SUPL Positioning Network Capability Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in determining the location of terminals due to resource conservation and delay issues in positioning methods.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) architecture, where a SUPL Enabled Terminal (SET) receives supported network information from a SUPL Location Platform (SLP), sends network measurement information, and the SLP determines a location estimate, which is then sent back to the SET or SUPL Agent, optimizing positioning processes across various radio access networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional positioning methods are used without network capability filtering, then the terminal may attempt to use unsupported positioning methods, but this causes resource waste and processing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The location server provides assistance data that includes a list of supported network capabilities and measurement types before the positioning procedure begins. The terminal filters its measurement capabilities against this pre-provided list, ensuring only supported methods are attempted. This preliminary capability exchange prevents time-consuming failures later in the positioning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the location server communicates its supported network capabilities to the terminal, the terminal reports its measurement capabilities, and the server uses this feedback to select appropriate positioning methods and filter unsupported measurements. This iterative feedback mechanism ensures efficient resource utilization and prevents delays from unsupported operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the terminal sends all possible network measurement information to the location server, then more positioning data is available, but this increases resource consumption and transmission overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation estimate accuracyVSAvoidterminal energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The location server extracts and communicates only the essential capability information (supported network types and measurement parameters) to the terminal. The terminal then extracts only the relevant measurements that match the server's supported capabilities, filtering out unnecessary data collection. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision for supported methods while reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the measurement parameters based on network capabilities. Instead of collecting all possible measurements, the terminal modifies its measurement scope to align with the server's supported network types and parameter sets. This parameter adaptation ensures efficient energy usage by focusing measurements on supported networks only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal attempts to use all available positioning methods regardless of server support, then positioning options increase, but this leads to processing delays and resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning method optionsVSAvoidpositioning processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning method selection becomes dynamic rather than static. The terminal adjusts its positioning approach based on real-time capability exchange with the location server. Supported network capabilities and measurement types are dynamically communicated, allowing the terminal to adapt its measurement and processing complexity to match server capabilities, thereby reducing unnecessary processing while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attempting all possible positioning methods (excessive action), the terminal performs only the subset of methods supported by the location server (partial action). The capability filtering mechanism ensures the terminal selects only necessary and supported positioning methods, reducing processing complexity while maintaining sufficient positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9066308B2Method and apparatus for using supported network information for positioning

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Techniques to support positioning for terminals in Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) are described. A SUPL Enabled Terminal (SET) may receive supported network information from a SUPL Location Platform (SLP), which is a location server in SUPL. The supported network information may indicate one or more radio access networks supported by the SLP, one or more types of measurement supported by the SLP, and/or information that the SET is allowed to send to the SLP. The SET may send network measurement information for a supported radio access network to the SLP. The network measurement information may include cell and/or access point (AP) information for one or more access points or base stations in the supported radio access network. The SLP may determine a location estimate for the SET based on the network measurement information from the SET.