Control Plane Positioning for Emergency Calls Over WLAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices often fail to determine their location during emergency calls over WLAN networks due to lack of support for user plane positioning, leading to failed positioning processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control plane positioning process that allows mobile devices to transition from idle mode to location mode, enabling the exchange of control plane messages with the WWAN network for determining location, even when WLAN-based positioning is not supported.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If voice call is established over WLAN network, then cost is reduced and call quality is improved, but positioning process fails due to lack of support for user plane positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control plane positioning process as an intermediary mechanism that operates through the WWAN network's control plane (signaling channels) rather than requiring user plane data channels. This mediator enables positioning functionality over WLAN by using the cellular network's control infrastructure to coordinate location determination, bypassing the need for WLAN to support user plane positioning protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning process into control plane signaling operations separate from the user plane voice call data path. By dividing the positioning functionality into distinct control plane messages (setup, measurement, reporting) that operate independently from the WLAN voice traffic, the system enables positioning without requiring WLAN to support user plane positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between cost-effective WLAN calling and reliable positioning.
2Measurement precision
If mobile device uses WLAN for emergency call, then positioning accuracy is improved, but positioning process fails when WLAN positioning is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal positioning solution that works across multiple network types and support scenarios. The control plane positioning process can operate whether or not WLAN supports user plane positioning, and whether the device is connected to WLAN or WWAN. This multi-functional approach allows the same positioning mechanism to adapt to different network configurations, ensuring both accuracy and compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the data plane (user plane) to carry positioning information, the patent inverts the approach by using the control plane (signaling channels) for positioning. This inversion allows positioning to function even when the traditional user plane path over WLAN is unavailable for positioning purposes, thus improving both accuracy and compatibility across different network support scenarios.
3Reliability
If control plane positioning is implemented, then positioning reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to mode transition requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the mobile device automatically detects when an emergency call is placed over WLAN and autonomously initiates the control plane positioning process without requiring user intervention or complex manual configuration. The device self-manages the mode transition from idle to location mode based on simple detection criteria, reducing the effective complexity burden on the user while maintaining reliable positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and apparatus enabling positioning processes performed by user equipment. The method may include initiating a voice call over a first wireless communications network using a first radio access technology (RAT). The method may also include a connection between the user equipment and a second wireless communications network using a second RAT being placed into an idle state. The method may also include participating in a control plane positioning process with the second wireless communications network during the voice call over the first wireless communications network.