Individual-Source Resonant-Beam-Enabled 3-D Positioning for IoT Scenarios

In the rapidly evolving field of the Internet of Things (IoT), simplifying infrastructure and deployment is highly competitive. This study introduces a novel approach using an individual-source resonant beam (RB) for passive 3-D positioning in IoT scenarios, excelling in efficient system design and signal utilization. The proposed solution simultaneously exploits the frequency structure and spatial distribution of RB to estimate position parameters, facilitating a compact design for both the base station (BS) and the mobile target (MT). The BS incorporates an individual-source RB transmitter, while the MT is equipped with a passive (electricity-free) reflector. Specifically, for extracting the distance information from RB, we develop theoretical models to illustrate the frequency attributes and associated structural variations of RB due to MT’s movement. Regarding angle estimation, we deduce the relationship between the RB field distribution and incident angles. We also conduct simulations to validate the entire positioning process. The results indicate the positioning accuracy can reach approximately 2 cm over a distance from 1.7 to 2.5 m. This technique sets a new benchmark for precise and efficient 3-D positioning, making it suitable for various IoT scenarios, such as smart homes, industrial automation, and asset tracking.