PROVIDING POSITIONING ASSISTANCE DATA

• US 20110032859A1
• Filed: 04/14/2008
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Halivaara, Ismo, Syrjärinne, Jari, Wirola, Lauri
• Granted Patent: US 8,982,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/312
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/258 relating to the satellite constellation, e.g. almanac, ephemeris data, lists of satellites in view
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/919 Geographic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/922 Communications

Abstract

For supporting the use of positioning assistance data, the positioning assistance data is broadcast in a plurality of different logical sub-channels. The positioning assistance data is distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels depending on its content.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing a broadcast of positioning assistance data in a plurality of different logical sub-channels, wherein the positioning assistance data has been distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels depending on its content, and wherein the broadcast is a broadcast in a user plane.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising one of:

distributing the positioning assistance data depending on its content to the plurality of different logical sub-channels; and

receiving the location assistance data distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

encrypting at least a part of the positioning assistance data that is to be distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining access points which enable an access to a location assistance service and which are currently accessed by a terminal subscribing to a location assistance service; and

causing a broadcast of the positioning assistance data in a plurality of logical sub-channels via such determined access points only.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a respective logical sub-channel is provided for assistance data for at least one of:

each of a plurality of service quality levels;

each of a plurality of beacon systems;

each of a plurality of positioning methods;

each of a plurality of update rates;

each of a plurality of types of assistance data;

each of a plurality of fragments of a database for positioning services;

each of a plurality of fragments of a database for positioning services and the entire database;

each of a plurality of geographic areas; and

varying assistance content based on triggers.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assistance data comprises data mapping identifiers of access stations providing access to a location assistance service to a respective location.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of logical sub-channels comprise at least one of a plurality of data files and a plurality of streams.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of logical sub-channels are realized by using a plurality of transport layer protocol ports.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast using plurality of logical sub-channels is an internet protocol broadcast.

4. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

13. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:

cause a broadcast of positioning assistance data in a plurality of different logical sub-channels, wherein the positioning assistance data has been distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels depending on its content, and wherein the broadcast is a broadcast in a user plane.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code, with the at least one processor, are further configured to one of:

distribute the positioning assistance data depending on its content to the plurality of different logical sub-channels; and

receive the location assistance data distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code, with the at least one processor, are further configured to encrypt at least a part of the positioning assistance data that is to be distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels.

17. The apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code, with the at least one processor, are further configured to determine access points which enable an access to a location assistance service and which are currently accessed by a terminal subscribing to a location assistance service;

and

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code, with the at least one processor, are further configured to cause a broadcast of the positioning assistance data in a plurality of logical sub-channels via such determined access points only.

18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a respective logical sub-channel is provided for assistance data for at least one of:

each of a plurality of service quality levels;

each of a plurality of beacon systems;

each of a plurality of positioning methods;

each of a plurality of update rates;

each of a plurality of types of assistance data;

each of a plurality of fragments of a database for positioning services;

each of a plurality of fragments of a database for positioning services and the entire database;

each of a plurality of geographic areas; and

varying assistance content based on triggers.

19. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the assistance data comprises data mapping identifiers of access stations providing access to a location assistance service to a respective location.

21. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of logical sub-channels comprise at least one of a plurality of data files and a plurality of streams.

22. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of logical sub-channels are realized by using a plurality of transport layer protocol ports.

24. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the broadcast using plurality of logical sub-channels is an internet protocol broadcast.

25. The An-apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the apparatus is one of a server further comprising an interface configured to provide a link to a wireless communication network and a network element of a wireless communication network.

16. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium in which computer program code is stored, the computer program code configured to cause an apparatus to perform the following when executed by a processor:

causing a broadcast of positioning assistance data in a plurality of different logical sub-channels, wherein the positioning assistance data has been distributed to the plurality of different logical sub-channels depending on its content, and wherein the broadcast is a broadcast in a user plane.

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)