Mobile Positioning Trigger Mechanism for Multi-Vendor Location Centers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of standardized access to a mobile location center in UTRAN networks, which limits the deployment of advanced positioning methods like fingerprinting and AECID, especially in multi-vendor environments, and fails to meet the accuracy requirements for emergency services and hybrid location technologies.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow flexible deployment of positioning services by initiating a trigger for positioning information to be sent between network nodes, enabling the use of multiple positioning procedures, including AECID, with minimal impact on existing standards, using mechanisms like PCAP Position Calculation procedures for data collection and signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standardized access to mobile location center is implemented, then positioning accuracy and deployment flexibility improve, but device complexity and standardization requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning system into distinct functional modules: location center, network nodes, and positioning procedures. Each module operates independently with defined interfaces, allowing flexible deployment configurations (single location center vs. multiple location centers, different positioning procedures) without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The location center is designed as a universal entity that can handle multiple positioning procedures (AECID, fingerprinting, OTDOA, etc.) and serve multiple network nodes through standardized interfaces. This multi-functional design enables the same location center infrastructure to support diverse positioning methods and vendor implementations without requiring vendor-specific customization.

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

2Measurement precision

If multiple positioning procedures are supported, then positioning accuracy improves, but processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting radio environment data and pre-processing positioning information at network nodes before actual positioning requests. Fingerprint databases are pre-built with radio characteristic measurements, and location centers pre-process positioning data from multiple procedures, reducing real-time computation requirements and enabling faster positioning responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where positioning results from multiple procedures are evaluated and fed back to select the most accurate result. The location center receives positioning information from various procedures (AECID, fingerprinting, OTDOA), evaluates their accuracy based on confidence levels and measurement quality, and selects the optimal result, thereby improving overall positioning accuracy while managing processing time through intelligent selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2842352B1Method and apparatus for mobile positioning
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2842352B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2842352B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2842352B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A solution, in particular in multi- vendor situations, allowing access to a mobile location center, for example having capability for specific positioning methods such as fingerprinting, with minor impact on existing standards. The method and system for determining a position of a UE comprises the steps of a first network node receiving a request for positioning information about the UE; the first network node requesting a first positioning procedure at a first location node; the first location node determining using the first positioning procedure that involvement by a second location node is needed; the first location node initiating a trigger for positioning information about the UE to be sent to the second location node; the second location node, upon receiving the trigger for positioning information and determining the presence of an environment measurement parameter, determining the position information of the UE by performing a second positioning procedure based on the environment measurement parameter, and sending a position calculation response with the positioning information.