Methods and arrangements for locating a mobile telecommunications station

• US 6,295,455 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1999
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Fischer, Sven, Larsson, Erik, Lundqvist, Patrik, Kangas, Ari
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US09/332,282
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/457, 455/422, 455/67.1, 455/67.6, 342/450, 342/457, 370/345, 370/347, 370/442
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

In a mobile telecommunications network, a mobile station (MS) is configured to generate and uplink transmit position measuring data prior to and/or during a call connection, without noticeably interrupting the user or degrading the quality of service provided. Position measuring data can be uplink transmitted over an idle traffic channel during a call set up operation for a brief moment while the call connection is being completed. Position measuring data can also be uplink transmitted during a call by selectively stealing data positions or burst positions in the uplink signal. The position measuring data is received by a plurality of base stations and uplink signal characteristics are measured and collected. The measured uplink signal characteristic data from several base stations is then used to determine a current approximate geographical location of the mobile station.

Claims

1. An arrangement for use in determining an approximate geographical location of a mobile station (MS) within a coverage area of a mobile telecommunications network based on a plurality of uplink signal characteristic measurements for uplink signals transmitted by the MS, the arrangement comprising:

a mobile station (MS) configured to generate and transmit an uplink signal having a plurality of data bursts;

a data generator, within said MS, said data generator being configured to selectively steal at least a portion of said uplink signal by generating position measuring data and replacing portions of said uplink signal with at least portions of said position measuring data prior to transmission of said uplink signal by said MS;

a plurality of receiving nodes having known geographical locations within the coverage area of the mobile telecommunications network, each of said receiving nodes being configured to receive said uplink signal, detect said position measuring data and measure at least one uplink signal characteristic associated with the receipt of said position measuring data;

a mobile location center (MLC) operatively configured to receive measured uplink signal characteristic data associated with each of said receiving nodes, said MLC being further configured to determine an approximate geographical location of said MS based on said measured uplink signal characteristic data.

2. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said data generator is configured to selectively steal data bursts by replacing at least one of said data bursts with a positioning burst that includes at least a portion of said position measuring data, and wherein said MS transmits said positioning burst in said uplink signal.

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said MLC is further configured to control said position data generator and said receiving nodes through at least one positioning order communicated thereto.

4. The arrangement as recited in claim 3, wherein said positioning order defines at least one timeslot in said uplink signal in which said position measuring data is to be transmitted.

5. The arrangement as recited in claim 3, wherein said positioning order identifies said position measuring data that is to be transmitted.

6. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said uplink signal includes training data that is further replaced by at least a portion of said position measuring data.

7. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of data bursts further include speech data, and said data generator is configured to selectively steal data by replacing at least a portion of said speech data with at least a portion of said position measuring data.

8. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said position measuring data comprises a substantially random sequence of data, said sequence of data being predetermined.

9. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said data generator is further configured to dynamically control the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal over a period of time.

10. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein said data generator is further configured to temporarily delay the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal when said uplink signal includes command signaling data.

11. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said MLC is further configured to operatively control said data generator and said receiving nodes as part of a mobile station location process during which said MLC determines said approximate geographical location of said MS.

12. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said MS is further configured to continue transmitting said uplink signal, having said position measuring data therein, over a first channel for a finite period of time following a successful handover operation in which said MS is redirected to continue transmitting said uplink signal over a second channel.

13. The arrangement as recited in claim 12, wherein said MS is further configured to continue transmitting said uplink signal, having said position measuring data therein, following a successful handover operation in response to a priority indicator provided to said MS by said MLC.

14. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said data generator is responsive to a positioning order from said MLC, said positioning order including information indicative of a burst content selected from a set of possible burst contents.

15. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one uplink signal characteristic is selected from a group of uplink signal characteristics comprising, time of arrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), and signal strength.

16. A mobile station (MS) suitable for use within a mobile telecommunications network, said MS comprising:

a processor configured to convert desired information into a plurality of coded data bursts;

a transmitter connected to said processor and configured to transmit said coded data bursts in an uplink signal;

a data generator connected to said processor and configured to selectively steal at least a portion of said uplink signal by generating position measuring data and replacing portions of said coded data bursts with at least portions of said position measuring data prior to transmission of said uplink signal by said transmitter, said position measuring data being configured to be detectable within said uplink signal by a plurality of receiving nodes.

17. The MS as recited in claim 16, wherein said data generator is configured to selectively steal data bursts by replacing at least one of said coded data bursts with a positioning burst that includes at least a portion of said position measuring data and said transmitter transmits said positioning burst in said uplink signal.

18. The MS as recited in claim 16, wherein said data generator outputs a substantially random sequence of data.

19. The MS as recited in claim 16, wherein said data generator is further configured to dynamically control the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal over a period of time.

20. The MS as recited in claim 19, wherein said data generator is further configured to temporarily delay the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal when said uplink signal includes command signaling data.

21. The MS as recited in claim 16, wherein said transmitter is further configured to continue transmitting said uplink signal, having said position measuring data therein, over a first channel for a finite period of time following a successful handover operation in which said MS is redirected to continue transmitting said uplink signal over a second channel.

22. A method for use in determining an approximate geographical location of a mobile station (MS) within a coverage area of a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of:

generating an uplink signal, having a plurality of data bursts, with a mobile station (MS);

generating position measuring data, with said MS in response to a mobile station location request;

selectively stealing at least a portion of said uplink signal by replacing at least portions of said plurality of data bursts with portions of said position measuring data;

transmitting said uplink signal, including said inserted positioning data, from said MS to a plurality of receiving nodes having known geographical locations within the coverage area of the mobile telecommunications network;

receiving said uplink signal, including said positioning data, at each of said receiving nodes and, in response, detecting said position measuring data within said received uplink signal and measuring at least one uplink signal characteristic associated with the receipt time of said detected position measuring data; and

determining an approximate geographical location of said MS based on measured uplink signal characteristic data from each of said receiving nodes.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said at least one uplink signal characteristic is selected from a group of uplink signal characteristics comprising time of arrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), and signal strength.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said step of replacing portions of said uplink signal with at least portions of said position measuring data further includes:

selectively stealing data bursts by replacing at least one of said data bursts with a positioning burst that includes at least a portion of said position measuring data.

25. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of data bursts further include speech data, and said step of replacing portions of said uplink signal with at least portions of said position measuring data further includes:

selectively stealing data within at least one of said data bursts by replacing at least a portion of said speech data with at least a portion of said position measuring data.

26. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said step of generating position measuring data further includes generating a substantially random sequence of data.

27. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said step of replacing portions of said uplink signal with at least portions of said position measuring data further includes:

dynamically controlling the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal over a period of time.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein said step of replacing portions of said uplink signal with at least portions of said position measuring data further includes:

temporarily delaying the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal when said uplink signal includes command signaling data.

29. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said uplink signal, having said position measuring data therein, over a first channel for a finite period of time following a successful handover operation in which said MS is redirected to continue transmitting said uplink signal over a second channel.

30. A method for use in a mobile station (MS) that is configurable for use within a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of:

converting desired information into a plurality of coded data bursts;

generating position measuring data; and

selectively replacing portions of said plurality of coded data bursts with at least portions of said position measuring data prior to transmission of said uplink signal, said position measuring data being configured to be detectable within said uplink signal by a plurality of receiving nodes.

31. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said step of selectively replacing portions of said plurality of coded data bursts with at least portions of said position measuring data prior to transmission of said uplink signal further includes:

selectively replacing at least one of said data bursts with a positioning burst that includes at least a portion of said position measuring data.

32. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said position measuring data includes a substantially random sequence of data.

33. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said step of selectively replacing portions of said plurality of coded data bursts with at least portions of said position measuring data prior to transmission of said uplink signal further includes:

dynamically controlling the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal over a period of time.

34. The method as recited in claim 30, wherein said step of selectively replacing portions of said plurality of coded data bursts with at least portions of said position measuring data prior to transmission of said uplink signal further includes:

temporarily delaying the timing of said position measuring data within said uplink signal when said uplink signal includes command signaling data.

35. The method as recited in claim 30, further comprising the step of:

transmitting said uplink signal, having said position measuring data therein, over a first channel for a finite period of time following a successful handover operation in which said MS is redirected to continue transmitting said uplink signal over a second channel.

36. A method for use in determining an approximate geographical location of a mobile station (MS) within a coverage area of a mobile telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of:

initializing a call set up operation between a mobile station (MS) and a receiving node;

allocating a traffic channel for use by said MS;

following allocation of said traffic channel, but prior to completing an associated call connection, generating position measuring data within said MS and selectively uplink transmitting at least one data burst having position measuring data therein, from said MS over said traffic channel to a plurality of receiving nodes having known geographical locations;

at each of said plurality of receiving nodes, measuring at least one uplink signal characteristic associated with receipt of said position measuring data; and

determining an approximate geographical location of said MS based on measured uplink signal characteristic data from each of said plurality of receiving nodes.

37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein said at least one uplink signal characteristic is selected from a group of uplink signal characteristics comprising, time of arrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), and signal strength.

38. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein a set of data bursts having position measuring data therein are sequentially uplink transmitted by said MS following allocation of said traffic channel, but prior to completing said call connection.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein said set of data bursts having position measuring data therein are sequentially uplink transmitted by said MS for a predetermined period of time following allocation of said traffic channel, after which said call connection is completed.

40. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein said predetermined period of time is at least about one second in length.

41. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein said step of generating position measuring data further includes generating a substantially random sequence of data.