Network Beamforming for User Equipment Vertical Height Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications networks and emergency call systems lack a reliable method to determine the vertical height of user equipment, such as cellphones, which is crucial for locating users, especially in tall buildings, as existing methods like barometric sensors are inaccurate and not universally available.
Innovation Solution
The system uses beamforming to identify a specific vertical angle relative to the network antenna, combining this with known antenna height and distance to estimate the user equipment's vertical height and floor location, providing this information to emergency responders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If barometric sensors are used in user equipment to report altitude, then vertical height information can be obtained, but the system becomes unreliable due to sensor inaccuracies from weather changes and loss of accuracy over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network infrastructure components (base stations with antennas) as intermediaries to measure vertical height. Instead of relying on user equipment sensors, the network infrastructure performs the measurement by analyzing signal characteristics (time of arrival, angle of arrival) from multiple base stations to calculate the user equipment's vertical position relative to known antenna heights and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based measurement system (barometric sensors in user equipment) with a signal processing-based system. The network infrastructure uses electromagnetic signal propagation characteristics and geometric relationships between multiple base stations to determine vertical height, eliminating the need for physical sensors in the user device.
2Measurement precision
If barometric sensors are required in user equipment, then vertical height can be measured, but device complexity increases and not all user equipment can be equipped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vertical height measurement capability universal by moving the measurement function from user equipment to network infrastructure. Any user equipment that can communicate with the network can have its vertical height measured, regardless of whether it contains barometric sensors. The network infrastructure performs the measurement function for all users uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The network infrastructure serves itself by using its own existing resources (base stations, antennas, signal processing capabilities) to perform vertical height measurement. The system leverages the inherent signal exchange between network and user equipment for the measurement purpose, without requiring additional hardware in user devices.
3Loss of information
If traditional emergency call systems are used, then calls can be received, but the vertical location information is unavailable for emergency responders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs vertical height measurement as a preliminary action during the emergency call setup process. When emergency call system equipment requests location information, the network infrastructure proactively calculates and provides the vertical height data along with horizontal location information, ensuring emergency responders have complete location data before dispatch.
Solution Approach 2:
The network infrastructure acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between emergency call systems and vertical location information. The base stations and processors in the network analyze signal characteristics and compute vertical height, then relay this information to the emergency call system, which forwards it to emergency responders.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for accurate vertical height and floor estimation of user equipment, enhancing emergency response by providing precise location information without relying on user equipment sensors, improving accuracy and availability.
Implementation Method 1
Aspects described herein may use beamforming to identify a specific vertical angle relative to an antenna of the network
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a system for identifying a vertical height of a user equipment using network-side components, instead of device-side components, is described. The system may include a fixed antenna of a node and a processor. The antenna sends a first beam having a first set of beam characteristics and receives a first signal strength indication from the user equipment based upon the first beam. The antenna then sends a second beam having a second set of beam characteristic and receives a second signal strength indication from the user equipment based upon the second beam. The processor may then analyze the first signal strength and the second signal strength to determine the vertical height of the user equipment, such as by a trigonometric calculation based upon an inclination of the beams and various known distances.