Radio Network Node Localization Using Relative Signal Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques struggle to accurately determine the location of radio network nodes, particularly false base stations (FBS), as the transmitting power of these nodes is unknown, making traditional multilateration methods infeasible.

Innovation Solution

A method that divides a surrounding area into subregions based on signal strength information from UE measurement reports, identifying the subregion where the radio network node is more likely located, and determines the estimated location as the intersected area of these subregions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional multilateration methods are used to determine the location of radio network nodes, then the location can be estimated using signal strength information, but the method becomes infeasible when the transmitting power of the nodes is unknown

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation estimation accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to nodes with unknown transmitting power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the location determination problem from one requiring absolute signal strength values (which depend on unknown transmitting power) to one that uses only relative signal strength comparisons. By changing the parameter from absolute RSRP values to relative signal strength differences, the method becomes applicable to FBS nodes whose transmitting power is unknown, while still achieving location estimation accuracy through geometric intersection of subregions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the surrounding area is divided into fine subregions to improve location precision, then the measurement precision improves, but the computational complexity and time required for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation estimation precisionVSAvoidprocessing time for subregion analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the surrounding area into multiple subregions based on signal strength characteristics, where each subregion represents a possible location zone for the radio network node. This segmentation enables systematic analysis of signal strength patterns across different spatial zones, achieving precise location estimation through the intersection of identified subregions from multiple measurement reports while maintaining computational efficiency through structured region划分.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4162717B1Technique for determining a location of a radio network node
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4162717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4162717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4162717B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A technique for determining an estimated location of a radio network node (FBS) in a cellular network is disclosed. A method implementation of the technique comprises (a) determining, for each of a plurality of measurement reports sent by one or more User Equipments, UEs, (UE1) to one or more neighboring radio network nodes of the radio network node (FBS) in the cellular network, an estimated measurement location from which the respective UE (UE1) sent the respective measurement report, wherein each of the plurality of measurement reports includes signal strength information indicating a received signal strength from the radio network node (FBS) as measured by the respective UE (UEl), (b) for each of a plurality of pairs of the estimated measurement locations: dividing a surrounding area covering the estimated measurement locations of the respective pair into two subregions (Region I, Region II; Region III, Region IV), wherein every location in one of the two subregions (Region I, Region II; Region III, Region IV) is closer to one of the estimated measurement locations of the respective pair and every location in the other one of the two subregions (Region I, Region II; Region III, Region IV) is closer to the other one of the estimated measurement locations of the respective pair, and identifying, from the two subregions (Region I, Region II; Region III, Region IV) and based on the signal strength information included in the measurement reports belonging to the estimated measurement locations of the respective pair, the subregion (Region I, Region II; Region III, Region IV) in which the radio network node (FBS) is more likely located, and (c) determining the estimated location of the radio network node (FBS) as an intersected area of the identified subregions (Region I, Region II; Region III, Region IV).