Mobile Device Positioning Using Colocated Cell Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning methods for mobile devices are inefficient due to the need to measure signals from multiple colocated cells, which are geographically redundant and time-consuming, especially when NarrowBand-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) cells are colocated with non-narrowband LTE cells at the same Enhanced Node B.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying colocated sets of cells and selecting one cell from each set based on criteria such as operating frequency, interference levels, and positioning reference signal transmission frequency to prioritize standalone cells for signal measurements, optimizing the assistance data provided to the mobile device or location server for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signals are measured from multiple colocated cells to ensure comprehensive coverage, then positioning reliability is improved, but positioning time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies colocated cells from the complete cell list, then selects only one representative cell from each colocated set for signal measurement. This extraction process removes redundant measurement targets while preserving positioning reliability, as the selected representative cell adequately represents the entire colocated set for positioning purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complete cell list into distinct colocated sets based on geographic location and transmission parameters. By dividing the cell list into these segments, the system can efficiently select one representative cell from each segment, avoiding redundant measurements across multiple cells that provide identical positioning information.
2Measurement precision
If all available cells are included in assistance data for positioning, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting a subset of cells (one representative from each colocated set) rather than including all available cells in assistance data. This partial selection maintains sufficient measurement accuracy for positioning while significantly reducing the complexity of processing and managing the cell list.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of cell selection from inclusive (all cells) to selective (representative cells only), using criteria such as geographic location, frequency, and signal characteristics. This parameter change optimizes the balance between measurement accuracy and processing efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NB-IoT cells and non-narrowband LTE cells are both measured, then positioning versatility is improved, but time consumption and resource usage increase due to geographic redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies colocated sets containing both NB-IoT and non-narrowband LTE cells, then selects one representative cell from each set. This extraction eliminates redundant measurements of geographically co-located cells while preserving positioning versatility by maintaining support for multiple cell types in the assistance data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains universal support for measuring both NB-IoT and non-narrowband LTE cells in the assistance data, enabling the system to adapt to different network configurations and device capabilities. The actual measurement process, however, efficiently selects representative cells to avoid redundant work.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for determining a position of a mobile device are provided. A method according to these techniques includes obtaining assistance data comprising information for cells associated with a plurality of wireless transmitters of a wireless communications network based on the coarse location of the mobile device, selecting a plurality of the cells from the assistance data, wherein selecting the plurality of cells includes identifying sets of colocated cells and selecting one cell from each of the colocated sets of cells; measuring signals from the plurality of cells to generate positioning signal measurements; and sending the positioning signal measurements to a location server. A colocated set of cells may include a narrowband cell and a non-narrowband cell, and the narrowband wireless cell may comprise a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) cell and a non-narrowband cell colocated with the NB-IoT cell at an Evolved Node B (eNodeB).