SUPL Location Provision Facility for Mobile Device Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications systems face challenges in determining the location of mobile devices, especially in situations where GPS technology is not functional or not available, which hinders the provision of location-based services such as emergency services.
Innovation Solution
A location provision facility that integrates IP-based wireless telecommunications networks with cellular networks, enabling seamless location determination and provision of location information to Location-Based Services (LBS) applications through a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) platform, using methods like SUPL INIT and SUPL POS INIT messages for accurate and efficient location data delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS technology is used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The location determination system is segmented into multiple components: GPS receiver for primary location acquisition, alternative location determination mechanisms for backup, and a location provision facility that manages multiple location sources. This segmentation allows the system to use GPS when available for high accuracy while having fallback options that reduce complexity and energy consumption when GPS is not functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of location determination method based on GPS functionality. When GPS is available and functional, it uses GPS-based location determination. When GPS is not available or not functional, it switches to alternative methods such as cellular network-based location determination, thereby adapting the location determination approach to current system conditions.
2Measurement precision
If GPS technology is used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases when GPS is not functional
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative location determination mechanisms in advance. The location provision facility is configured to handle cases where GPS is not functional, ensuring that location services can continue through alternative methods such as cellular network-based location determination, thereby cushioning against GPS failure and maintaining service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The location provision facility acts as an intermediary between the GPS receiver and the location-based services. It manages multiple location determination sources and can switch between them based on availability and functionality. This intermediary role ensures that location services maintain reliability by selecting appropriate location sources, thereby compensating for GPS unavailability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If IP-based wireless networks are integrated with cellular networks, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device is designed with multi-functionality to operate on both cellular networks and IP-based wireless networks. The device includes dual-mode capability with a cellular radio transceiver and an IP-based wireless transceiver, allowing it to function as a universal device that can access services through multiple network types, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller acts as an intermediary that manages the integration between IP-based wireless networks and cellular networks. It handles location determination requests and coordinates between different network types, abstracting the complexity from the mobile device while enabling adaptability across multiple network infrastructures.
4Reliability
If location data is stored and updated in the network, then service reliability is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location provision facility implements a nested structure where location data is stored at multiple levels: on the mobile device itself and in the network. This nested storage approach allows the system to maintain location information locally for quick access while also having network-based storage for redundancy and updated information, thereby improving reliability through multiple storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where location information is continuously updated and stored in the network. The location provision facility receives location data from the mobile device and network sources, updates the stored location information, and provides feedback to ensure data accuracy and availability. This feedback loop improves service reliability by maintaining current location data in the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A location provision facility communicates with a mobile telecommunications device over an IP-based telecommunications network to obtain information that enables the facility to determine a location of the telecommunications device. The facility and/or the telecommunications device store the determined location. In response to requests from location-based applications for the location of the telecommunications device, the facility can provide the location-based applications with the stored or calculated location.