transmitter 301, and receiver 302. In some embodiments, antenna 304 may also be bonded to the same IC chip. Furthermore, with the advent of SOC integration, a host device, such as host unit 310, an application processor, and/or a user interface may be integrated on the same IC chip as baseband module 305, transmitter 301, and receiver 302.

Further, although only one transmitter 301 and one receiver 302 are shown, it should be noted that multiple transmitting elements and multiple receiving elements, as well as multiple local oscillators, may be utilized in other embodiments. For example, multiple-input and/or multiple-output communications, such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, may utilize multiple transmitters 301 and/or multiple receivers 302 as part of a radio frequency front end. Further, the aforementioned database for storing propagation patterns to cross-reference a specific site is held in the database 311. Database 311 is shown as part of host 310, but in other embodiments database 311 may be maintained elsewhere. If the AP provides location assistance information, the database 311 will not be needed and not be configured in some embodiments.

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention for providing a WLAN based positioning system. In fig. 6, a boundary 410 encloses an area similar to the area enclosed by the boundary 110 in fig. 3. Instead of only a single AP running, multiple APs are applied in boundary 410. The example embodiment of fig. 6 shows two APs 400 and 420, but in other systems more APs may be used. AP400 and AP 420 each operate as AP100 in fig. 3, generating multiple directional WLAN beacons in different directions, where each directional beacon carries a unique SSID and/or MAC address. In addition, three beacons are shown for each AP (beacon 401 of AP400 and beacon 421 of AP 420 and 423), but in other embodiments there may be more beacons. At least two directional beacons are generated from AP400 and AP 420, respectively. Multiple APs are suitable where one AP cannot provide sufficient coverage for the entire area. For example, in a large warehouse, an indoor or outdoor stadium, or even an urban (e.g., city) location, one AP may not be able to cover the entire area that is desired to be covered. Therefore, a plurality of APs need to be used.

Beacons from multiple APs are to be considered when mapping the propagation coverage of the beacon at various locations to one-to-one map the propagation domain to the location. Similarly, when the receiving apparatus is at a certain location, beacons from a plurality of APs must be considered. Thus, for example, receiving device 411 may be located at a location where only one or more beacons from AP400 are encountered, but receiving device 431 may be located at a location where coverage is obtained from received beacons from multiple APs. Multiple beacons do complicate the reception and analysis of propagation patterns, but can cover a wider border area.

As such, a WLAN-based positioning system is described herein. By utilizing directional beacons, each with a unique SSID and/or MAC address, a single access point device can effectively provide location information for a mobile device as if there were multiple access point devices.

As may be used herein, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" provide industry-accepted tolerances for relationships between their corresponding terms and/or items. Such industry-accepted tolerances range from less than one percent to fifty percent. Such relationships between items range from subtle differences to more dramatic differences. As also used herein, the terms "coupled" and/or "coupling" include direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items through intermediate items (e.g., items including, but not limited to, components, elements, circuits, and/or modules). Here, the intermediate item does not modify the signal information, but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As also may be used herein, implicit coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes coupling, directly or indirectly, between two items in the same manner as "coupled". As also used herein, the term "operable" indicates that the item includes one or more power connections, inputs, outputs, etc. to perform one or more corresponding functions, and may further include implicit coupling to one or more other items.

Embodiments of the invention are described above with the aid of functional components showing the manifestation of certain functions. The boundaries of these functional elements have been arbitrarily defined for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries may be defined so long as certain functions are appropriately performed. One of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the functional components, as well as other exemplary components, modules, and assemblies herein can be implemented as shown, as discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software, etc., or any combination thereof.

Claims (10)

1. A method, comprising:

generating a plurality of beacons from a single access point device over a period of time, wherein each beacon of the plurality of beacons has a unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons;

transmitting each beacon from a single access point device in a different direction than the other beacons;

receiving the transmitted at least one beacon at the mobile receiving device;

determining a received signal parameter from the received at least one beacon; and

determining a location of the mobile receiving device using the received signal parameters.

2. A method, comprising:

generating a plurality of beacons from a single access point device over a period of time, wherein each beacon of the plurality of beacons has a unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons; and

each beacon is transmitted from a single access point device in a different direction than the other beacons, such that when a mobile receiving device receives the transmitted at least one beacon, the mobile receiving device determines received signal parameters from the received at least one beacon and uses the received signal parameters to determine the location of the mobile receiving device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the received signal parameters comprise a received signal strength of at least one received beacon.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting a beacon using a wireless local access network protocol.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting each beacon is transmitting each beacon using an 802.11 protocol.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the unique identifier is at least one of a service group identification and a media access control address.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising: generating a second plurality of beacons from a second access point device, wherein each beacon of the second plurality of beacons also has a unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons; and transmitting each beacon of the second plurality of beacons of the second access point device in a different direction than other beacons of the second access point device, such that when the mobile receiving device receives at least one beacon transmitted by the second access point device, the mobile receiving device determines the received signal parameters based on beacons received from both access point devices and determines the location of the mobile receiving device using the received signal parameters from both access point devices.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a baseband module of the access point device generating a plurality of unique identifiers such that each beacon of the plurality of beacons is assigned a different unique identifier to distinguish each beacon from other beacons;

a transmitter of an access point device coupled to the baseband module to receive the unique identifier and generate a beacon at a radio frequency; and

a directional antenna of an access point device coupled to the transmitter to transmit each beacon in a different direction than the other beacons such that when a mobile receiving device receives the transmitted at least one beacon, the mobile receiving device determines received signal parameters from the received at least one beacon and uses the received signal parameters to determine a location of the mobile receiving device.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the received signal parameters comprise a received signal strength of at least one received beacon.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of beacons provide a propagation pattern that covers an area defined by a boundary.