Wireless Positioning Accuracy via Base Station Self-Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Signal transport time-based positioning methods in wireless communication networks face errors due to inaccuracies in base station antenna positions and unknown signal path delays, leading to incorrect UE position determinations.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining signal transport time values and geographical position values from multiple UE positions, independent of signal transport times, to determine the actual base station position by comparing discrepancies between estimated and actual values, and optionally estimating base station delay errors, using a position calculation node and UE in the wireless communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal transport time-based positioning methods are used to determine UE positions, then positioning functionality is achieved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to base station antenna position errors and unknown signal path delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs at known positions measure signal transport times to base stations, and these measurements are fed back to the network. The network then uses this feedback to calculate and correct base station antenna position errors, which in turn improves the accuracy of subsequent UE position estimations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by using measurements from UEs at known positions to automatically determine and correct base station antenna position errors without requiring manual intervention or external calibration equipment.
2Ease of operation
If base station antenna position coordinates are used as reference points for positioning, then positioning calculations can be performed, but positioning accuracy deteriorates when there is a difference between real antenna position and coordinate values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simple coordinate-based positioning calculation method while adding a feedback loop that periodically corrects the coordinate accuracy using measurements from UEs at known positions, thus preserving ease of operation while improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the base station antenna position parameters by calculating correction values based on measurement feedback, allowing the coordinates to be updated to reflect actual antenna positions and thereby improving positioning accuracy.
3Device complexity
If signal path delay values are assumed to be known or zero, then positioning calculations are simplified, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to unknown delays in the signal path
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration of signal path delays by using measurements from UEs at known positions to automatically determine and correct delay errors without requiring manual intervention or external calibration equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method performed by a position calculation node (160) in a wireless communication network (100). The node (160) is arranged for improving accuracy when determining positions in the wireless communication network. The method comprises obtaining a signal transport time value for each of a plurality of different geographical UE positions (UE1, UE2, UE3), wherein the respective signal transport time value relates to the time it takes for a radio signal to travel between a first base station and one of the plurality of UE positions. The method further comprises obtaining a geographical position value for each of the plurality of different geographical UE positions, the position values being independent of the signal transport time values, and determining an actual geographical position for the first base station, based on the obtained signal transport time values, the obtained position values and a predefined geographical position for the first base station.