LTE Terminal Positioning via Timing Advance and Signal Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for terminal positioning in LTE systems are either costly and precise (GPS), low in precision (cell-based), or complex and resource-intensive (OTDOA), with significant signaling overhead and potential errors due to interference.
Innovation Solution
Calculating the transmission delay of a terminal to its serving base station using synchronization timing advance and signal reception delay, and determining its position from this delay and the angle of arrival of the signal, without requiring additional measurement parameters, thus reducing complexity and cost while achieving high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS device is installed in terminal for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but implementation cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses base station signal measurements (copying the function of GPS) to determine terminal position without requiring actual GPS hardware. The base station signals serve as a substitute for GPS satellites, providing positioning capability through existing cellular infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal uses its existing receiver to measure base station signals for positioning purposes, rather than requiring a separate GPS device. The same hardware that receives cellular signals is utilized for positioning, making the system self-sufficient.
2Device complexity
If cell-based positioning method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using only cell identification (coarse parameter) to using signal strength measurements and timing information (precise parameters). By measuring received signal strength indicators and timing advance values, the system achieves higher positioning precision while maintaining low device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If OTDOA method is used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but signaling overhead and measurement complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts positioning information from existing signaling messages rather than requiring separate dedicated positioning signals. Timing advance and signal strength information are extracted from regular uplink synchronization and data channels, eliminating the need for additional positioning-specific signaling.
4Measurement precision
If OTDOA method is used for positioning, then positioning precision is improved, but terminal measurement complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal uses its existing signal reception and measurement capabilities to determine position, without requiring specialized positioning measurement functions. The same receiver that handles cellular communication also performs positioning measurements, simplifying the terminal design.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for terminal locating in long term evolution system are provided by the present invention, wherein, the method includes: calculating the propagation delay from the terminal to the base station to which the terminal belongs, according to the synchronization time advance of the terminal and the signal reception delay of the base station to which the terminal belongs (101); and determining the distance between the terminal and the base station by using said propagation delay, and determining the position of the terminal relative to that of the base station according to said distance and the direction of arrival of the signal from the terminal (102). By applying the method and the apparatus provided by the present invention, the terminal locating can be achieved with low cost, low implementation complexity, and high precision for location only by using a simple algorithm.