Cellular Network Database Management for Positioning Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular network database management systems for determining terminal device positions suffer from decreased accuracy due to outdated or incorrectly aggregated observation data sets, leading to suboptimal position determination in runtime applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for managing a cellular network database that integrates new observation data sets while merging cell-specific collections based on cell-identifying, coverage, and base station position-related criteria, ensuring accurate position determination by combining relevant data sets and reducing database entries for improved search efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple observation data sets are stored in the database for position determination, then the position determination accuracy is improved, but the database size increases and search efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoiddatabase entries
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cell-specific observation data sets into unified data structures by identifying and combining data sets from cells that have been renamed or reconfigured. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate database entries while preserving all relevant positional information, thereby maintaining determination accuracy while improving search efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system identifies and discards redundant or outdated observation data sets that no longer represent current cell configurations. By removing these obsolete entries and recovering only the essential positional data, the database size is reduced while the accuracy of position determination is maintained through retention of valid observation data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If cell-specific observation data sets are aggregated in the database, then position determination coverage is improved, but the complexity of data management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination coverageVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal data structure that can accommodate multiple cell configurations and naming conventions within a single unified format. This multi-functional approach allows the database to handle various cell types and reconfiguration scenarios without requiring separate management procedures, thereby reducing data management complexity while maintaining broad position determination coverage.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary aggregation and standardization of cell-specific observation data sets during data ingestion, before the data is needed for position determination. By pre-processing and organizing the data into a unified structure in advance, the complexity of real-time data management is reduced while ensuring comprehensive coverage is available when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If outdated observation data sets are retained in the database, then data completeness is improved, but position determination accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidposition determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation and timestamp analysis of observation data sets during the data ingestion phase. Outdated data sets are identified and flagged before being stored, allowing the system to maintain a complete historical record while marking which entries are current and suitable for accurate position determination. This preliminary sorting ensures data completeness is preserved without compromising the accuracy of active positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3301982B1A method and a system for managing a cellular network data base
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 U-BLOX
  • EP3301982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3301982B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3301982B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system and a method for managing a cellular network database (DB) for determining a position of a terminal device (TD), wherein the database (DB) comprises multiple observation data sets (ODSP), wherein one or more observation data set(s) (ODSP) is/are assigned to one cell (C) of a cellular network (1), wherein a first collection of observation data sets (ODSP) comprises at least one observation data set (ODSP) which is assigned to a first cell, wherein a further collection of observation data sets (ODSP) comprises at least one observation data set (ODSP) which is assigned to a further cell (C), wherein at least one cell-identifying information and at least one cell coverage-related information and/or at least one base station position-related information is determined for each collection, wherein the first collection and the further collection are assigned to one cell (C) if at least one cell identity-related criterion and at least one cell coverage-related criterion and/or at least one base station position-related criterion is fulfilled.