Method For Determining The Distance Of A Mobile Communication Terminal From Mobile Radio Base Stations, And Mobile Communication Terminal

• US 20090029715A1
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cinterion Wireless Modules Holding GmbH (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Cinterion Wireless Modules Holding GmbH (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Burchardt, Bernd
• Application Number:
  US11/658,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20090029715A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

In contrast to the related art, in which the distance value is calculated exclusively from the timing advance value, the first mobile radio base station or the mobile communication terminal additionally calculates a second distance value, which is more accurate in comparison with the above distance value but is multi-valued, from the following parameters: a first carrier frequency signal and a second carrier frequency signal with a fixed frequency offset, an initial phase relation at the transmitting site of the first carrier frequency signal with respect to the second carrier frequency signal, and a measured phase relation (MP1) at the receiving site of the first carrier frequency signal with respect to the second carrier frequency signal. The distance between the mobile communication terminal and the first mobile radio base station is determined more precisely by comparing the two distance values. The method can be extended to a plurality of mobile radio base stations. In combination with location data of the mobile radio base stations, it is also possible to determine a location of the mobile communication terminal.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A method having parameters for determining a distance of a mobile communication terminal from a first mobile radio base station in a mobile radio network, comprising:

calculating a first distance value from a timing advance value; and

calculating a multi-valued second distance value more accurate than the first distance value, by using parameters including a frequency offset between a first carrier frequency signal and a second carrier frequency signal, an initial phase relation at a transmitting site, of the first carrier frequency signal with respect to the second carrier frequency signal, and a measured phase relation at a receiving site, of the first carrier frequency signal with respect to the second carrier frequency signal.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first distance value and the second distance value are calculated and/or compared in the mobile communication terminal.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the timing advance value and the initial phase relation are signaled to the mobile communication terminal by the first mobile radio base station, and the measured phase relation is determined in the mobile communication terminal.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the initial phase relation is determined by the mobile communication terminal, the measured phase relation is determined in the first mobile radio base station, and the timing advance value and the measured phase relation are signaled to the mobile communication terminal by the first mobile radio base station.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first distance value and the second distance value are calculated and/or compared in a network-side component of the mobile radio network.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first distance value, the second distance value or the parameters from which the second distance value is calculated is signaled to the mobile communication terminal by the first mobile radio base station.

18. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein other mobile radio base stations are used to calculate other timing advance values, other frequency offsets, other initial phase relations, other measured phase relations and other first and second distance values, are used to determine distances to the respective further mobile radio base stations.

19. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first distance value and the second distance value are combined with location data related to the first mobile radio base station for determining a location of the mobile communication terminal.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the location is combined with stored geographic data and the location of the mobile communication terminal is displayed on a map on a display unit of the mobile communication terminal.

21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the location is combined with data from service providers in order to provide at least one of rescue services, motion profiles, position-related advertising and position-related news.

22. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first distance value and the second distance value are calculated and compared in the mobile communication terminal.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the timing advance value and the initial phase relation are signaled to the mobile communication terminal by the first mobile radio base station, and

the measured phase relation is determined in the mobile communication terminal.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein

the initial phase relation is determined by the mobile communication terminal,

the measured phase relation is determined in the first mobile radio base station, and

the timing advance value and the measured phase relation are signaled to the mobile communication terminal by the first mobile radio base station.

25. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first distance value and the second distance value are calculated and compared in a network-side component of the mobile radio network.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first distance value, the second distance value or the parameters from which the second distance value is calculated is signaled to the mobile communication terminal by the first mobile radio base station.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein other mobile radio base stations are used to calculate other timing advance values, other frequency offsets, other initial phase relations, other measured phase relations and other first and second distance values, are used to determine distances to the respective further mobile radio base stations.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the first distance value and the second distance value are combined with location data related to the first mobile radio base station for determining a location of the mobile communication terminal.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the location is combined with stored geographic data and the location of the mobile communication terminal is displayed on a map on a display unit of the mobile communication terminal.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the location is combined with data from service providers in order to provide at least one of rescue services, motion profiles, position-related advertising and position-related news.

31. A mobile communication terminal to determine a distance of a mobile communication terminal from a first mobile radio base station in a mobile radio network, comprising:

a first calculation unit to calculate a first distance value from a timing advance value; and

a second calculation unit to calculate a multi-valued second distance value more accurate than the first distance value, by using parameters including a frequency offset between a first carrier frequency signal and a second carrier frequency signal, an initial phase relation at a transmitting site, of the first carrier frequency signal with respect to the second carrier frequency signal, and a measured phase relation at a receiving site, of the first carrier frequency signal with respect to the second carrier frequency signal.