Location Server Selects Measurement Data for Mobile Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication networks face challenges in providing accurate and efficient positioning information for user equipment, particularly in indoor environments and for IoT devices, due to rigid architectures designed primarily for emergency call localization, which fail to meet diverse requirements such as position accuracy, reliability, energy consumption, and bandwidth connectivity for various use cases.

Innovation Solution

A method where a location server in the mobile communication network selects and combines measurement data from user equipment and base stations based on specific use case requirements, such as positioning accuracy and update rate, to provide tailored positioning information, using a combination of radio signal observations, sensor data, and machine learning techniques, allowing for flexible data transmission modes and multiple measurement sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite navigation systems are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates in indoor environments due to signal shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines satellite navigation measurements with radio signal measurements from base stations and user equipment to create a hybrid positioning solution. This merging allows the system to maintain high positioning accuracy while ensuring reliability in indoor environments where satellite signals may be shielded, as radio signals can penetrate buildings more effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is designed to support multiple measurement types (satellite navigation, radio signal observations from base stations, and sensor data from user equipment) that can be used across different scenarios. This multi-functional approach enables the system to adapt to various environments including outdoor, indoor, and urban canyon scenarios, making it universally applicable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If rigid architecture with specific transport protocols is used, then positioning service for emergency calls is ensured, but adaptability to diverse use cases deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning service reliabilityVSAvoiduse case adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic architecture where the location server can flexibly select and combine different measurement data types (satellite navigation, radio signal observations, sensor data) based on specific use case requirements. The system dynamically adjusts which measurements to use and how to weight them, enabling adaptation to diverse scenarios such as emergency calls, IoT device localization, and asset tracking while maintaining reliability through standardized protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is segmented into independent measurement sources (satellite navigation receiver, base station radio signal observations, user equipment sensors) that can be selectively activated and combined. This segmentation allows the system to tailor the positioning solution to specific use cases by including or excluding certain measurement types based on requirements for accuracy, power consumption, and available infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple measurement data are collected and transmitted, then positioning accuracy is improved, but data bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddata bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The location server dynamically changes parameters such as measurement selection, update rates, and processing intensity based on use case requirements. For applications requiring high accuracy, the system collects and processes multiple measurement types with higher update rates. For applications with lower accuracy requirements, the system reduces measurement frequency and selects fewer measurement types, thereby optimizing data bandwidth consumption while maintaining sufficient positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3309576B1Method for providing positioning information of a user equipment in a mobile communication network
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3309576B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for providing positioning information of a first user equipment in a mobile communication network, the mobile communication network comprising a location server, a first base station and a first user equipment, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - a request for positioning information of the first user equipment is transmitted from a requesting service to the location server, - a first measurement data is transmitted from the first user equipment to the location server, - a second measurement data is transmitted from the first base station to the location server, wherein the first base station is serving the first user equipment, - dependent on a use case requirement of the requesting service, the location server selects one or more of the first measurement data and the second measurement data as selected measurement data, - based on the selected measurement data the location server determines positioning information for the first user equipment and the determined positioning information is transmitted from the location server to the requesting service.