Time-of-flight vehicle user localization distance determination

1. A method for localizing a user device using a Time-of-Flight (ToF) antenna array disposed on a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining, via a ToF localization controller, that the user device is positioned at a front region of the vehicle;

calculating a distance to the user device from a combination of two ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array;

performing a 2-dimensional (2D) trilateration calculation;

evaluating a confidence metric value;

determining a position of the user device based on the confidence metric value; and

generating an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door,

wherein calculating the distance to the user device comprises performing a plurality of measurements based on pairs of ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of measurements comprises 9 measurements comprising 10 pairs of ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining that the user device is positioned at the front region of the vehicle comprises:

performing a first time-of-flight check for a signal received at a first vehicle exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array;

performing a second time-of flight check for the signal received at a second vehicle exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array;

performing a third time-of-flight check for the signal received at a third vehicle exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array;

performing a fourth time-of-flight check at a plurality of vehicle interior antennae of the ToF antenna array; and

determining that the user device is localized at a 0° position with respect to a front portion of the vehicle using the first time-of-flight check, a second time-of-flight check, the third time-of-flight check, and the fourth time-of-flight check.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein performing the first time-of-flight check comprises:

receiving, via a first exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array, a first signal from the user device, the first signal comprising:

a first ToF value indicative of a ToF from a first interior antenna to the user device, and

a second ToF value indicative of a second ToF from a second interior antenna to the user device; and

determining, via the ToF localization controller, that the first ToF value is less than the second ToF value.

5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the user device comprises a ToF transceiver.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a Time-of-Flight (ToF) localization controller, the computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

determine, via a ToF localization controller, that a user device is positioned at a front region of a vehicle;

calculate a distance to the user device from a combination of two ToF antennae of a ToF antenna array;

perform a 2-dimensional (2D) trilateration calculation;

evaluate a confidence metric value;

determine a position of the user device based on the confidence metric value;

generate an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door; and

perform a plurality of measurements based on pairs of ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 6 wherein the plurality of measurements comprises 9 measurements comprising 10 pairs of ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 6 , having further instructions stored thereupon to perform a first time-of-flight check by executing the instructions to:

receive, via a first vehicle exterior antenna, a first signal from the user device, the first signal comprising:

a first ToF value indicative of a ToF from a first interior antenna to the user device, and

a second ToF value indicative of a second ToF from a second interior antenna to the user device; and

determine, via the ToF localization controller, that the first ToF value is less than the second ToF value.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 6 , wherein the user device comprises a ToF transceiver.

10. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory for storing executable instructions, the processor programmed to execute the instructions to:

determine, via a Time-of-Flight (ToF) localization controller, that a user device is positioned at a front region of a vehicle;

calculate a distance to the user device from a combination of two ToF antennae of a ToF antenna array;

perform a 2-dimensional (2D) trilateration calculation;

evaluate a confidence metric value;

determine a position of the user device based on the confidence metric value; and

generate an unlock signal that unlocks a vehicle door;

perform a first time-of-flight check for a signal received at a first vehicle exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array;

perform a second time-of flight check for the signal received at a second vehicle exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array;

perform a third time-of-flight check for the signal received at a third vehicle exterior antenna of the ToF antenna array;

perform a fourth time-of-flight check at a plurality of vehicle interior antennae of the ToF antenna array; and

determine that the user device is localized at a 0° position with respect to a front portion of the vehicle using the first time-of-flight check, a second time-of-flight check, the third time-of-flight check, and the fourth time-of-flight check.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the processor is further programmed to calculate the distance to the user device by executing the instructions to:

perform a plurality of measurements based on pairs of ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of measurements comprises 9 measurements comprising 10 pairs of ToF antennae of the ToF antenna array.

13. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the processor is further programmed to perform the first time-of-flight check by executing the instructions to:

receive, via the first vehicle exterior antenna, a first signal from the user device, the first signal comprising:

a first ToF value indicative of a ToF from a first interior antenna to the user device, and

a second ToF value indicative of a second ToF from a second interior antenna to the user device; and

determine, via the ToF localization controller, that the first ToF value is less than the second ToF value.

14. The system according to claim 10 , wherein the user device comprises a ToF transceiver.