WiFi Civic Location Validation for 4G and 5G Emergency Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks struggle to provide civic locations for emergency calls, as geodetic locations are preferred by PSAPs, but civic locations are not reliably supported by decommissioned network-based solutions or proprietary OS-based solutions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device obtains civic location from a WiFi access point and performs proximity measurements, providing this location to a location server which verifies and sends it to the PSAP, ensuring accurate civic location determination during emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If geodetic location (latitude, longitude) is provided to PSAP, then positioning accuracy is achieved, but PSAP usability and dispatch efficiency deteriorate because PSAPs prefer civic location format
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location server as an intermediary between the mobile device and PSAP. The location server receives geodetic location data from the mobile device, converts it to civic location format using database lookups, and provides the formatted civic location to the PSAP. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining positioning accuracy through proper data processing while delivering PSAP-friendly civic location format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the location data from one parameter format (geodetic coordinates: latitude, longitude) to another parameter format (civic location: street address, city, state). This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain the precision of geodetic measurement while presenting the information in the usable civic format that PSAPs require for efficient dispatch.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network-based solution (NEAD) is used for civic location, then civic location support is achieved, but system reliability deteriorates because NEAD has been decommissioned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the location server pre-load and maintain civic location databases (such as NEAD data or alternative databases) before they are needed. The server proactively converts geodetic coordinates to civic locations and caches the results, ensuring civic location support is available even when original network-based solutions like NEAD are decommissioned. This preparatory data storage maintains reliability independently of external database availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local copies of civic location database data within the location server. Instead of relying on the decommissioned NEAD network service, the system replicates the necessary civic location data locally, allowing the server to perform geodetic-to-civic conversions without external dependencies. This copying strategy ensures continued civic location support with improved reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary HLOS-based solution is used for civic location, then civic location may be obtained, but availability and reliability deteriorate because it is not always available or reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The location server acts as an intermediary that provides civic location capability independent of the mobile device's HLOS implementation. Even when proprietary HLOS solutions are unavailable or unreliable on the device, the location server can independently perform geodetic-to-civic conversions using its own databases and algorithms, ensuring continuous civic location availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server performs self-service by maintaining its own civic location databases and conversion capabilities without depending on the mobile device's HLOS implementation. The server independently handles the geodetic-to-civic transformation process, making the system's civic location capability self-sufficient and reliable regardless of device-specific software availability.
4Ease of operation
If WiFi AP civic location is used for mobile device, then civic location determination is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to proximity-based estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct geometric trilateration (mechanical measurement system using signal propagation time) with WiFi association-based civic location lookup. Instead of calculating position from precise distance measurements to multiple base stations, the system uses the mobile device's association with a nearby WiFi access point to retrieve civic location data. This substitution simplifies the process and improves ease of operation while maintaining acceptable accuracy for emergency services.
Data Source
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AI summary
During positioning of a user equipment (UE), for example, during an emergency call, a civic location of the UE may be determined. For example, during a location session in a wireless network, a UE may detect a WiFi access point (AP) and obtain the civic location of the WiFi AP from the AP. The UE may provide the civic location to a location server in the wireless network, which may treat the civic location as the civic location of the UE. The location server may validate the civic location using a geodetic location, e.g., obtained based on measurements from a satellite positioning system and/or base stations in the wireless network. The location server may further verify that the UE is proximate to the WiFi AP using WiFi positioning measurements performed by the UE. The validated civic location can be provided to an external client, e.g. a PSAP.