Multi-band UE Positioning via Adaptive Signal Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location-based services for mobile communication devices face challenges in determining accurate positions, especially indoors or in areas with low base station density, due to limitations in GPS availability and signal strength from base transceiver stations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-band user equipment device is configured to simultaneously scan signals from multiple base transceiver stations using different frequency bands and radio access technologies, with a processor selecting optimal signal scanning and reporting rates to improve position determination accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS satellites are used to determine location, then location-based services can be provided, but the signals may not be available in certain situations such as indoors or within tunnels
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the frequency band parameter by utilizing multiple frequency bands (e.g., 700 MHz, 850 MHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz) to scan for base station signals. This parameter change enables the device to adapt to different environmental conditions and maintain location determination capability both indoors and outdoors, resolving the contradiction between reliability and environmental adaptability
2Measurement precision
If trilateration based on signals from base transceiver stations is used, then location can be determined without GPS, but the accuracy is affected by factors such as device speed, weak signals, and low base station density
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the signal scanning process by separating the scanning function from the serving frequency band. The device scans signals on frequency bands other than the current serving band using dedicated RF transceivers, while the base station processes these scans independently. This segmentation enables accurate position determination through multi-band signal analysis without overcomplicating the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs preliminary actions by providing scanning rate and scan report rate parameters to the UE device before actual location determination is needed. This allows the device to configure its RF transceivers in advance for optimal scanning performance, improving position accuracy while managing processing complexity through pre-configured parameters
3Measurement precision
If multiple RF transceivers are configured to scan signals simultaneously on different frequency bands, then position determination accuracy improves, but the device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements multi-functionality by enabling RF transceivers to serve dual purposes: they can operate on their primary serving frequency band for normal communication and simultaneously scan signals on other frequency bands for location determination. This universal capability allows the device to improve position determination accuracy without proportionally increasing the number of dedicated transceivers, thereby managing device complexity while enhancing measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for determining how much time a user equipment (UE) device should spend scanning for base station signals and how often the UE device should provide reports to a position determining equipment (PDE) device regarding the scanned base station signals so as to determine an accurate position of the UE device, especially while the UE device is in motion or within areas of low base station density, are described. Selecting the rate to scan base station signals for a given frequency band can be based, at least in part, on the availability of the given frequency band in proximity to the UE device and to a throughput value associated with an application executing on the UE device. Selecting the rate to provide scanning reports can be based, at least in part, on a speed of the UE device and a network topology, such as base station density.