Cell Position Prediction Using GNSS Measurement Reports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for obtaining accurate cell latitude and longitude information in wireless network operation and maintenance are inefficient and prone to errors due to manual measurement, requiring significant manpower and time, and are not suitable for various types of base station configurations.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses periodic measurement report data carrying Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information to predict the latitude and longitude of a cell by determining the association relationship between the distance represented by Timing Advance (TA) and the linear distance between the antenna and terminal, allowing for accurate positioning without on-site measurement, suitable for omnidirectional, directional, remote, and micro stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual measurement and recording by engineer using GPS handheld terminal is performed, then cell latitude and longitude information can be obtained, but measurement accuracy is low due to inevitable errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell latitude and longitude measurement accuracyVSAvoidmanual measurement operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service positioning by utilizing measurement reports automatically collected from user equipment to determine cell positions, eliminating the need for manual GPS measurement by engineers. The network infrastructure itself provides the positioning service through automated processing of MR data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical GPS handheld terminal measurement system with an electronic automated system that processes measurement reports containing position information and timing advance data to calculate cell positions through coordinate transformation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If general survey of basic information of base station is conducted to obtain accurate cell latitude and longitude information, then measurement accuracy improves, but consumption of manpower and material resources increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell latitude and longitude measurement accuracyVSAvoidsurvey efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated positioning using measurement reports already collected from user equipment for network optimization purposes. The same data is reused to determine cell positions, requiring no additional field surveys or dedicated positioning measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers and reuses measurement report data that was originally collected for network performance optimization to simultaneously achieve positioning objectives, eliminating redundant data collection efforts and reducing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Measurement precision

If general survey is performed to obtain accurate cell latitude and longitude information, then measurement accuracy improves, but required time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell latitude and longitude measurement accuracyVSAvoidsurvey time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects measurement reports from user equipment in advance during normal network operation, storing position information and timing advance data for later processing. When positioning is needed, the calculations are performed immediately using pre-collected data, avoiding time-consuming field surveys.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If manual measurement and recording is performed, then cell position information can be obtained, but the process is prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual measurement processes with automated electronic processing of measurement reports. The system uses coordinate transformation algorithms to convert position information and timing advance data into accurate cell latitude and longitude coordinates, eliminating human error in measurement and recording.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3890361B1Cell longitude and latitude prediction method and device, server, base station, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 ZTE CORP
  • EP3890361B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3890361B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3890361B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method, a device, a server, a base station, and a storage medium for determining a latitude and longitude of a cell. The method includes: determining an MR sample to be positioned according to position information and/or a timing advance (TA) corresponding to a measurement report (MR) sample, the MR sample being an MR sample that carries Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information of a target cell within a set period; determining a target area including the target cell according to the MR sample to be positioned; selecting a position to be determined according to the target area, and predicting the latitude and longitude of the target cell according to the position information carried by the MR sample to be positioned and position information of the position to be determined, and a distance represented by the corresponding TA.