Ping-Pong Border Location Approximation for Mobile Station Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination methods for mobile stations in cellular wireless communication systems face inaccuracies with base station location representation and resource consumption issues with satellite-based methods, particularly when a mobile station is ping-ponging between non-coterminous wireless coverage areas.
Innovation Solution
A method to approximate the location of a mobile station by determining the overlap area between two wireless coverage areas, using predefined data that correlates pairs of coverage areas with their overlap locations, or by geometrically computing the centroids of the coverage areas to find the ping-pong border location, thereby reducing network resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If base station location is used to represent mobile station location, then the location determination is simple and inexpensive, but the location accuracy deteriorates due to the large scope of base station coverage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base station coverage area into multiple smaller location zones (e.g., center zone, edge zones, sector zones). Instead of treating the entire coverage area as a single location representation, the system divides it into granular segments that can be independently identified and mapped to more precise location coordinates, thereby improving location accuracy while maintaining computational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different location precision characteristics to different regions within the coverage area. The center of the coverage area may use one set of location representation rules, while edge regions or sectors use different rules based on their specific geometric and signal characteristics. This allows the system to optimize location accuracy locally without complicating the entire system.
2Measurement precision
If satellite positioning technology is used to determine mobile station location, then location accuracy is improved, but network resource consumption increases due to additional signaling and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mobile station to self-determine its location by utilizing existing downlink pilot signals from base stations. The mobile station performs signal strength measurements and geometric calculations locally to compute its position, eliminating the need for satellite-based positioning systems. This self-service approach achieves accurate location determination without consuming additional network resources for satellite signaling or centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based positioning mechanism with a ground-based geometric calculation mechanism. Instead of relying on satellite signal triangulation, the system uses the known geometric relationships between base station locations and mobile station signal reception characteristics to compute position. This substitution eliminates the need for satellite infrastructure while maintaining location accuracy and reducing network resource consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the mobile station is ping-ponging between two non-coterminous coverage areas, then handoff management becomes complex, but determining the overlap area location provides accurate mobile station positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the geometric overlap areas between adjacent coverage areas. When a mobile station is detected to be ping-ponging between two base stations, the system directly retrieves the pre-computed overlap region coordinates rather than performing complex real-time geometric calculations. This preliminary preparation simplifies the handoff management process during active ping-ponging while maintaining accurate location determination.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method for determining the location of a mobile station with greater accuracy than serving base station location and yet preferably without the consumption of network resources typical of satellite-based location determination. The method is applicable in a scenario where a mobile station is ping-ponging (or has just been ping-ponging) between two non-coterminous wireless coverage areas. According the method, in that scenario, the location of the mobile station will be approximated conveniently as the location of overlap between the two wireless coverage areas, since it is most likely that the mobile station resides in that overlap area.