Three-dimensional femtocell mapping
First Claim
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1. A femtocell mapping device, comprising:
- a memory device storing a set of processor-executable instructions;
interface hardware configured to communicate with one or more other devices, the one or more other devices including at least one of;
a user device,a plurality of femtocells, ora femtocell gateway that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of femtocells; and
a processor configured to execute the processor-executable instructions, wherein executing the processor-executable instructions causes the femtocell mapping device to;
receive an indication, from the user device, the plurality of femtocells, or the femtocell gateway, via the interface hardware, the indication including information indicating that the user device has concurrently detected a presence of a first femtocell and a second femtocell, of the plurality of femtocells;
receive, within a predetermined window of time;
height information regarding the user device, the height information indicating at least one of;
an altitude of the user device, ora floor of a building on which the user device is located,first signal strength information regarding a first signal strength between the user device and the first femtocell, that was obtained by the user device while the user device was concurrently in the presence of the first and second femtocells, andsecond signal strength information regarding a second signal strength between the user device and the second femtocell, that was obtained by the user device while the user device was concurrently in the presence of the first and second femtocells;
determine a difference between the first signal strength and the second signal strength that were received during the predetermined window of time;
determine a spatial relationship between the first and second femtocells based on the difference between the first and second signal strengths, that were obtained by the user device while the user device was concurrently in the presence of the first and second femtocells;
approximate a first distance between the user device and the first femtocell based on the first signal strength;
approximate a second distance between the user device and the second femtocell based on the second signal strength;
determine a height of the first femtocell, based on;
the approximated first distance between the user device and the first femtocell, andthe height information regarding the user device; and
determine a height of the second femtocell, based on;
the approximated second distance between the user device and the second femtocell, andthe height information regarding the user device.
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Abstract
Femtocells are often used to extend the coverage of wireless telecommunication networks, but do not typically incorporate mechanisms that allow their location to be easily ascertained. As described herein, a system may determine the locations of femtocells, based on the locations of user devices that attach to, detach from, handover between, and/or detect the femtocells. A map (such as a three-dimensional map) may be generated based on the determined locations of femtocells. The locations of femtocells may be used, for example, in emergency broadcast situations, in order to ensure that messages are distributed as completely as possible in a given region.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A femtocell mapping device, comprising:
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a memory device storing a set of processor-executable instructions; interface hardware configured to communicate with one or more other devices, the one or more other devices including at least one of; a user device, a plurality of femtocells, or a femtocell gateway that is communicatively coupled to the plurality of femtocells; and a processor configured to execute the processor-executable instructions, wherein executing the processor-executable instructions causes the femtocell mapping device to; receive an indication, from the user device, the plurality of femtocells, or the femtocell gateway, via the interface hardware, the indication including information indicating that the user device has concurrently detected a presence of a first femtocell and a second femtocell, of the plurality of femtocells; receive, within a predetermined window of time; height information regarding the user device, the height information indicating at least one of; an altitude of the user device, or a floor of a building on which the user device is located, first signal strength information regarding a first signal strength between the user device and the first femtocell, that was obtained by the user device while the user device was concurrently in the presence of the first and second femtocells, and second signal strength information regarding a second signal strength between the user device and the second femtocell, that was obtained by the user device while the user device was concurrently in the presence of the first and second femtocells; determine a difference between the first signal strength and the second signal strength that were received during the predetermined window of time; determine a spatial relationship between the first and second femtocells based on the difference between the first and second signal strengths, that were obtained by the user device while the user device was concurrently in the presence of the first and second femtocells; approximate a first distance between the user device and the first femtocell based on the first signal strength; approximate a second distance between the user device and the second femtocell based on the second signal strength; determine a height of the first femtocell, based on; the approximated first distance between the user device and the first femtocell, and the height information regarding the user device; and determine a height of the second femtocell, based on; the approximated second distance between the user device and the second femtocell, and the height information regarding the user device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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receiving, by a computing device and via interface hardware associated with the computing device, an indication that a user device has concurrently detected a presence of a first femtocell and a second femtocell; receiving, during a predetermined window of time; height information indicating a height of the user device, first signal strength information regarding a first signal strength between the user device and the first femtocell, that was obtained by the user device while the user device has detected that the first and second femtocells are concurrently present, and second signal strength information regarding a second signal strength between the user device and the second femtocell, that was obtained by the user device while the user device has detected that the first and second femtocells are concurrently present; approximating a first distance between the user device and the first femtocell based on the first signal strength; approximating a second distance between the user device and the second femtocell based on the second signal strength; determining a height of the first femtocell, based on; the approximated first distance between the user device and the first femtocell, and the height information regarding the user device; and determining a height of the second femtocell, based on; the approximated distance between the user device and the second femtocell, and the height information regarding the user device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A user device, comprising:
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a memory device storing a set of processor-executable instructions; interface hardware configured to communicate with one or more other devices; and a processor configured to execute the processor-executable instructions, wherein executing the processor-executable instructions causes the user device to; concurrently detect, via the interface hardware, a presence of a first femtocell and a second femtocell; while the user device has detected the concurrent presence of the first and second femtocells, determine; a height of the user device, a first signal strength between the user device and the first femtocell, and a second signal strength between the user device and the second femtocell; and output, via the interface hardware and to a femtocell mapping device, information regarding the determined height, first signal strength, and second signal strength, wherein the femtocell mapping device uses the information regarding the determined height, first signal strength, and second signal strength to; approximate a first distance between the user device and the first femtocell based on the first signal strength; approximate a second distance between the user device and the second femtocell based on the second signal strength; determine a height of the first femtocell based on; the approximated first distance between the user device and the first femtocell, and the height information regarding the user device; determine a height of the second femtocell, based on; the approximated second distance between the user device and the second femtocell, and the height information regarding the user device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification