Antenna cluster selection for localization-communication dual mode operation

The Non Line-of-Sight (NLoS) issue is considered as a key challenge to mature indoor localization technologies. Using Time of Arrival (TOA) on Ultra-wideband (UWB) signal is able to provide fine localization accuracy if NLoS-biased anchor nodes can be identified. In this paper, an antenna cluster selection scheme is proposed to identify the NLoS-biased node, therefore improve the localization accuracy and provide location-aware communication service. In particular, the area of interest with NLoS human body blockage is divided into multiple convex hull based effective localization areas (ELAs). Four antennas, from a distributed antenna system, are deployed in each ELA, where the most severely NLoS-biased antenna is identified and discarded, two other antennas are selected to execute a 2-dimension (2D) indoor localization. The remaining antenna uses this location information to provide location-aware communication service. Performance is evaluated using a channel sounder's measurement data and a simulator, benchmarked to the traditional parametric identification method.