Base Station Selection for Positioning Based on Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In indoor and urban environments with limited satellite visibility, existing position determination systems struggle to accurately locate devices due to the inability to acquire signals from four or more satellite vehicles, necessitating the use of base station devices for alternative positioning methods.

Innovation Solution

A method and device employing interactive radio localization techniques, where a mobile device transmits request messages to base stations based on their operative capacity, receiving response messages to calculate position fixes, allowing for accurate location determination even with fewer satellite signals by selecting and utilizing non-busy, non-weak base stations for interactive measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base station devices are used for positioning in indoor/urban environments, then position determination capability is improved, but processing overhead on base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination capabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of base station selection by introducing operative capacity indicators. Mobile devices select base stations based on their current load status, switching between different base stations dynamically. This parameter-based selection resolves the contradiction by ensuring positioning requests are directed to base stations with available processing capacity, maintaining reliability while managing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic base station selection where the set of available base stations changes based on real-time operative capacity. Base stations that were previously unavailable may become available later, and vice versa. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable positioning capability while distributing processing load appropriately across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If signals from fewer than four SVs are used, then satellite positioning is simplified, but position calculation becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesatellite signal processingVSAvoidposition calculation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces base station devices as intermediary elements to supplement insufficient satellite signals. When satellite visibility is limited (fewer than four SVs), the positioning system incorporates measurements from base stations as additional reference points. This intermediary approach maintains position calculation capability without requiring complex satellite-only processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system achieves multi-functionality by seamlessly integrating both satellite-based positioning and base station-based positioning. The same mobile device can use satellite signals when available and switch to or combine with base station measurements when satellite signals are insufficient. This universal approach ensures position calculation capability across diverse environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If all base stations are utilized for positioning, then location accuracy is improved, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selecting only a subset of base stations with sufficient operative capacity for positioning measurements. Instead of utilizing all base stations, the mobile device identifies and uses only those that can handle additional positioning requests without excessive load. This partial utilization maintains location accuracy while preventing network overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of base station utilization by introducing capacity-based selection criteria. Base stations are dynamically included or excluded from positioning operations based on their current load, number of active connections, and processing capacity. This parameter-driven approach optimizes the balance between location accuracy and network load management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3295207B1Base station selection for positioning/localization based on an indication of capacity
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3295207B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3295207B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3295207B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Systems, apparatus and methods for selecting a base station or a set of base stations for RTT measurements, or other interactive radio localization technique, to determine a position fix of a device are presented. The method imposes a processing load on only inactive or less active base stations. Busy or busier base stations are not used in the interactive radio localization technique. By imposing a processing load on only less active base stations, transmitting devices may be under loaded and encounter a more uniform processing delay, and thus provide a more accurate measurement resulting in a more accurate position fix.