Hybrid WLAN Cellular Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular-based positioning systems (CPS) and wireless local area network (WLAN)-based positioning systems (WLAN PS) have limitations in accuracy and availability, with CPS being less accurate than WLAN PS, and both face challenges in estimating the expected error of location determinations, especially due to factors like multipath effects and movement of reference points.
Innovation Solution
Integration of CPS and WLAN PS to combine their measurements and location estimates, using cellular data to refine WLAN PS solutions and vice versa, to enhance accuracy and availability, and to improve the estimation of expected error by selecting the best location solutions based on distance and confidence levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cellular-based positioning system (CPS) is used, then availability of positioning service is improved, but location estimation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CPS and WLAN PS into a hybrid positioning system that integrates measurements from both systems. The WLAN module determines initial location solutions, the cellular module provides independent location estimates and measurements, and the integration module merges both data sources to produce a final location estimate that achieves millimeter-level accuracy while maintaining high availability through multiple positioning methods
Solution Approach 2:
The integration module acts as an intermediary that processes and reconciles location data from both CPS and WLAN PS. It compares measurements from both systems, identifies inconsistencies, and selects or combines the most reliable data sources to produce accurate location estimates, effectively mediating between the two positioning systems
2Measurement precision
If WLAN-based positioning system (WLAN PS) is used, then location estimation accuracy is improved, but availability of positioning service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid system merges WLAN PS high-accuracy measurements with CPS broader coverage capabilities. The system dynamically selects which system to use based on availability and accuracy requirements, using WLAN PS when available for high-precision indoor positioning and CPS when WLAN is unavailable for outdoor or broad-area positioning, thus achieving both high accuracy and high availability
3Reliability
If hybrid integration of CPS and WLAN PS is implemented, then accuracy and availability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three independent functional modules: a WLAN module that processes WLAN signals and determines location solutions, a cellular module that processes cellular signals and provides location estimates, and an integration module that merges the results. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently with specialized algorithms, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high accuracy and availability through their coordinated operation
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed subject matter relates to a method and system for increasing the accuracy of a WLAN based position estimate using cellular positioning information. In some embodiments, the method can include determining a set of possible WLAN location solutions for a WLAN and cellular enabled device based on one or more WLAN access points, obtaining cellular measurements from at least one cell tower, and determining the best WLAN location solution from the set of possible WLAN location solutions using the cellular measurements. In one embodiment, the method can include using the cellular measurements from the at least one cell tower to provide a cellular based location estimate for the WLAN and cellular enabled device.