Terminology

I am new to the Real-Time Location System. do you have a list of basic terminology?

• Anchor - AN (Anchor Node) - Infrastructure node with fixed location - reference node capable of measuring location data, data offload and routing.

  • An Anchor can have Bridge function enabled - it functions as a bridge between UWB and other interfaces, such as Ethernet, SPI or USB.

• LE - Location engine - An algorithm for position estimation using measured values. There are two major groups used

• Trilateration - Location engine which uses distance between nodes to estimate the position, especially when TWR is used.

• Multilateration - Location engine which uses time difference between nodes to estimate the position, especially when TDOA is used.

• Navigation mode - navigation is when the location data are collected on the module. In LEAPS, the location is calculated on the module, and the data are available via on-module API. This approach provides very low latency, reduces infrastructure costs, and significantly simplifies deployment. Typical applications are e.g. navigation of drones, robots, tools, vehicles and portable devices.

• Node - A network device capable of communicating with other devices (Anchor, Tag, ect.).

• Tag - TN (Tag Node) - Mobile node with moving location - It uses Anchors to measure, locate its position and exchange data at a specified update rate.

• TDOA - Time Difference of Arrival - It is a measurement technique where the difference in time is measured between nodes at known fixed locations. The result of the measurement is time difference. The nodes at a known fixed location typically need to be synchronized.

• Tracking mode - tracking is when the location and telemetry data are collected on a centralized server. The data are available via LEAPS Server API. This mode is suitable for monitoring and processing data in a single place, typically on a server. Typical applications are e.g. asset tracking, zone violation detection, aathletes’ performance monitoring and personnel tracking.

• TWR - Two-way Ranging - Is a group of measurement techniques where the range between two nodes is estimated by exchanging messages both way. The result of the measurement is distance. The nodes do not need to be synchronized.

• UWB - Ultra-wideband - Is a radio technology that can use a very low energy level for short-range, high-bandwidth communications over a large portion of the radio spectrum. In comparison to other technology like Bluetooth, WIFI or GPS, it is very immune to multipath fading. hence, this makes it suitable for accurate positioning, especially indoors.