Wireless Device Location Node Cell Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the location of wireless communication devices in cellular networks, such as TA multi-lateration, face challenges in energy efficiency and accuracy, particularly with the rise of IoT devices which require large numbers of low-power devices, leading to high energy consumption and potential inaccuracies due to co-located cell selection.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing wireless communication devices with network guidance to autonomously select cells for multi-lateration, avoiding co-located cells and reducing signaling requirements, allowing for improved accuracy and energy efficiency by indicating suitable cells and using a short ID for battery savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TA multi-lateration is used for location determination in cellular networks, then positioning capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to synchronization requirements with multiple BTSs
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and providing timing advance values and cell position information to the device before the actual positioning measurement. This allows the device to determine its location without performing energy-intensive synchronization and measurement operations with multiple BTSs, thereby reducing device energy consumption while maintaining positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary that performs the computationally intensive tasks of timing advance calculation and cell selection on behalf of the device. By mediating the positioning process, the network enables accurate location determination without requiring the device to expend significant energy on synchronization and measurement operations
2Use of energy by moving object
If the device autonomously selects cells for multi-lateration, then energy consumption is reduced, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate due to co-located cell selection
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary cell selection and provides a filtered list of suitable non-co-located cells to the device before the positioning operation. This pre-screening of cells based on their geographical distribution ensures that the device selects cells that will provide accurate positioning results without the device needing to perform energy-intensive analysis of cell locations
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary that uses its knowledge of cell positions and geometries to select appropriate cells for multi-lateration. By mediating the cell selection process, the network ensures that devices select geographically distributed cells that maximize positioning accuracy while minimizing device energy consumption
3Measurement precision
If network determines the set of cells for multi-lateration, then positioning accuracy is improved, but signaling requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential positioning information (timing advance values and cell position data) from the network and delivers it directly to the device in a streamlined manner. By taking out only the necessary elements for positioning rather than full network control, the solution maintains positioning accuracy while reducing signaling overhead and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The device is empowered to perform the positioning calculation itself using the pre-provided timing advance values and cell position information. This self-service approach allows the network to provide accurate positioning data without requiring complex network-side positioning computation and signaling, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a wireless communication device (110) for managing a location request relating to estimation of a location of the wireless communication device (110) by means of performing a multi-lateration procedure in a cellular network (100), comprising cells, as well as a method and a location node (120) for managing the location request relating to estimation of the location. The location node (120) determines (A010) information indicating a first set of cells useable by the wireless communication device (110) when establishing timing advance values. Next, the location node (120) sends (A020), to the wireless communication device (110), the location request, including the information. The information indicates a first set of cells usable by the wireless communication device (110) when establishing timing advance values. Furthermore, the wireless communication device (110) determines (A040) a second set of cells based on the information. The wireless communication device (110) performs the multi-lateration procedure using the second set of cells thereby allowing the network to establish (A050) the timing advance values for the second set of cells. Furthermore, corresponding computer programs and computer program carriers are disclosed.