Wireless Repeater Location Determination via Time Delay Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, especially in rural or remote areas where it is impractical to install eNodeB base stations, wireless repeaters are used to relay communications, but they distort location estimates since UE devices cannot differentiate between direct eNodeB towers and repeaters, leading to inaccurate location determination.
Innovation Solution
The system determines the communication time delay between UE devices and base stations, identifies the attached wireless repeater using a database with location and delay information, and transfers the repeater's location to accurately determine the UE's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wireless repeaters are used to expand coverage in rural or remote areas, then the coverage footprint of the network is expanded, but the location determination accuracy deteriorates because UE devices cannot differentiate between direct eNodeB towers and repeaters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location determination system that acts as an intermediary between the UE device and the network. This system receives location requests, queries a database using the serving eNodeB's identity and the UE's downlink path loss, and returns accurate location information by identifying which repeater (if any) is serving the UE. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing accurate location data without requiring changes to the repeater infrastructure or UE device capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-populating a database with eNodeB identities, repeater identities, and associated downlink path loss values before location determination is needed. When a location request arrives, the system can quickly query this pre-prepared database rather than performing complex real-time calculations. This preliminary preparation enables fast, accurate location determination while maintaining the simple repeater architecture.
2Measurement precision
If eNodeB towers are used to provide coverage, then location determination is straightforward, but it is impractical or not cost effective to install them in rural or remote locations with small user numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual copy approach by creating a database that replicates the network topology information (eNodeB identities, repeater identities, and path loss values) without requiring physical eNodeB infrastructure in every location. The location determination system queries this virtual representation of the network to provide accurate location data, effectively copying the location-determination capability of direct eNodeB connections to repeater-based connections at minimal cost.
3Ease of operation
If wireless repeaters operate transparently to UE and backend location systems, then they remain unobtrusive and simple to deploy, but the UE and network systems have no way to tell the difference between direct eNodeB attachment and repeater attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the location determination system query the database with the serving eNodeB's identity and the UE's downlink path loss, then receive feedback about which repeater (if any) is serving the UE. This feedback loop provides the necessary attachment type information without requiring the repeaters themselves to be non-transparent. The feedback mechanism recovers the lost information while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication network locates User Equipment (UE) that is served by a wireless repeater chain. The wireless repeater chain wirelessly exchanges user data with the UE and wirelessly exchanges the user data with a wireless base station. The wireless base station determines an amount of communication time delay between the UE and the wireless base station over the wireless repeater chain. The wireless base station identifies the wireless repeater in the wireless repeater chain that is wirelessly attached to the UE based on the communication time delay. The wireless base station identifies the geographic location of the UE based on the geographic location of the identified wireless repeater. The wireless base station transfers the geographic location of the UE.