PROVIDING OTDOA PRS ASSISTANCE DATA

• US 20150018010A1
• Filed: 11/25/2013
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Fischer, Sven
• Granted Patent: US 9,432,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0236 Assistance data, e.g. base station almanac
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments pertain to the obtaining and utilization of Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance data. Cell timing information obtained based on measurements by a Mobile Station (MS) of neighbor cells may comprise cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells relative to a serving cell for the MS. OTDOA assistance data may be generated, where the OTDOA assistance data may comprise an OTDOA assistance data reference cell and a cell timing offset between the serving cell and an OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the reference cell being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements. Embodiments disclosed also pertain to methods on an MS for performing measurements of neighbor cells comprising cell timing information for neighbor cells by requesting idle periods with a desired length from a base station to perform the measurements, and performing the requested measurements upon receiving confirmation that the idle periods have been configured.

Claims

1. A method of providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information, the method comprising:

requesting, from a Mobile Station (MS), measurements including cell timing information for one or more neighbor cells of the MS;

receiving neighbor cell measurements for a subset of the one or more neighbor cells, the neighbor cell measurements including cell timing information comprising cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells in the subset relative to a serving cell for the MS, each cell timing offset associated with a distinct neighbor cell in the subset; and

generating OTDOA assistance data comprising an OTDOA assistance data reference cell and a cell timing offset between the serving cell and the OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending the OTDOA assistance data to the MS.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the OTDOA assistance data is sent to the MS using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the OTDOA assistance data further comprises:

OTDOA assistance data cell information comprising a set of OTDOA assistance data cells, the OTDOA assistance data cells being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurements requested from the MS further comprise a Cell Global Identity (CGI) or an Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identity (ECGI) for the one or more neighbor cells.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a location server communicatively coupled to the MS.

7. A method on a Mobile Station (MS) comprising:

requesting idle periods with a desired length from a base station, the request for idle periods being made in response to a request, received by the MS, for measurements pertaining to the one or more neighbor cells, the requested measurements comprising at least one of a System Frame Number (SFN) or a Cell Global Identity (CGI) for the one or more neighbor cells; and

performing the requested measurements for a subset of the one or more neighbor cells during the idle periods, upon receiving confirmation that the idle periods have been configured, wherein the measurements further comprise cell timing information for neighbor cells in the subset.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the request for idle periods includes either

an indication whether Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is desired, or

a request to use autonomous gaps.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the requested measurements further comprise Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identifiers (ECGIs) for the one or more neighbor cells, and

the MS obtains the ECGIs of neighbor cells in the subset, when performing the requested measurements.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

sending the neighbor cell measurements for the subset of the one or more neighbor cells to a location server, wherein the cell timing information comprises cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells in the subset relative to a serving cell for the MS, wherein each cell timing offset is associated with a distinct neighbor cell in the subset.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each cell timing offset is computed as an offset of a System Frame Number (SFN) associated with a neighbor cell relative to an SFN of the serving cell.

12. A method on a MS, the method comprising:

receiving Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance data comprising a System Frame Number (SFN) offset between a serving cell of the MS and an OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell selected from a set of neighbor cells of the MS, and wherein the OTDOA assistance data is based, at least in part, measurements performed by the MS of cells in the set of neighbor cells;

determining an SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell based on an SFN of the serving cell and the SFN-offset included in the OTDOA assistance data; and

determining Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) occasions of the set of neighbor cells based on the SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell and PRS information included in the OTDOA assistance data.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

performing OTDOA measurements for a subset of neighbor cells, the OTDOA measurement being based, at least in part, on the received OTDOA assistance data; and

sending the OTDOA measurements to a location server communicatively coupled to the MS.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the OTDOA measurements are sent to the location server using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

15. A server comprising:

a processor, the processor configured to request, from a Mobile Station (MS), measurements including cell timing information for one or more neighbor cells of the MS, the cell timing information comprising cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells relative to a serving cell for the MS, each cell timing offset associated with a distinct neighbor cell, and

a communications interface coupled to the processor, the communications interface configured to receive the neighbor cell measurements for a subset of the neighbor cells;

wherein the processor is further configured to generate OTDOA assistance data comprising an OTDOA assistance data reference cell and a cell timing offset between the serving cell and the OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

16. The server of claim 15, wherein:

the communications interface is further configured to send the OTDOA assistance data to the MS.

17. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to generate the OTDOA assistance data as Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

18. The server of claim 15, wherein the OTDOA assistance data further comprises:

OTDOA assistance data cell information comprising a set of OTDOA assistance data cells,

wherein the processor is configured to select the OTDOA assistance data cells based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

19. The server of claim 15, wherein:

the measurements requested from the MS further comprise a Cell Global Identity (CGI) or an Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identity (ECGI) of the one or more neighbor cells.

20. A Mobile Station (MS) comprising:

a transceiver, the transceiver to receive a request for measurements pertaining to one or more neighbor cells, the requested measurements comprising at least one of a System Frame Number (SFN) or a Cell Global Identity (CGI) for the one or more neighbor cells; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to;

request idle periods with a desired length from a base station, the request for idle periods being made in response to the request for measurements pertaining to the one or more neighbor cells, and

perform the requested measurements for a subset of the one or more neighbor cells during the idle periods, upon receiving confirmation that the idle periods have been configured, wherein the measurements comprise cell timing information for neighbor cells in the subset.

21. The MS of claim 20, wherein the request for idle periods includes either

an indication whether Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is desired, or

a request to use autonomous gaps.

22. The MS of claim 20, wherein:

the requested measurements further comprise Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identifier (ECGI) for the one or more neighbor cells, and

the processor is configured to obtain the ECGI of neighbor cells in the subset, when performing the requested measurements.

23. The MS of claim 20, wherein:

the cell timing information comprises cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells in the subset relative to a serving cell for the MS, wherein each cell timing offset is associated with a distinct neighbor cell in the subset, and

the transceiver is further configured to send the neighbor cell measurements for the subset of the one or more neighbor cells to a location server.

24. The MS of claim 23, wherein each cell timing offset is computed as an offset of a System Frame Number (SFN) associated with a neighbor cell relative to an SFN of the serving cell.

25. A Mobile Station (MS) comprising:

a transceiver to receive Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance data comprising the System Frame Number (SFN) offset between a serving cell of the MS and an OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell selected from a set of neighbor cells of the MS, and wherein the OTDOA assistance data is based, at least in part, measurements performed by the MS of cells in the set of neighbor cells; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to;

determine an SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell based on an SFN of the serving cell and the SFN-offset included in the OTDOA assistance data; and

determine Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) occasions of the set of neighbor cells based on the SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell and PRS information included in the OTDOA assistance data.

26. The MS of claim 25, wherein:

the processor is further configured to perform OTDOA measurements for a subset of neighbor cells, the OTDOA measurement being based, at least in part, on the received OTDOA assistance data; and

the transceiver further to send the OTDOA measurements to a location server communicatively coupled to the MS.

27. The MS of claim 26, wherein the OTDOA measurements are sent to the location server using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

28. An apparatus comprising:

means for requesting, from a Mobile Station (MS), measurements including cell timing information for one or more neighbor cells of the MS, the cell timing information comprising cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells relative to a serving cell for the MS, each cell timing offset associated with a distinct neighbor cell,

means for receiving the requested neighbor cell measurements for a subset of the neighbor cells; and

means for generating OTDOA assistance data comprising an OTDOA assistance data reference cell and a cell timing offset between the serving cell and the OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for sending the OTDOA assistance data to the MS.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the OTDOA assistance data is generated as Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for generating OTDOA assistance data further comprises:

means for selecting OTDOA assistance data cells based on the received neighbor cell measurements, and

wherein the means for generating OTDOA assistance data includes the selected OTDOA assistance data cells as part of OTDOA assistance data cell information in the generated OTDOA assistance data

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein:

the measurements requested from the MS further comprise a Cell Global Identity (CGI) or an Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identity (ECGI) of the one or more neighbor cells.

33. A Mobile Station (MS) comprising:

means for receiving a request for measurements pertaining to one or more neighbor cells, the requested measurements comprising at least one of a System Frame Number (SFN) or a Cell Global Identity (CGI) for the one or more neighbor cells;

means for requesting idle periods with a desired length from a base station, the request for idle periods being made in response to the request for measurements pertaining to the one or more neighbor cells, and

means for performing the requested measurements for a subset of the one or more neighbor cells during the idle periods, upon receiving confirmation that the idle periods have been configured, wherein the measurements comprise cell timing information for neighbor cells in the subset.

34. The MS of claim 33, wherein the request for idle periods includes either

an indication whether Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is desired, or

a request to use autonomous gaps.

35. The MS of claim 33, further comprising:

means for obtaining Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identifiers (ECGIs) of neighbor cells in the subset, when performing the requested measurements, when the requested measurements further comprise the ECGIs for the one or more neighbor cells.

36. The MS of claim 33, further comprising:

means for sending the neighbor cell measurements for the subset of the one or more neighbor cells to a location server,

wherein the neighbor cell measurements include cell timing information, the cell timing information comprising cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells in the subset relative to a serving cell for the MS and wherein each cell timing offset is associated with a distinct neighbor cell in the subset.

37. The MS of claim 33, wherein each cell timing offset is computed as an offset of a System Frame Number (SFN) associated with a neighbor cell relative to the SFN of the serving cell.

38. A Mobile Station (MS) comprising:

means for receiving Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance data comprising a System Frame Number (SFN) offset between a serving cell of the MS and an OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell selected from a set of neighbor cells of the MS, and wherein the OTDOA assistance data is based, at least in part, measurements performed by the MS of cells in the set of neighbor cells;

means for determining an SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell based on a SFN of the serving cell and the SFN-offset included in the OTDOA assistance data; and

means for determining Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) occasions of the set of neighbor cells based on the SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell and PRS information included in the OTDOA assistance data.

39. The MS of claim 38, further comprising:

means for performing OTDOA measurements for a subset of neighbor cells, the OTDOA measurement being based, at least in part, on the received OTDOA assistance data; and

means for sending the OTDOA measurements to a location server communicatively coupled to the MS.

40. The MS of claim 38, wherein the OTDOA measurements are sent to the location server using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

41. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform steps in a method for providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information, the steps comprising:

requesting, from a Mobile Station (MS), measurements including cell timing information for one or more neighbor cells of the MS;

receiving neighbor cell measurements for a subset of the one or more neighbor cells, the neighbor cell measurements including cell timing information comprising cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells in the subset relative to a serving cell for the MS, each cell timing offset associated with a distinct neighbor cell in the subset; and

generating OTDOA assistance data comprising an OTDOA assistance data reference cell and a cell timing offset between the serving cell and the OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

42. The computer-readable medium of claim 41, further comprising:

sending the OTDOA assistance information to the MS.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the OTDOA assistance data further comprises:

OTDOA assistance data cell information comprising a set of OTDOA assistance data cells, the OTDOA assistance data cells being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements.

44. The computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the measurements requested from the MS further comprise a Cell Global Identity (CGI) or an Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identity (ECGI) of the one or more neighbor cells.

45. The computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the OTDOA assistance information is sent to the MS using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

46. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform steps in a method on a Mobile Station (MS), the steps comprising:

requesting idle periods with a desired length from a base station, the request for idle periods being made in response to a request, received by the MS, for measurements pertaining to the one or more neighbor cells, the requested measurements comprising at least one of a System Frame Number (SFN) or a Cell Global Identity (CGI) for the one or more neighbor cells; and

performing the requested measurements for a subset of the one or more neighbor cells during the idle periods, upon receiving confirmation that the idle periods have been configured, wherein the measurements comprise cell timing information for neighbor cells in the subset.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 46, wherein the request for idle periods includes either

an indication whether Discontinuous Reception (DRX) is desired, or

a request to use autonomous gaps.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 46, wherein:

the requested measurements further comprise Evolved UTRAN Cell Global Identifiers (ECGIs) for the one or more neighbor cells, and

the MS obtains the ECGIs of neighbor cells in the subset, when performing the requested measurements.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 46, further comprising:

sending the neighbor cell measurements for the subset of the one or more neighbor cells to a location server, wherein the cell timing information comprises cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells in the subset relative to a serving cell for the MS, wherein each cell timing offset is associated with a distinct neighbor cell in the subset.

51. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform steps in a method on a Mobile Station (MS), the steps comprising:

receiving Observed Time Difference Of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance data comprising a System Frame Number (SFN) offset between a serving cell of the MS and an OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the OTDOA assistance data reference cell selected from a set of neighbor cells of the MS, and wherein the OTDOA assistance data is based, at least in part, measurements performed by the MS of cells in the set of neighbor cells;

determining an SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell based on an SFN of the serving cell and the SFN-offset included in the OTDOA assistance data; and

determining Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) occasions of the set of neighbor cells based on the SFN of the OTDOA assistance data reference cell and PRS information included in the OTDOA assistance data.

50. The method of claim 53, wherein each cell timing offset is computed as the offset of a System Frame Number (SFN) associated with a neighbor cell relative to a SFN of the serving cell.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

performing OTDOA measurements for a subset of neighbor cells, the OTDOA measurement being based, at least in part, on the received OTDOA assistance data; and

sending the OTDOA measurements to a location server communicatively coupled to the MS.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the OTDOA measurements are sent to the location server using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.