EP4073537A1 - Mobile equipment producing a connection quality mapping - Google Patents

Abstract

Mobile equipment (10) comprising: - a geolocation device (19) designed to determine a current position of the mobile equipment (10) in a space to be mapped; - a communication device (14) designed to communicate with access points of a local network implemented in the space to be mapped; - a control component (11) designed: - to selectively and independently control each access point, via the communication device, so that said access point transmits a reference signal; - in order to evaluate, based on the signals received by the communication device, a connection quality, in the current position, between the mobile equipment (10) and each of the access points.

Description

Mobile equipment carrying out connection quality mapping

DESCRIPTION

1 / invention relates to the field of local networks implemented by a plurality of access points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A distributed Wi-Fi system is used to implement a mesh local area network that has extensive coverage.

Such a distributed Wi-Fi system comprises a plurality of nodes which communicate with each other via a so-called “backhaul” link which uses, for example, a Wi-Fi radio link or a wired Ethernet link.

The backhaul link allows nodes to exchange commands, in particular for management, through a communication bus. The backhaul link also serves as a support for the various data flows between the nodes and the network.

Each of the nodes includes at least one so-called “fronthaul” Wi-Fi access point allowing external equipment to communicate with the network. One of the nodes of the distributed Wi-Fi system carries a “master” functionality. The master node is responsible for managing the distributed Wi-Fi system, including its architecture, and forcing each external device connected to the local network to communicate with one of the fronthaul access points of one of the nodes according to local characteristics of the propagation of Wi-Fi signals.

The positions of the nodes and the characteristics of the transmission of Wi-Fi signals are not always optimally defined in relation to the space that the network must cover. In particular, if the access points are arbitrarily positioned in a dwelling by a user novice in the matter, the coverage of the network is not optimized.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to optimize the coverage of a local network comprising a plurality of access points.

DISCLAIMER OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving this goal, mobile equipment is proposed comprising: a geolocation device arranged to determine a current position of the mobile equipment in a space to be mapped; a communication device arranged to communicate with access points of a local network implemented in the space to be mapped; a control component arranged: to selectively and independently control each access point, via the communication device, so that said access point transmits a reference signal; o to evaluate, from the reference signals received by the communication device, a connection quality in the current position between the mobile equipment and each of the access points.

The mobile equipment can therefore individually and successively control each access point so that said access point transmits a reference signal. The mobile equipment acquires the reference signals transmitted by all the access points, and evaluates the connection quality in the current position. By moving the mobile element in the space to be mapped, we can quantify the propagation of the radio signals produced individually by the access points, and we obtain a complete mapping and precise of the connection quality. Mapping can be used to configure network access points so that the area to be mapped is covered as efficiently as possible. Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the geolocation device is arranged to implement a method for measuring time of flight.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the time-of-flight measurement method uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, the geolocation device comprising a UWB communication component and a UWB antenna arranged to cooperate with UWB anchors located in the access points.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the connection quality is evaluated from a power level and / or from a binary rate of each reference signal received by the communication device.

We also propose a mobile device such as that which has just been described, in which the space to be mapped is partitioned according to unitary spatial zones, and in which the control component is arranged to associate the current position and the connection qualities. evaluated in the current position at one of the unitary spatial zones in which the current position is located.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which each unitary spatial zone is a unitary volume.

We also offer mobile equipment such as the one that has just been described, in which the control component is arranged to control the power with which each access point transmits the reference signal.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the control component is arranged to select a communication channel on which each access point transmits the reference signal.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the control component is arranged to evaluate, for each access point, a signal strength transmitted by said access point and received by the device. communication, and to control the transmission of the reference signals by each of the access points successively in an order corresponding to a decreasing signal strength.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the control component is also arranged to interrogate each access point so that said access point transmits a power level to the mobile equipment. signal received by said access point.

Mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is also proposed, in which the control component is also arranged to interrogate each access point so that said access point transmits functional characteristics of said access point to the mobile equipment. access point.

In addition, mobile equipment such as that which has just been described is proposed, the mobile equipment being a smartphone.

We also propose a method of mapping a space to be mapped, comprising the steps of: - acquire the current position of the mobile equipment as described above;

- selectively and independently control each access point so that said access point transmits a reference signal; for each access point, evaluating a connection quality, in the current position, between the mobile equipment and said access point;

- create a current record comprising the connection qualities associated with the current position;

- store the current record in a database.

A mapping method as described above is also proposed, in which the space to be mapped is partitioned into a plurality of unit spatial zones, the mapping method further comprising the step of defining a current unit spatial zone in which is located at the current position, and to associate the current record with the current unit spatial zone. A mapping method as described above is also proposed, in which, for each access point, the connection qualities are evaluated for a plurality of transmission configurations of said access point.

A mapping method as described above is also proposed, in which the database also includes functional characteristics of the access points.

A mapping method as described above is also proposed, in which the database also includes time-stamped positioning data of the mobile equipment.

A mapping method such as described above, further comprising the step of producing a map showing the areas covered and the areas not yet covered by the method of mapping the space to be mapped. A computer program is also proposed comprising instructions which lead the above mobile equipment to execute the steps of the mapping method which has just been described.

Further provided is a computer readable recording medium, on which the above computer program is recorded.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[Fig. 1] FIG. 1 schematically represents mobile equipment according to the invention and access points; [Fig. 2] FIG. 2 represents an example of mapping; [Fig. 3] FIG. 3 represents a smartphone according to the invention;

[Fig. 4] Figure 4 shows an access point;

[Fig. 5] FIG. 5 represents the implementation of the UWB geolocation;

[Fig. 6] FIG. 6 represents steps of a method for selecting an access point by the smartphone;

[Fig. 7] FIG. 7 represents the steps of a method for collecting by the smartphone functional characteristics of an access point;

[Fig. 8] Figure 8 shows unit volumes of a partitioned map space; [Fig. 9] FIG. 9 represents the steps of a method for scanning by the smartphone of the transmission configurations of the access points;

[Fig. 10] FIG. 10 represents steps of a method for managing records;

[Fig. 11] Figure 11 shows a map obtained by the mapping process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A distributed Wi-Fi system, comprising a plurality of access points for implementing a local area network, is installed in a dwelling.

The object of the invention is to produce a map of the connection quality, in the home, with the various access points. With reference to FIG. 1, mobile equipment 1 is used for this, which comprises a geolocation device 2, a communication device 3 and a control component 4.

The mobile equipment 1 is moved, either by a user or automatically.

At regular intervals, the geolocation device 2 of the mobile equipment 1 determines the current position of the mobile equipment 1 in the home. The communication device 3 is arranged to communicate with the access points 5.

The control component 4 selectively and independently controls each access point 5, via the communication device 3, so that said access point 5 transmits a reference signal. The communication device 3 receives the reference signals. The control component 4 evaluates, from the received reference signals by the communication device 3, a quality of connection, in the current position, between the mobile equipment 1 and each of the access points 5.

By moving the mobile equipment 1 throughout the home, a mapping of the quality of the connection with the access points 5 is obtained.

This mapping is for example similar to that of FIG. 2, which is a two-dimensional mapping carried out in a dwelling 7 using mobile equipment 8.

The mobile element used is for example a smartphone.

Referring to Figure 3, the smartphone 10 firstly comprises a control component. The control component is a central processor 11 which is controlled by an operating system 12.

The central processor 11 is suitable for executing instructions from an application 13 to implement the mapping method which will be described.

The smartphone 10 further comprises a communication device, which is a Wi-Fi communication interface 14 (native) comprising a Wi-Fi communication component 15, a first antenna 16 and a second antenna 17. The Wi-Fi communication component. Fi 15 comprises a 2.4 GHz channel connected to the first antenna 16 and a 5 GHz channel connected to the second antenna 17.

The central processor 11 controls the access points via the Wi-Fi communication interface 14 so that they transmit reference Wi-Fi signals. The Wi-Fi communication interface 14 acquires the reference Wi-Fi signals emitted by the access points. The central processor 11 evaluates the connection qualities from the signals Wi- Reference Fi received by the Wi-Fi communication interface 14.

The smartphone 10 further comprises a geolocation device 19. The geolocation device 19 is designed to implement a method for measuring time of flight. Here, the time-of-flight measurement method uses ultra-wideband (or UWB, for Ultra WideBand) technology.

The geolocation device 19 is here natively embedded in the smartphone 10. The geolocation device 19 comprises a communication component 20, an antenna 21 and a microcontroller 22. The microcontroller 22 is connected to the central processor 11 via a wired interface (for example I2C, serial, etc.) or wireless (eg Bluetooth).

Alternatively, the geolocation device could include a UWB tag. The UWB tag would then be positioned as close as possible to the smartphone, or even integrated into the smartphone. Referring to Figure 4, each access point 25 includes a central processor 26 which is controlled by an operating system 27.

The access point 25 further comprises a Wi-Fi communication interface 28 comprising a Wi-Fi communication component 29, a first antenna 30 and a second antenna 31. The Wi-Fi communication component 29 comprises a 2.4-way channel. GHz connected to the first antenna 30 and a 5 GHz channel connected to the second antenna 31.

The access point 25 further comprises a geolocation device 33. The geolocation device 33 comprises a UWB communication component 34, a UWB antenna 35 and a microcontroller 36. The microcontroller 36 is connected to the central processor 26 via a serial link. The microcontroller 36 dialogues with the UWB communication component 34 and supplies the central processor 26 with location information. The operating system 27 makes it possible to manage this location information.

The central processor 26 is suitable for executing software instructions 37 for implementing the geolocation of the smartphone 10.

The operating system 27 makes the positioning information available for example via a software interface or an API (for Application Programming Interface). Positioning information is retrieved and then processed by an application.

Each access point 25 is registered at the time of installation with a unique number, for example its MC address (for Media Access Control).

The operation of geolocation is now described in more detail.

As we have seen, geolocation is UWB geolocation.

The geolocation devices 33 of the access points 25 form UWB anchors.

It can therefore be seen that here, the UWB anchors are integrated into the access points 25. This is not compulsory, the UWB anchors could perfectly well be distinct from the access points 25 and, in particular, be positioned at locations different.

Geolocation is based on a trilateration performed from measurements of distances between different elements. The distance between the elements taken two by two is obtained by measuring the time of flight of a broadband impulse radioelectric signal which has the property of traveling in a straight line and of crossing the obstacles of an environment encountered in a dwelling. , or, more generally, in any building.

With reference to FIG. 5, using an established network of fixed points (the UWB anchors A1, A2, A3) forming a reference mark, the relative positions of which are evaluated by the system from the distances separating them (distances D1, D2 & D3), the smartphone 10 is precisely located in absolute position with respect to the reference mark.

The position of the smartphone 10 is at the intersection of the spheres centered on each UWB anchor. The radius of a sphere centered on a UWB anchor corresponds to the distance, calculated from the time of flight of the UWB signal, between the smartphone 10 and said UWB anchor.

Here, with a network of 3 anchors, we calculate the estimated distances of the smartphone 10 with respect to the different anchors, that is to say dl, d2, d3.

We now illustrate the acquisition of geolocation data using an example of component selection.

For example, the DECAWAVE MDEK1001 localization solution is used. The UWB 20 communication component of the smartphone 10 is the DECAWAVE DW1000 component. The microcontroller 22 of the smartphone 10 is the NORDIC microcontroller containing DECAWAVE firmware making it possible to use the UWB 20 communication component. The two components communicate with each other via a serial link.

The UWB communication component is in charge of forming and transmitting the signals of the pulses radiofrequencies defined by the NORDIC microcontroller, and to receive and decode the radiofrequency pulses received in order to extract the useful data and transmit them to the NORDIC microcontroller. The NORDIC microcontroller is in charge of configuring and operating the UWB communication component to generate bursts, and decoding the bursts in return, thus making it possible to calculate, from the round trip time of flight, the distance between the devices. . It is therefore able to directly obtain the distances separating the UWB communication component from the other devices, but also to obtain from the other devices the additional information on the respective distances of the other devices between them. Based on knowledge of the different distances, he is in charge of evaluating the geographical position of each device in relation to a network of reference anchors. For this it implements a trilateration process.

The NORDIC microcontroller is also responsible for communicating with the central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 via a serial port mounted through a USB link, or directly through a serial link, or even through a Bluetooth link. It is thus able to receive commands to perform specific actions, and to transmit responses to the central processor 11.

The NORDIC microcontroller offers a certain number of commands which make it possible to trigger a certain number of actions, and to obtain a certain number of actions in return. It is also possible to add commands to existing ones, because the development environment is open, and the source code fully documented. In its default operating mode, the NORDIC microcontroller periodically transmits on the serial link carried by the USB link a report of the state of the system in the form of character strings. An example of a character string corresponding to the location is as follows:

{"Timestamp": 1569763879.354127, "x": 2.168, "y": 0.62844,

'type': 'tag'}

{'timestamp': 1569763879.937741, 'type': 'anchor', 'c': 0.0, 'y': 0.0}

{'timestamp': 1569763879.9407377, 'type': 'anchor', 'dist': 3.287105, 'x': 3.5, 'y': 0.0}

{'timestamp': 1569763879.943739, 'type': 'anchor', 'dist': 9.489347, 'c': 3.5, 'y': 9.0}

These data are easily decomposable. Each line corresponds to one of the equipment of the system (access point 25 or smartphone 10), and we easily detect the following fields associated with a value:

- timestamp: date of transmission of the report by the geolocation device of the smartphone 10;

- x and y: coordinates in meters of the equipment with respect to the reference frame formed by the anchors. The coordinates of the anchors are returned with a precision rounded to the nearest 0.5m;

- type: type of device: tag = smartphone, anchor = UWB anchor;

- dist: distance in meters between the smartphone 10 and the UWB anchor, reference point of the system. This information does not exist for the reference anchor

We therefore have four devices in this example.

The smartphone 10 is located at the coordinates x = 2.168 m; y = 0.628 m. The reference anchor is located at coordinates x = 0m; y = 0m.

An anchor is located at coordinates x = 3.5 m; y = 0 m, at a distance of 3.287 m from the reference anchor.

An anchor is located at coordinates x = 3.5 m; y = 9.0 m, at a distance of 9.489 m from the reference anchor.

This information is supplied via the USB link to the operating system 12 of the central processor 11 of the smartphone 10. It is easy for the software embedded in the central processor 11 to collect this information and to process it.

The previous example shows a geolocation in a plan. It is also possible to obtain geolocation in a three-dimensional space when at least four anchors are deployed in a space and not in a plane.

We now describe the way in which the control component of the smartphone 10, that is to say the central processor 11, controls the access points.

As we have seen, the Wi-Fi interface 14 acquires the reference signals emitted by the access points 25, which makes it possible to evaluate the quality of connection, in the current position of the smartphone 10, between the smartphone 10 and each access point 25.

However, in its normal operating mode, the smartphone 10 is by default in communication with the best access point 25 chosen by the distributed Wi-Fi system. Radio quality measurements therefore do not make it possible to characterize, for example, the actual coverage of a particular access point.

The central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 therefore communicates with the access points 25 and selectively controls them. and independently so that the access points 25, in turn, transmit the reference Wi-Fi signal.

With reference to FIG. 6, the smartphone 10 sends for this purpose an access point selection message to the master access point 25a (step E1), for example via the bus of the backhaul link carried by its Wi- link. Fi with the current access point and relayed by the backhaul.

The master access point 25a then implements its mechanisms for active management of the access points to activate the selected access point 25b (step E2), for example by implementing "white-list / black" management. -list ”, or by forcing an access point jump, or by using any other process at its disposal. The selected access point 25b transmits an acknowledgment message to the master access point 25a (step E3) which transmits it to the smartphone 10

(step E4).

Here, and in a nonlimiting manner, the selection of the access points by the smartphone 10 is carried out as follows. The central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 evaluates, for each access point, a signal strength transmitted by said access point and received by the communication device of the smartphone 10, and controls the transmission of the reference signals by each of the access points 25 successively in an order corresponding to a decreasing signal strength.

Concretely, the application 13 of the smartphone 10 is connected by default to the best access point defined by the master access point via a conventional roaming method.

Once the measurement has been carried out with the best access point, the central processor 11 requests to switch to the second best access point choice provided by the master access point, and so on until the last accessible access point.

The central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 can also define the characteristics of the reference Wi-Fi signals.

The central processor 11 can for example define the power with which each access point 25 transmits the reference Wi-Fi signal. It is thus possible to control an access point 25 in particular so that the latter transmits a beacon signal using a specific power different from the natural power, for example less than 6 dB.

A specific command is then sent to the master access point by the smartphone 10 via the backhaul link. This command is interpreted and then translated on the access point considered by a low level command sent to the radio interface. For example, the command: wl pwr_percent 50 instructs the access point to reduce its transmit power by 6 dB.

This specificity makes it possible, from the smartphone 10, to carry out in a given location various reception level measurements, and thus to refine a measurement in which the signal received at the normal power of the access point would be saturated due to proximity to it.

The central processor 11 is also arranged to select a communication channel on which each access point 25 transmits the reference Wi-Fi signal. It is therefore possible to envisage controlling a particular access point so that it implements a transmission channel other than the channel for which it was initially configured. A specific command is then sent to the master access point by the smartphone 10 via the backhaul link. This command will be interpreted and translated by the access point in question, by a low level command sent to the radio interface. For example, the command: iwconfig channel 6 instructs the Qualcomm-type access point to select channel 6 to communicate.

All of these commands can be executed by temporarily forcing the selected access point to use the requested characteristics in its normal SSID (SSID for Service Set Identifier). They can also be executed by adding on the access point a beacon specific to the requested measurement (predefined SSID for example) which will have the requested characteristics (channel, power, etc.) thus avoiding disrupting the native operation of the system.

This specificity will make it possible, from the smartphone 10, to carry out in a given location different coverage measurements for different working frequencies.

We now describe how the smartphone evaluates the quality of connection with the access points.

As we have seen, for each access point, the central processor 11 evaluates the connection qualities from the reference Wi-Fi signals received.

Connection quality can be assessed by measuring one or more parameters: received signal level, for example RSSI level (for Received Signai Strength

Indication) associated with a transmission frequency or channel, bit rate, etc.

The smartphone's Wi-Fi communication interface uses, for example, the iwconfig command on Linux, which returns the received signal level or RSSI with frequency (like the example below). wlp3s0 IEEE 802.11 ESSID: "boxcom"

Mode: Managed Frequency: 5.5 GHz Access Point: 2C: 39: 96: FF: A2: F5

Bit Rate = 135 Mb / s Tx-Power = 15 dBm

Retry short limit: 7 RTS thr: off Fragment thr: off Power Management: on

Link Quality = 45/70 Signal level = -65 dBm Rx invalid nwid: 0 Rx invalid crypt: 0 Rx invalid frag: 0

Excessive tx retries: 0 Invalid bet: 106 Missed beacon: 0

We have in the trace of this Wi-Fi command the reference Wi-Fi signal level at -65 dBm.

It is this indication that will serve as an indication for the Wi-Fi mapping.

Other information can be collected (latency / ping time, etc.) through a communication established with the selected access point using for example a file exchange with the access point 25 to measure the bidirectional flow between the smartphone 10 and said access point.

The central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 can also interrogate each access point 25 so that said access point transmits to the smartphone 10 a level of Wi-Fi signal strength received by said access point.

With reference to FIG. 7, a specific command is sent by the smartphone 10 to the master access point 25a via the backhaul link (step E10). This command is transferred to the interrogated access point 25c via a low level command sent to the Wi-Fi interface of the interrogated access point 25c (step Eli). The access point queried 25c transmits the RSSI to the master access point 25a (step E12) which transmits it to the smartphone 10 (step E13).

For example, the command: wl rssl 90: 4d: 4a: cc: 6b: 8e allows to obtain the reception conditions of the access point queried whose MAC address is: 90: 4d: 4a: cc: 6b: 8th.

It is also possible to collect information relating to the level of signal power received by an access point 25 in particular without the communication being established with the latter.

For example under Windows, the command: netsh wlan show ail provides a report of reception of the signals of all the access points in the vicinity without establishing a communication with them. The information is taken from the reception of the beacon signals transmitted by these access points.

The following example shows the return for an environment with a single access point:

SSID 22: WlFl-2.4-6B90

Network type Infrastructure WPA2 authentication - Personal CCMP encryption BSSID 1 90 4d: 4a: cc: 6b: 96

Signal 71%

Radio type 802.11h Channel 6

Base rate (Mbits / s): 12 5.5 11 Other rates (Mbits / s): 69 12 18 24 36 48 54 The measurements made by the smartphone 10 are used to create a database. This database can be stored in the smartphone 10, in one of the points access 25 of the distributed Wi-Fi system, or in a remote server. The database could also be distributed among these devices, or even include a buffer zone in the smartphone 10 to guarantee rapid access to the recordings.

The results of the measurements are therefore stored in a first table, called the “measurement table”, of this database, which can be used during post-processing, for example with a view to optimizing the position of points d. access, or power modulation of access points, or for any other use.

The space to be mapped is partitioned into unit spatial areas, which can be unit areas or unit volumes, positioned relative to a reference frame.

The central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 associates the current position and the connection qualities evaluated in the current position with one of the unit spatial zones in which the current position is located. Thus, in the table of measurements, each recording made when the smartphone 10 is in a current position corresponds to a unitary spatial zone defined around a point in space identified by its coordinates.

For example, with reference to figure 8, a volume of 15 mx 15 m comprising 3 floors of 2.5 m in height, covering the dwelling, can be broken down into a set of 50 x 50 x 3 = 7500 parallelepipeds of 0, 3 mx 0.3 mx 2.5 m each surrounding a point in space separated from its neighboring points by 30 cm on the horizontal plane, and 2.5 m on the vertical plane. These unit volumes correspond to as many records in the database measurements table. Thus, a record of the table of measurements corresponding to the cell whose central point is located at the coordinates x = 0.0m, y = 0.0m, z = 0.0m would cover all the possible positions of an object whose real coordinates would be in a space of +/- 15 cm on either side of this central point on the x axis and on the y axis, and of +/- 1.25 m on the z axis.

The records in the database measurement table are created as the smartphone 10 moves, thus enriching the cartographic data.

Each record contains, for example, the following fields:

- the position of the central point of the unitary spatial zone with respect to the frame of reference, for the current position in which the recording was made;

- identification of the current access point assigned to the smartphone by the manager of the distributed Wi-Fi network;

an identification of the access point used for a first measurement, for example its MAC address; a sub-field identifying a channel used by this first access point; a sub-field identifying a power implemented by this first access point; a sub-field containing a value representing a qualitative value of the link with this first access point on this first channel resulting from the use of this first power; o a sub-field containing a timestamp of the last measurement carried out under these conditions;

- identification of the access point used for a second measurement, etc. An example of the contents of the smartphone measurement table could be:

0.0, 1.0, 0.0

C4-85-08-B2-36-03 C4-85-08-B2-36-03; 06; 20dBm; -65dBm; 2019/10/21

12: 53: 00.554

C4-85-08-B2-36-05; 01; 14dBm; -55dBm; 2019/10/17

06: 52: 45.35

0.0, 1.3 _r 0.0

C4-85-08-B2-36-03

C4-85-08-B2-36-03; 06; 20dBm; -55dBm; 2019/10/21

12: 53: 27.002

C4-85-08-B2-36-05; 01; 14dBm; -65dBm; 2019/10/17

06: 52: 45.35

A second database table contains functional characteristics of the different UWB anchors.

The second table is completed, for example, depending on the discovery of the new UWB anchors by the smartphone 10 when it is moved into the home.

The second table here contains a record for each of the system's UWB anchors, each record containing for example:

- a first field showing the name of the UWB anchor,

- a second field showing the x, y, z coordinates of the UWB anchor in the frame of reference.

Advantageously, additional information showing the capabilities of the nodes in which the UWB anchors are located will be collected by the central processor 11 of the smartphone 10 through specific commands placed via the backhaul. These capabilities will be exploited by the system to decline all the possible variants of measurements of radio propagation conditions. a third field showing a first capability of the access point on which the anchor is located, for example the availability of the 2.4 GHz mode; o a sub-field can be used to show the identification of the 2.4GHz access point, for example its MAC address; o a subfield can be used to show the ability of the 2.4GHz mode to handle different channels; o a subfield can be used to show the capacity of the 2.4GHz mode to handle different powers;

a fourth field showing a second capability of the Wi-Fi access point, for example the availability of 5GHz mode; o a sub-field can be used to show the identification of the 5GHz access point, for example its MAC address; o a subfield can be used to show the ability of 5GHz mode to manage different channels; o a subfield can be used to show the ability of 5GHz mode to handle different power.

An example of the contents of the second table could be:

Anchor_l x = 0.0 y = 0.0 z = 0.0

AP_2.4_enable = true; "C4-85-08-B2-36-03";

"1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13"; "20.0,14.0,8.0"

AP_5_enable = true; "C4-85-08-B2-37-04"; "36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64"; "20.0"

Anchor 2 x 3.5 y = 0.0 z = 0.0

AP_2.4_enable = true; "C4-85-08-B2-36-04";

"1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13"; "20.0,14.0,8.0" AP_5_enable = true; "C4-85-08-B2-37-05";

"36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64"; "20.0"

Anchor_3 x = 3.5 y = 9.0 z = 0.0

AP_2.4_enable = true; "C4-85-08-B2-36-05";

"1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13"; "20.0,14.0,8.0"

AP_5_enable = true; "C4-85-08-B2-37-06";

"36,40,44,48,52,56,60,64"; "20.0,14.0" The database also includes a third table.

The third table contains information relating to the movements of the smartphone 10 and can be used to supplement mapping information, for example to highlight a thin obstacle, such as a partition, which would have very little influence on the radio propagation measurements, and which would be too thin to completely prevent access to a complete unit space area.

An exploitation of the route of the smartphone 10 could thus show that the smartphone 10 has never been moved directly from one unitary spatial zone to another yet adjacent, thus showing the presence of a potential very small obstacle preventing the route.

For this, the third table can include a series of records containing the coordinates of the unit spatial areas traversed associated with the timestamp of the entry or exit of the unit spatial area. The implementation of the housing mapping method will now be described in more detail.

The smartphone 10, associated with the network of access points 25, executes the software implementing the mapping method.

The application 13 can be started or paused via an action on a button, for example in a menu.

As soon as it is being executed, the application 13 collects at regular intervals, for example every second, its position relative to the reference system formed by the UWB anchors.

By using the database as described above, the application 13 will perform the following operations: determine in the table of measurements the record corresponding to the present position of the smartphone 10.

For this, the application calculates the coordinates of the central point of the unitary spatial zone corresponding to its position provided by the geolocation device by rounding its own x & y coordinates to the nearest multiple corresponding to the graininess of the database. The application selects this record as the current record.

For example, in the example chosen, the granulosity of the database being 0.3 m on the x and y axes, and the real coordinates of the smartphone being x = 2.168 m; y = 0.62844 m, the database record corresponding to the coordinates x = 2.1m; y = 0.6m is the one whose central point is closest to the real position of the smartphone, and will therefore be selected as the current record. If this record does not exist in the database, it is added using the classic commands for adding a record to a database.

- retrieve the selected record from the database, and extract the different fields corresponding to the different measurements.

- as long as the collection of the positioning of the smartphone 10 does not lead to the selection of another recording, that is to say as long as the smartphone 10 has not changed the unitary spatial zone, it is possible to evaluate the different conditions of use of the access points of the distributed Wi-Fi system, and thus enrich the current record of the database.

The following sequence can therefore be implemented one or more times:

- evaluate the quality of connection with the current access point.

Thus, in the example seen earlier, the smartphone 10 receives from the access point a signal level equal to -65 dBm (Signal level = -65 dBm) coming from the access point

2C: 39: 96: FF: A2: F5, while it transmits its signal on channel 100 (Frequency: 5.5 GHz) with a power of

15 dBm (Tx-Power = 15 dBm).

This information is saved in the database.

Additional information can also be stored, such as the quality of the link (Link Quality = 5/10) or the modulation used (Bit Rate = 135 Mb / s). - these measurements will be enhanced, as far as possible, depending on the speed of movement of the smartphone user. In particular, the measurements of the signals transmitted by default by the other access points of the system can be collected.

For this, the mechanisms for measuring other radio conditions (signal received from other access points, signal seen by the access point) can be implemented, and the results can supplement current measurements.

Likewise, the access point control mechanisms 25 as previously described could be implemented based on the records of the second table (of the anchors) to scan each of the channel, radio interface and table configurations. power, and thus complete the current measurements with as many values corresponding to the different measurement configurations. Each measurement corresponding to a particular condition of the access point and of the smartphone 10 will be considered as a field of the current record of the table of measurements of the smartphone 10.

Thus, it will be possible by a posteriori use of the smartphone's measurement table to show the propagation conditions of a radio signal for a particular access point, channel and power condition.

The mapping can therefore be considered as “multilayer”. Each layer corresponds to a measurement condition.

FIG. 9 shows the steps of a method of scanning all the possible configurations to establish the measurements corresponding to each of the configurations. The measurements are first of all carried out in a default configuration (step E20). The variable i is initialized to 1 (step E21): i = 1.

Measurements M (i) corresponding to this first configuration are carried out. The results are stored in the database (step E22) It is checked whether another configuration is available

(step E23).

If this is not the case, the scanning method returns to step E20.

If this is the case, the variable i is incremented by one unit: i = i + 1 (step E24).

The smartphone 10 configures the access point 25 to force a new measurement configuration (step E25).

The scanning method then returns to step E22. It is noted that the different possible iterations of each measurement corresponding to a condition can be averaged between them to refine the relevance of the value.

They can also be averaged by using a weighting with the restored previous value of the current record of the database. For example, a weighting of 4 of the measured mean and of 1 of the restored value will make recent measurements preponderant with respect to the history. Likewise, restored values which

The timestamp exceeds a limit (eg values older than 1 month) may be ignored, as they are deemed too old.

- when the collection of the positioning of the smartphone 10 results in the selection of another record in the database, the measurements corresponding to the location which has just been left will be saved in the database. data using the classic commands for modifying a record in a database.

FIG. 10 shows the steps of a record management method during the journey leading to a movement of the smartphone.

The geolocation device produces the x, y and z coordinates of the current position of the smartphone (step E30).

The current record is selected from the database (step E31). It is checked whether it is a new current recording (that is to say a movement of the smartphone in another unitary spatial zone): step E32. If this is not the case, the measurements are carried out (step E33). If this is the case, the measurements of the previous current recording are saved (step E34).

It is checked whether the previous current record existed (step E35). If this is the case, the measurements are recovered (step E36). Otherwise, the previous current record is created (step E37), and the measurements are recovered (step E36).

The measurements are then carried out (step E33).

As we have seen, the database also includes a third table containing the movements of the smartphone 10. It is then necessary, simultaneously, to create a new record in this third table. This record contains the location of the location just left, and the timestamp of this event.

The database is then used to produce a map which can be displayed on its screen by the smartphone 10. Here, this map has two roles: to show the qualities of connection in the mapped space, and provide graphical assistance to the user in acquiring measurements.

The user who moves in the meshed space will browse more or less quickly the different unitary spatial zones corresponding to the different records of the smartphone's measurement table. In order to help him complete the cartography as efficiently as possible, a means is presented here making it possible to show in graphic form the unitary spatial zones covered, highlighting the unitary spatial zones not covered, and also allowing to present in the form of 'a color code for the actual coverage recorded during its movement.

The use of a graphic representation tool makes it possible to represent the grid of unitary spatial zones corresponding to the records of the database.

You can create colorful shapes like squares and show them on the screen. It is possible to achieve this graphic representation, including in three dimensions, through a representation in the form of more or less transparent colored cubes.

Each record in the database corresponding to a square area with a side of 30 cm positioned in an x, y coordinate system, it is natural to represent these areas as so many squares of defined size, positioned at defined coordinates while respecting a scale in order to to show the area in screen space, for example using a scale of 1 pixel per cm. Thus an area corresponding to a record of the database can be represented in the form of a square with 30 pixels on a side, positioned at the corresponding coordinates. FIG. 11 shows a 2D graphic representation resulting from the use of the database.

A successive reading of the records of the measurement table will therefore result in the drawing of as many corresponding squares.

Since the database has been filled in with values corresponding to measurements taken under different conditions, it is possible to limit the representation to certain conditions, for example to the single current access point assigned by the manager of the distributed Wi-Fi network in total. geographic point.

The reading and therefore the representation may be limited to the only measurement values corresponding to the selected condition. The selection is made, for example, through a configuration menu.

The squares corresponding to the records are colored with a color dependent on the value from the record.

For example, with reference to figure 11: green color = measurement> -65 dBm; red color = measurement> -50 dBm; blue color = measurement> -30 dBm.

This representation thus shows a background corresponding to a zone, the path leading to the measurements as well as an indication of the quality of the signal.

Light gray colored areas represent areas not covered by measurements. The user can therefore choose to browse them, or else will recognize inaccessible areas. As the user travels, the coverage of the area will be refined. A read of the anchor table (second table in the database) will show the coordinates of each of the UWB anchors in the system. It is therefore possible to draw on the screen, for each of the anchors, a geometric shape, for example a black square with a few pixels in diameter positioned at its location while respecting the same cm / pixel scale. To improve understanding by the user, the name of the UWB anchor can be transferred to the drawing in the form of text.

It is also advantageous to show by highlighting or by flashing the square corresponding to the current position of the user.

Optionally, the cartography of the area can be used to associate each square with a name such as “kitchen”, or “living room”, etc. To do this, the graphical interface will for example be used in association with a cursor management making it possible to select a certain zone of the graph, or certain boxes, and to assign them a caption.

These assignments will advantageously be recorded as additional fields in the table of measurements of the smartphone 10, or in an independent space description table.

This graphical representation tool can be coupled and executed simultaneously with the measurement collection method, or executed independently.

The walls are defined on the cartography by their absence. We therefore obtain a plan of the accommodation with the walls and inaccessible areas, such as wall units, which appear “hollow”.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant coming within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The mobile equipment according to the invention is not necessarily a smartphone, but can be any other equipment intended to be moved (by a user or else independently), and for example a tablet, a connected watch, a vacuum cleaner, etc.

The geolocation of mobile equipment is not necessarily UWB geolocation. For example, we could implement an indoor acoustic geolocation based on the propagation of sound waves. The principle is identical, except that the propagation speeds are several orders higher: the speed of light is of the order of 300,000 km / s while that of sound is of the order of 300 m / s ).

Claims

1. Mobile equipment (10) comprising: a geolocation device (19) arranged to determine a current position of the mobile equipment (10) in a space to be mapped; - a communication device (14) arranged to communicate with access points (25) of a local network implemented in the space to be mapped; - a control component (11) arranged: o to selectively and independently control each access point (25), via the communication device, so that said access point transmits a reference signal; o to evaluate, from the reference signals received by the communication device, a connection quality in the current position between the mobile equipment (10) and each of the access points (25). 2. Mobile equipment according to claim 1, wherein the geolocation device (19) is arranged to implement a time-of-flight measurement method. 3. Mobile equipment according to claim 2, wherein the time-of-flight measurement method uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. 4. Mobile equipment according to claim 3, the geolocation device (19) comprising a UWB communication component (20) and a UWB antenna (21) arranged to cooperate with UWB anchors located in the access points. 5. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection quality is evaluated from a power level and / or from a bit rate of each reference signal received by the communication device ( 14). 6. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, in which the space to be mapped is partitioned according to unit spatial zones, and in which the control component (11) is arranged to associate the current position and the evaluated connection qualities. in the current position to one of the unitary spatial zones in which the current position is located. 7. Mobile equipment according to claim 6, wherein each unit spatial area is a unit volume. 8. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control component (11) is arranged to control the power with which each access point (25) transmits the reference signal. 9. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control component (11) is arranged to select a communication channel on which each access point (25) transmits the reference signal. 10. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control component (11) is arranged to evaluate, for each access point (25), a signal strength transmitted by said access point and received by. the communication device, and to control the transmission of the reference signals by each of the access points successively in an order corresponding to a decreasing signal strength. 11. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control component (11) is also arranged to interrogate each access point (25) so that said access point transmits a level to the mobile equipment. signal strength received by said access point (25). 12. Mobile equipment according to one of the claims preceding ones, in which the control component (11) is also arranged to interrogate each access point so that said access point transmits to the mobile equipment functional characteristics of said access point. 13. Mobile equipment according to one of the preceding claims, the mobile equipment being a smartphone. 14. A method of mapping a space to be mapped, comprising the steps of: - acquire the current position of the mobile equipment (10) according to one of the preceding claims; - selectively and independently controlling each access point (25) so that said access point (25) transmits a reference signal; for each access point, evaluating a connection quality, in the current position, between the mobile equipment and said access point; - create a current record comprising the connection qualities associated with the current position; - store the current record in a database. 15. The mapping method according to claim 14, wherein the space to be mapped is partitioned into a plurality of unit spatial areas, the mapping method further comprising the step of defining a current unitary spatial area in which the position is located. current, and to associate the current record with the current unit spatial zone. 16. The mapping method according to one of claims 14 to 15, wherein, for each access point, the connection qualities are evaluated for a plurality of transmission configurations of said access point. 17. The mapping method according to one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the database further comprises functional characteristics of the access points (25). 18. The mapping method according to one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the database further comprises time-stamped positioning data of the mobile equipment (10). 19. The mapping method according to one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising the step of producing a map showing the areas covered and the areas not yet covered by the mapping process of the space to be mapped. 20. A computer program comprising instructions which lead the mobile equipment according to one of claims 1 to 13 to execute the steps of the mapping method according to one of claims 14 to 19. 21. A computer readable recording medium, on which is recorded the computer program according to claim 20.