LTE Endpoint Location via Base Station Time of Arrival

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, especially in LTE networks, accurately determining the location of a wireless endpoint device is challenging, particularly in indoor or high-rise urban environments where GPS information may not be available or reliable, and service providers may be restricted from using it.

Innovation Solution

The method involves receiving signals and times of arrival from multiple base stations, using an overlay Location Channel (LOCH) with a known periodic sequence and perfect autocorrelation properties, which allows the Mobility Management Entity (MME) to identify the earliest time of arrival and determine the location of the wireless endpoint device based on multipath components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS information is used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates in indoor or high-rise urban environments where GPS signals are unavailable or inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidGPS availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces base stations as intermediary devices to determine location without relying on GPS. The base stations receive signals from the wireless endpoint device and use the time of arrival information to calculate location, serving as a mediator that enables location determination in environments where GPS fails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the GPS-based location determination mechanism with a wireless network-based mechanism using base stations and signal propagation. This substitution allows location determination to function in indoor and urban environments where the original GPS system is unavailable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional location methods are used, then service provision is enabled, but adaptability deteriorates in environments where GPS is prohibited or unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidlocation determination reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal location determination method that works across multiple environments (indoor, outdoor, urban, rural) by using base stations as the primary mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the system to adapt to various scenarios including those where GPS is prohibited or unavailable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for location determination from GPS satellite signals to wireless network signal propagation characteristics. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different environmental conditions and regulatory constraints while maintaining location determination reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9357349B2Determining a location of a wireless endpoint device in a wireless network

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A method, computer readable medium and apparatus for determining a location of a user endpoint device in a wireless network are disclosed. For example, the method receives from each of a plurality of base stations a plurality of signals and a plurality of times of arrival, wherein each of the plurality of times of arrival is associated with a particular signal of the plurality of signals, and determines the location of the wireless endpoint device from the plurality of signals and the plurality of times of arrival.