Positioning Controller for Drive Test Information Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drive test technologies face inefficiencies due to the lengthy process of obtaining drive test information, which includes positioning information, measurement results, and timestamps, leading to increased resource consumption and delays in network optimization.
Innovation Solution
A drive test information exchange method and apparatus that involves a positioning controller receiving a positioning request from user equipment, sending assistance information, obtaining measurement results, and directly sending drive test information to a drive test unit, reducing the need for intermediate network elements and streamlining the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the E-SMLC is located on the core network side and executes positioning in a conventional manner, then positioning functionality is provided, but the process of obtaining drive test information involves many steps and results in relatively long delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning controller as an intermediary component located on the access network side that mediates between the drive test unit and the E-SMLC. This positioning controller receives positioning requests from the drive test unit, obtains positioning information from the E-SMLC, and returns results to the drive test unit, thereby streamlining the information flow and reducing the number of signaling steps required in the conventional process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning functionality by separating the positioning controller from the core network E-SMLC and placing it on the access network side. This segmentation allows the positioning controller to handle drive test positioning requests locally, reducing the need for multiple round-trip signaling exchanges with the core network and thereby reducing delay and process complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If manual collection of network data is performed using drive test instruments, then network optimization measurements are obtained, but a lot of resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipment to perform self-service positioning measurements by having the UE determine its own positioning information using assistance data from the positioning controller. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual drive test instrument deployment and reduces resource consumption while maintaining measurement precision through standardized positioning algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the positioning functionality universal by enabling any user equipment to serve as a positioning source for drive test purposes. Instead of requiring specialized drive test instruments, any UE can perform positioning measurements and provide data to the network, thereby reducing resource consumption while maintaining measurement capabilities.
3Loss of information
If positioning information is obtained through multiple signaling steps between UE, E-SMLC, and drive test unit, then positioning data is acquired, but the process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning controller serves as an intermediary that consolidates the signaling process. It receives positioning requests from the drive test unit, communicates with the E-SMLC to obtain positioning information, and returns the results directly to the drive test unit. This intermediary approach reduces the number of direct signaling steps between the drive test unit and core network elements, simplifying the overall process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive test information exchange method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a positioning controller, a positioning request message sent by user equipment UE, where the positioning request message includes indication information indicating that positioning of the positioning controller is used for a purpose of a drive test; sending, by the positioning controller, positioning assistance information to the UE after the positioning controller receives the positioning request message sent by the UE; receiving, by the positioning controller, a measurement result sent by the UE, where the measurement result is obtained by the UE by performing measurement according to the positioning assistance information; obtaining, by the positioning controller, positioning information according to the measurement result; and sending, by the positioning controller, drive test information to a drive test unit according to the indication information, where the drive test information includes the positioning information, the measurement result, and a time stamp. The method and the apparatus of the present invention may be used to enable a process of obtaining drive test information by a drive test unit to be simpler, and a delay to be shorter.