VoWiFi UE Location Provision via Access Point Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VoWiFi systems do not provide accurate UE location to the network, which is a challenge for emergency calls and other applications, as users must manually update their addresses, and continuous updates are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A method where a UE sends a location request to an access point, which determines and shares the location with the UE, allowing the UE to provide its location to the network during a VoWiFi call, even if it lacks GPS or a SIM card, by leveraging the location of nearby UEs with GPS or cellular connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If users manually update their addresses in current VoWiFi systems, then the network can have user location information, but this requires continuous user intervention and is not feasible for real-time location accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The UE automatically obtains its location through the AP without user intervention. The system performs self-service by having the UE request location information from the AP, which provides it based on the UE's connection to the WiFi network, eliminating the need for manual address updates by users.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP acts as an intermediary between the UE and the location information. Instead of users manually providing location or the UE directly accessing GPS, the AP mediates the location provision process by receiving location requests from the UE and providing location information based on the UE's connection to specific WiFi access points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UEs without GPS or SIM cards are used in VoWiFi, then device versatility is improved, but the system cannot obtain accurate location information
Solution Approach 1:
The location provision mechanism works universally for all UEs connected to the WiFi network, regardless of whether they have GPS or SIM cards. The AP provides location information to any UE that requests it, making the system multi-functional and compatible with diverse device types including tablets and laptops without cellular capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP serves as an intermediary that provides location information to UEs that lack native location capabilities. By mediating the location provision process, the AP enables UEs without GPS or SIM cards to obtain location information based on their connection to known WiFi access points.
3Measurement precision
If the system requests location from the AP continuously, then location accuracy is maintained, but network traffic and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous location requests, the system uses periodic action where the UE requests location information at specific intervals or when needed for particular functions such as emergency calls. The AP provides location information on-demand rather than continuously, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining location accuracy when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for providing a location of a first User Equipment (UE) in a Voice over Wireless Fidelity (VoWIFI) call is disclosed. The method comprises: sending a location request to an access point, AP, to which the first UE is attached to; receiving the location of the first UE from the AP, in response to the request; and sending the received location to a network node when establishing the VoWIFI call. A UE carrying out this method is also disclosed.