Mobile Geolocation via Anonymized RF Signature Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating reference signatures in mobile communication systems are costly and do not effectively represent areas frequently used by users, as they rely on drive-testing and indoor-walk-testing, which are inaccessible and expensive, especially in private premises, and require extensive data collection.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines location-rich but information-poor databases with information-rich but location-poor databases to create enriched reference signatures by linking anonymized call database entries with OSS database entries, using timestamp and RF measurement matching to identify and combine signatures, thereby generating complex reference signatures for geolocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drive-testing and indoor-walk-testing are used to generate reference signatures, then the signatures can represent actual user locations, but the cost and complexity of data collection increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different databases: a location-rich database (containing GPS coordinates and basic RF measurements) and an information-rich database (containing detailed RF measurements and call data). By merging these complementary data sources, the system generates enriched reference signatures without requiring expensive drive-testing, thus improving geolocation accuracy while reducing data collection complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing mobile communication data and GPS information that are already being collected by the network for other purposes. Instead of requiring separate dedicated testing campaigns, the reference signatures are generated from routine operational data, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for complex external data collection efforts
2Area of stationary object
If drive-testing is used to collect data in private premises, then comprehensive coverage can be achieved, but accessibility and cost become major barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses GPS coordinates and anonymized call data as intermediaries to represent locations in private premises. Instead of requiring physical access to these locations for testing, the system captures RF measurement data from mobile devices that naturally connect to base stations in these areas, thus achieving comprehensive coverage without accessibility barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual representations of physical locations using GPS coordinates and associated RF measurement profiles. These digital copies of location signatures can be stored and reused, eliminating the need for repeated physical visits to the same locations and making the data collection process scalable to any geographic area
3Measurement precision
If extensive data collection is performed to create reference signatures, then geolocation accuracy improves, but the time and resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-generates reference signatures by combining location data with RF measurement profiles from existing call records. These pre-computed signatures are stored in a database and can be quickly queried during geolocation operations, eliminating the need for time-consuming data collection at the moment of location determination
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously collects and processes RF measurement data from ongoing mobile communications. Instead of performing discrete, time-consuming measurement campaigns, the data collection is an ongoing background process that naturally accumulates the necessary information over time, reducing the perceived time investment required
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating reference signatures for use in geolocation in a cellular wireless communication system is provided. A first signature for a mobile communication unit comprises location information, a timestamp, and radio frequency measurement information obtained by a mobile communication unit at a location, but does not contain identification information for the mobile communication unit. The first signature is compared to signatures in a database, to identify a second signature that has a timestamp and radio frequency measurement information that correspond to those of the first signature. A reference signature is created by combining at least a part of the first signature with at least a part of the second signature. Repetition of the comparison and combination steps creates a database of reference signatures, for use in geolocating other received call signatures.