User Equipment Location Estimation via 3GPP and WLAN Data Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for minimizing drive tests in mobile communication networks struggle to accurately estimate the location of user equipment, especially in indoor or urban areas with limited signal strength and timing advance values, leading to poor position estimation.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes reference information combining radio environment data with location information, allowing for precise location estimation of user equipment by correlating measurement data with pre-existing reference data sets, even without absolute geographical information, using a combination of 3GPP and non-3GPP radio interfaces, such as WLAN, and sensor data for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location estimation is performed using only 3GPP radio interface information (signal strength, timing advance), then the method remains simple and compatible with existing standards, but the location estimation accuracy deteriorates significantly in indoor or urban areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines information from multiple radio interfaces (3GPP cellular network and non-3GPP WLAN) to perform location estimation. By merging data from different sources including signal strength, timing advance, and WLAN network identifiers, the system achieves accurate indoor and urban location estimation that cannot be achieved with single-interface methods alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary location estimation server that receives measurement data from user equipment via multiple radio interfaces and performs centralized location estimation. This intermediary processes the combined information from 3GPP and non-3GPP interfaces, resolving the contradiction by providing accurate location estimation without requiring complex client-side implementation in user equipment.
2Reliability
If traditional drive tests are performed to assess network quality, then accurate network performance data can be collected, but operational expenses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables user equipment to autonomously perform measurements and transmit location-related information to the network without requiring operator-initiated drive tests. Users' devices self-service the network assessment function by collecting and reporting radio environment data, signal strength, and location information during normal operation, eliminating the need for expensive manual drive tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where user equipment continuously measures and reports radio environment data, location information, and network performance metrics to the location estimation server. This feedback loop enables ongoing network assessment and optimization without requiring periodic expensive drive tests, as the system continuously learns from user-generated data.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for enhancing the transmission of environment-related information between a user equipment and a mobile communication network, wherein the mobile communication network comprises a base station entity, and wherein the user equipment comprises a first radio interface, wherein a radio connection between the user equipment and the base station entity is at least able to be established using the first radio interface of the user equipment, wherein the user equipment comprises a second radio interface, the second radio interface being a WLAN-type (wireless local area network) capable radio interface, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- transmitting, in a first step, a measurement configuration information from the mobile communication network to the user equipment, wherein a control channel of the mobile communication network is used for the transmission of the measurement configuration information, -- detecting, in a second step subsequent to the first step and while the user equipment being located at a measurement user equipment location, a local network information by means of the second radio interface, the local network information comprising a network information of at least one WLAN network (31, 310) detectable at the measurement user equipment location and at a measurement point in time, -- transmitting, in a third step subsequent to the second step, the local network information to the base station entity by using the first radio interface of the user equipment.