Method and network element for positioning terminal

[0028] The technical solutions of the present invention will be further described in detail below through the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] The flowchart of an embodiment of the method for locating a terminal of the present invention is as follows figure 1 Shown.

[0030] In step 101, the macro base station receives a positioning request for a dual-connected terminal from the core network. The location request may be issued to the macro base station by the MME (Mobility Management Entity, mobility management entity) of the core network through the Location Reporting Control message. The working mode of the dual connection terminal can be as figure 2 Shown. The dual-connection terminal is connected to the macro base station and the small base station respectively, and the macro base station (MeNB) carries service 1, such as http service, and the small base station (SeNB) carries service 2, such as FTP service.

[0031] In step 102, the macro base station obtains the E-SCGI (E-UTRAN Small Cell Global Identifier) ​​of the small base station where the dual-connected terminal is located. The E-SCGI can be transmitted through the Location Report Message sent from the base station to the MME. The new extension field E-UTRAN S-CGI is added to the MME.

[0032] In step 103, the macro base station reports the positioning information based on the cell identification code of the small base station to the core network. The positioning message reported by the macro base station to the core network may be the small base station cell identification code itself, or it may be the precise positioning information obtained through the small base station cell identification code in conjunction with other information, such as TA (Timing Advance, time advance).

[0033] Through this method, in response to the core network's positioning request for the dual-connected terminal, the small cell identification code is obtained, and the positioning information based on the small cell identification code is reported, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the terminal and facilitating the operator to identify the location based on the user Provide differentiated services.

[0034] The flowchart of another embodiment of the method for locating a terminal of the present invention is as follows: image 3 Shown.

[0035] In step 301, the macro base station receives a positioning request for a dual-connected terminal from the core network.

[0036] In step 302, the macro base station obtains the E-SCGI of the small base station where the dual connectivity terminal is located;

[0037] In step 303, the macro base station determines whether the positioning request includes an accurate positioning indication. The precise location indication may be identified by the extension field Location Type in the Location ReportingControl message sent by the MME to the macro base station. If the location request includes a precise location indication, step 304 is executed, otherwise, step 305 is executed, and E-SCGI is used as the location information.

[0038] In step 304, the precise location information of the dual-connected terminal is determined according to the E-SCGI of the small base station and the timing advance information of the dual-connected terminal to the macro base station and the small base station, and the precise location information is used as the positioning information. In one embodiment, the precise location information is the latitude and longitude information of the dual-connection terminal.

[0039] In step 305, the positioning information is reported to the core network.

[0040] Through this method, according to the needs of the core network, according to the E-SCGI of the small base station and the TA of the dual connection terminal and the small base station and the macro base station, accurate position information can be obtained, thereby further improving the accuracy of positioning.

[0041] In one embodiment, the macro base station can determine whether the dual-connected terminal is activated in the small base station, or when the dual-connected terminal is not activated in the small base station, the small base station measurement result reported: RSRP (Reference Signal Receiving Power, reference signal Whether the received power and RSRQ (Reference Signal Receiving Quality) are greater than the measurement result of the macro base station.

[0042] If the dual-connected terminal is activated at the small base station, or the dual-connected terminal is not activated at the small base station, but the reported measurement results of the small base station: RSRP and RSRQ are both greater than the measurement results of the macro base station, the macro base station reports to the core network based on the small base station Location information of the cell identification code. If the positioning request contains precise positioning instructions, the precise position information of the dual-connected terminal is determined according to the E-SCGI of the small base station and the TA of the dual-connected terminal to the macro base station and the small base station, and the precise position information is reported to the core network as the positioning result . If the positioning request does not include an accurate positioning indication, the E-SCGI of the small cell is reported to the core network.

[0043] If the dual connection terminal is not activated in the small base station, and the small base station measurement results RSRP and RSRQ reported by the dual connection terminal are not both larger than the measurement results of the macro base station, the location information of the macro base station is reported to the core network. The location information of the macro base station may include E-CGI and/or TAI.

[0044] Through this method, the macro base station can judge the reported location information of the small base station or the location information of the macro base station, and obtain the corresponding precise location information according to the actual situation of the interaction between the dual-connect terminal and the small base station, thereby ensuring the accuracy of positioning .

[0045] In an embodiment, the core network first obtains the terminal capability information, and the MME determines whether the terminal is a dual-connected terminal according to the terminal capability information. If the terminal is a dual-connected terminal, the core network sends a positioning request requesting the reporting of terminal location information to the macro base station; If the terminal is not a dual-connection terminal, the core network sends to the macro base station a positioning request requesting to report the location information of the macro base station to which the terminal belongs. Through this method, dual-connected terminals are screened out from the core network, and then a positioning request is sent for the dual-connected terminal to obtain more accurate positioning information; for non-dual-connected terminals, only the positioning request for the location information of the macro base station is sent. So that the positioning request is more targeted.

[0046] The flowchart of another embodiment of the method for locating a terminal of the present invention is as follows: Figure 4 Shown.

[0047] In step 401, the core network obtains terminal capability information.

[0048] In step 402, the MME determines whether the terminal is a dual-connection terminal according to the terminal capability information. If the terminal is not a dual-connection terminal, perform step 403; otherwise, perform step 405.

[0049] In step 403, the MME requests the macro base station to report the location information of the macro base station to which the terminal belongs.

[0050] In step 404, the macro base station reports the location information of the macro base station to the core network, including E-CGI and/or TAI.

[0051] In step 405, the MME requests the macro base station to report the location information of the dual connectivity terminal.

[0052] In step 406, the macro base station receives the positioning request for the dual connectivity terminal from the core network MME.

[0053] In step 407, the macro base station determines whether the dual connectivity terminal is activated in the small base station, or although the dual connectivity terminal is not activated in the small base station, whether the reported measurement results RSRP and RSRQ of the small base station are greater than the measurement results of the macro base station. If the macro base station determines that the dual connectivity terminal is not activated in the small base station, and the RSRP and RSRQ in the small base station measurement results reported by the dual connectivity terminal are not both greater than the measurement results of the macro base station, step 404 is executed to report the location information of the macro base station. Otherwise, step 408 is executed.

[0054] In step 408, the macro base station determines whether the positioning request includes an accurate positioning indication. The precise location indication can be marked by extending the Location Reporting Control message and adding a new Location Type field. If the positioning request does not include a precise positioning instruction, step 409 is executed; otherwise, step 410 is executed.

[0055] In step 409, the macro base station reports the E-SCGI information of the small base station.

[0056] In step 410, the macro base station determines the precise location information of the dual-connection terminal. The precise location information can be determined according to the E-SCGI of the small base station and the timing advance information of the dual-connected terminal to the macro base station and the small base station. In one embodiment, the precise location information is the latitude and longitude information of the dual-connection terminal.

[0057] In step 411, the macro base station reports accurate location information to the core network.

[0058] Through this method, the core network distinguishes between dual-connected terminals and non-dual-connected terminals to issue positioning requests respectively. The macro base station determines the type of location information returned according to the signal conditions of the small base station and the positioning request, so as to satisfy the core network request at the same time. Fully consider the situation of the terminal to ensure the smooth progress of the positioning process. In addition, such a positioning method does not rely on the mobile terminal to report the location information of the base station, but the network side directly obtains the location information of the cell where the user is located, thereby avoiding the risk of forging location information on the terminal side and improving the accuracy of location information acquisition.

[0059] The signaling flow chart of another embodiment of the method for locating a terminal of the present invention is as follows: Figure 5 Shown.

[0060] In 501, the PCRF sends a location update message for subscribing to a certain user to a P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway).

[0061] In 502, the P-GW sends a user location request to the MME.

[0062] In 503, the MME issues a positioning request to the macro base station.

[0063] In 504, the macro base station reports the acquired positioning information to the MME. According to whether the user terminal is a dual-connected terminal, whether the MME's positioning request contains precise positioning information, and/or the connection between the dual-connected terminal and the small base station, the positioning information reported by the macro base station to the MME can be E-CGI and/or TAI , It can also be E-SCGI, or it can be accurate location information obtained based on E-SCGI and the TA of the dual-connected terminal and the macro base station and the small base station.

[0064] In 505, the MME sends the user location information to the P-GW.

[0065] In 506, the P-GW relays the user location information to the PCRF.

[0066] Through this method, when the PCRF initiates the user location update, the location information of the cell where the user is located is directly obtained through the network side, without relying on the mobile terminal to report the location information of the base station, thereby avoiding the risk of forging location information on the terminal side and improving location information acquisition Accuracy.

[0067] The schematic diagram of an embodiment of the network element of the positioning terminal of the present invention is as follows: Image 6 Shown. Among them, 601 is a request receiving module, which is used to receive a positioning request for a dual-connected terminal from the core network. The positioning request may be issued by the MME of the core network to the macro base station through a Location ReportingControl message. 602 is the small cell information acquisition module, which is used to obtain the small cell identification code E-SCGI of the small cell where the dual-connect terminal is located according to the positioning request for the dual-connect terminal; 603 is the reporting module, used to report to the core network The positioning information of the base station cell identification code. The positioning message reported by the macro base station to the core network may be the small base station cell identification code itself, or it may be the precise positioning information obtained through the small base station cell identification code in conjunction with other information, such as TA.

[0068] Through such a network element, in response to the core network's positioning request for a dual-connected terminal, the small cell identification code is obtained, and the positioning information based on the small cell identification code is reported, thereby improving the accuracy of positioning the terminal and making it easier for operators to base on the user location The logo provides differentiated services.

[0069] The schematic diagram of another embodiment of the network element of the positioning terminal of the present invention is as follows: Figure 7 Shown. Among them, 701 is a request receiving module, which is used to receive a positioning request for a dual-connection terminal from the core network. 702 is a small base station information acquisition module, which is used to obtain the small cell identification code E-SCGI of the small base station where the dual-connected terminal is located according to the positioning request for the dual-connected terminal; 703 is an indication judgment module for determining whether the positioning request is Contains precise positioning instructions, which can be identified by the extension field Location Type in the Location ReportingControl message sent by the MME to the macro base station. 704 is a precise positioning module, which is used to determine the precise location information of the dual-connected terminal according to the E-SCGI of the small base station and the TA value of the dual-connected terminal to the macro base station and the small base station when the positioning request contains an accurate positioning indication. In one embodiment, the precise location information is latitude and longitude information. 705 is a reporting module for reporting positioning information based on the cell identification code of the small base station to the core network. If the instruction judgment module 703 judges that the positioning request does not include an accurate positioning instruction, the reported positioning information is E-SCGI; if it contains an accurate positioning instruction, the reported positioning information is the accurate position information determined by the accurate positioning module 704.

[0070] Through such a network element, according to the needs of the core network, according to the E-SCGI of the small cell and the TA value of the dual-connection terminal and the small cell and the macro cell, accurate position information can be obtained, thereby further improving the accuracy of positioning.

[0071] In one embodiment, a small base station information judgment module is further included to determine that the dual-connected terminal is not activated in the small base station, and the small base station measurement results RSRP and RSRQ reported by the dual-connected terminal are greater than the macro base station measurement results. If the above small base station information is judged to be true, the reporting module reports the macro base station location information, such as E-CGI and/or TAI, to the core network. If the above small base station information is judged to be untrue, the macro base station reports the positioning information based on the small base station cell identification code to the core network. If the positioning request contains precise positioning instructions, the precise position information of the dual-connected terminal is determined based on the E-SCGI of the small base station and the timing advance information of the dual-connected terminal to the macro base station and the small base station, and the precise position information is reported as the positioning result To the core network. If the positioning request does not include an accurate positioning indication, the E-SCGI of the small cell is reported to the core network.

[0072] Through such a network element, the macro base station can determine whether to report the location information of the small base station or the location information of the macro base station, and obtain the corresponding precise location information according to the actual situation of the interaction between the dual-connect terminal and the small base station, thereby ensuring the accuracy of positioning .

[0073] In one embodiment, the core network side includes a terminal capability acquisition module and a dual connectivity judgment module. The terminal capability acquisition module is used to acquire terminal capability information on the core network side; the dual connection judgment module is used to determine whether the terminal is a dual connection terminal according to the terminal capability information. If the terminal is a dual-connection terminal, the core network sends a positioning request to the macro base station for reporting the location information of the terminal; if the terminal is not a dual-connection terminal, the core network sends a positioning request to the macro base station for reporting the location information of the macro base station to which the terminal belongs. Through such network elements, dual-connected terminals are screened out from the core network, and then a positioning request is sent for dual-connected terminals to obtain more accurate positioning information; for non-dual-connected terminals, only a positioning request to obtain location information of the macro base station is sent , So that the location request is more targeted.

[0074] The schematic diagram of another embodiment of the network element of the positioning terminal of the present invention is as follows: Figure 8 Shown. Among them, 801 is a terminal capability acquisition module, which is used to acquire terminal capability information on the core network side. 802 is a dual-connection judgment module, which is used to judge whether the terminal is a dual-connection terminal based on the terminal capability information on the core network side. If the terminal is a dual-connected terminal, it sends a location request requesting to report the location information of the terminal to the macro base station; if the terminal is not a dual-connected terminal, the core network sends a location request requesting to report the location information of the macro base station to which the terminal belongs to the macro base station.

[0075] 803 is a request obtaining module, which is used to obtain the positioning request sent by the dual connection judgment module 802. If the location request is a macro base station location request, the reporting module 808 reports the location information of the macro base station to the core network, such as E-CGI and/or TAI; if the location request is a location request for the terminal location information of a dual-connected terminal, then The small base station information judgment module 804 performs processing.

[0076] The small base station information determination module 804 is used to determine whether the dual-connected terminal is activated in the small base station, or whether the reported small base station measurement results RSRP and RSRQ are greater than the macro base station measurement results although the dual-connected terminal is not activated in the small base station. If the dual connection terminal is not activated in the small base station, and the small base station measurement results RSRP and RSRQ reported by the dual connection terminal are not both greater than the measurement results of the macro base station, the reporting module 808 reports the location information of the macro base station to the core network, otherwise the instruction The judgment module 806 performs further processing.

[0077] The instruction judgment module 806 is used to judge whether the positioning request includes a precise positioning instruction. If the precise positioning instruction is not included, the E-SCGI information obtained from the small base station information obtaining module 805 is sent to the reporting module 808, and the reporting module 808 sends the E-SCGI information to the core network. If the positioning request includes a precise positioning instruction, the precise positioning module 807 calculates the precise position information of the dual-connected terminal according to the E-SCGI and combined with the TA measurement values ​​of the dual-connected terminal to the macro base station and the small base station.

[0078] Through such network elements, the core network distinguishes between dual-connected terminals and non-dual-connected terminals to issue positioning requests respectively. The macro base station determines the type of location information returned according to the signal condition of the small cell and the positioning request, so as to satisfy the core network request at the same time , Fully consider the situation of the terminal to ensure the smooth progress of the positioning process. In addition, such a positioning method does not rely on the mobile terminal to report the location information of the base station, but the network side directly obtains the location information of the cell where the user is located, thereby avoiding the risk of forging location information on the terminal side and improving the accuracy of location information acquisition.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: The specific implementation of the invention is modified or some technical features are equivalently replaced; without departing from the spirit of the technical solution of the invention, all of them shall be covered by the scope of the technical solution claimed by the invention.