Cellular Network Location Accuracy via GPS Handset Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular communication networks face challenges in accurately determining the location of mobile cell phones, leading to inefficient call routing and battery consumption, as existing methods rely on triangulation and frequent Registration-Request Signal transmissions, which are not optimized for user behavior or vehicle movements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Registration-Request Signal Transmission Management (RRSTM) logic that dynamically adjusts the frequency of signal transmissions based on GPS location data, suppressing signals when the phone has not moved significantly and embedding GPS location data in Registration-Request Signals to enhance location accuracy and reduce unnecessary transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulation based on signal strength from multiple cell towers is used to determine handset location, then location can be determined without GPS, but location accuracy is insufficient and requires frequent Registration-Request Signal transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS functionality already present in handsets with the cellular network's location determination system. The GPS receiver in the handset provides accurate location data that is then transmitted to the network, merging the satellite-based positioning system with the cellular triangulation system to achieve high accuracy without excessive signal transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary location determination using GPS in the handset before the network needs to route calls or page the handset. By having the handset determine its own location in advance and report it to the network, the system avoids the need for frequent triangulation-based location updates, reducing battery consumption from continuous signal transmissions.
2Reliability
If frequent Registration-Request Signal transmissions are sent to maintain location accuracy, then call routing remains accurate, but battery life of the handset is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous or frequent periodic transmissions of Registration-Request Signals, the system uses GPS in the handset to determine location only when necessary (when the handset moves beyond a threshold distance). This converts frequent periodic network-initiated location updates into event-driven GPS updates followed by single location reports, extending battery life while maintaining call routing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The handset performs self-service location determination using its built-in GPS receiver rather than relying on the network to continuously determine location via triangulation. The handset autonomously monitors its own position and only transmits location updates to the network when movement exceeds a predetermined threshold, reducing unnecessary transmissions and conserving battery power.
3Reliability
If the network pages the handset in multiple cells based on last known area, then the handset can be reached, but network operation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/cellular-based location tracking system (triangulation and multi-cell paging) with a GPS-based positioning system. Instead of paging the handset across multiple cells based on approximate last-known location, the network receives precise GPS coordinates from the handset and pages only in the specific cell where the handset is located, dramatically improving network efficiency while ensuring reliable delivery.
4Measurement precision
If GPS functionality is used to determine handset location, then location accuracy is improved, but the handset must transmit additional data increasing network overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of location data representation from approximate cell-based location (low precision, low data volume) to precise GPS coordinates (high precision). However, it optimizes the data transmission by only sending location updates when the change in position exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby managing data volume while maintaining high location accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cellular communication network has a mobile switching center (MSC) that maintains a GPS location data of a mobile handset referenced by a mobile identification number (MIN) and an electronic serial number (ESN) in addition to a geographic cell number in an HLR database for handsets operating in the network. The GPS location data of the handset may be used for efficient paging to a specific cell to route incoming calls to the handset, route emergency responder calls with the physical location of the handset and to program the handset with the handset transmission strength to the nearest cell tower In lieu of using triangulation algorithm.