Electronic Device Location via Cellular Radio Map
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in determining accurate location when GPS signals are disrupted or unavailable, leading to errors in location estimation due to reliance on GPS satellites or radio channel gain, which can be affected by geographical features and signal reception performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using cellular network information to generate a radio map based on collected location and cellular data, determining location through coverage information and mobility of serving and neighboring cells, and employing a processor to obtain and analyze cellular data for accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signal is used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates when GPS signal is disturbed or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cellular network infrastructure (base stations) as an intermediary system to determine location when GPS is unavailable. The electronic device communicates with multiple base stations through cellular signals, and the network infrastructure processes this information to calculate location, serving as a mediator alternative to direct GPS satellite communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters used for location determination from GPS satellite signal parameters to cellular network parameters including signal strength, timing advance, and base station identification. This parameter substitution enables location determination through a different physical mechanism that is not affected by GPS signal disruption
2Reliability
If base station location estimation is used when GPS fails, then location determination reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates with several kilometers error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cellular network coverage area into multiple cell regions, each associated with a specific base station. By identifying which cell segment the device is in and using signal strength variations across segments, the system achieves more precise location estimation within the broader base station coverage area, reducing the kilometer-level errors of simple base station triangulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple base stations (excessive action) rather than a single base station for location determination. By incorporating signals from several base stations and processing multiple parameters including signal strength and timing information, the system achieves better precision than simple base station location estimation while maintaining reliability in GPS-denied environments
3Reliability
If radio channel gain is used for distance estimation, then location determination can be performed without GPS, but measurement precision deteriorates due to geographical features and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the electronic device measures signal parameters from multiple base stations, and the network infrastructure uses this feedback information along with known base station locations to calculate and refine the device's location. This iterative process compensates for the effects of geographical features and obstacles by using multiple measurement points and statistical processing
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and method for providing a location of an electronic device according to various embodiments. An operation method of the electronic device according to an embodiment includes obtaining cellular data from at least one base station, obtaining at least one coverage information corresponding to the obtained cellular data, and determining a location of the electronic device based on the obtained at least one coverage information.