User Equipment Geolocation via Base-Station Beam Power Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GPS systems for geolocating user equipment, such as smartphones on ships at sea, are resource-intensive and less accurate due to weather conditions, necessitating a more efficient and accurate alternative.
Innovation Solution
A method using power measurements from radio frequency beams transmitted by two base stations with distinct propagation directions to calculate relative power information, eliminating path loss and fading effects, and determining user equipment position through antenna radiation patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS system is used for geolocating user equipment, then position can be determined globally, but resource consumption increases and accuracy decreases under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces base stations as intermediary elements between satellites and user equipment. Instead of directly receiving satellite signals, the UE measures radio frequency beams from terrestrial base stations, which relay positional information. This intermediary approach enables geolocation without direct GPS satellite reception, reducing resource consumption while maintaining accuracy through relative power measurements between multiple base station beams.
2Adaptability or versatility
If GPS receiver is equipped in terminal, then position can be known at any time and place, but system becomes resource-intensive for battery-powered terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The network infrastructure (base stations) performs the complex signal processing and position calculation tasks instead of the user equipment. The UE only needs to measure beam powers and report them, while the network server computes the position using the radiation pattern models. This self-service approach by the network reduces the computational burden on battery-powered terminals while maintaining global geolocation capability.
3Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used, then position can be determined, but accuracy varies greatly depending on weather conditions and satellite visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the satellite-based mechanical positioning system with a terrestrial radio wave-based system. By using radio frequency beams from base stations and measuring their relative powers, the system substitutes the GPS satellite signal mechanism with a more controllable terrestrial transmission mechanism. This substitution provides more reliable geolocation under varying weather conditions since terrestrial base station signals are less affected by atmospheric conditions compared to satellite signals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately locates user equipment with reduced resource consumption by canceling path loss and fading effects, suitable for ships at sea and other environments with base stations having two antennas or antenna arrays.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a plurality of radio frequency beams transmitted respectively by at least one antenna of a first base station configured to transmit according to at least a first and a second propagation direction
Implementation Method 2
an antenna radiation pattern model characterising the power of said radio frequency beam associated with said item of relative power information, according to the direction of observation of the item of user equipment by said antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A method for geolocating an item of user equipment located at a given altitude, receiving a plurality of radio beams emitted in at least a first and a second propagation direction by at least one antenna of a first base station and by at least one antenna of a second base station, respectively, in at least a third and a fourth propagation direction is disclosed. The method involves: obtaining a power measured by the item of terminal equipment for radio beams emitted by the first base station; calculating at least one item of information per base station, representative of a ratio or of a difference between a first and a second power of each set of measured powers; and determining a position of the item of user equipment at the given altitude.