Emergency Call Routing via Earliest Location Estimate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current E911 technologies face delays and inaccuracies in determining the location of a user initiating an emergency call, particularly due to the variability of location estimates from Enhanced Cell ID, Assisted GNSS, and Device-Based Hybrid methods, which can lead to incorrect routing of emergency calls to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).
Innovation Solution
The system enables a user equipment (UE) to send the earliest available location estimate via HTTPS protocol to a telecommunications service provider, allowing for timely and accurate location information to be sent directly to the Gateway Mobile Location Centre, which can then route the emergency call to the correct PSAP based on the caller's actual location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system waits for location estimates from multiple methods (E-CellID, A-GNSS, DBH) to arrive before routing, then location accuracy is improved, but call routing delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary location estimation using multiple methods (E-CellID, A-GNSS, DBH) in parallel before the emergency call is fully routed. The earliest available location estimate from any method is used to initiate call routing, while continuing to refine the location estimate in the background. This allows the system to act on preliminary location information rather than waiting for all methods to complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the location estimation process by continuously updating location estimates as different methods complete. The routing decision is made based on the current best available location estimate, which can change over time as more accurate estimates become available. This dynamic approach allows the system to balance between acting quickly with available information and improving accuracy over time.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses Device-Based Hybrid location method, then location accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple location estimation methods (E-CellID, A-GNSS, and DBH) into a unified location determination process. Instead of requiring the device to implement all complex DBH components, the system combines results from simpler device-based methods with network-based methods to achieve hybrid accuracy. This reduces individual device complexity while maintaining overall system accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing timely location estimates when a user equipment initiates a call to an emergency number are disclosed. The system enables a user equipment to send the earliest available location that the user equipment can come up with, after detecting an emergency message (e.g., detecting a 911 digit string). This can be done by sending the current location of the user equipment via HTTPS protocol to a telecommunications service provider node (e.g., an end point in GMLC). In this manner, the system avoids a major overhaul of the existing 3GPP E911 location standard while allowing timely compliance of the NG911 mandate.