Systems and methods for providing GPS time and assistance in a communications network

• US 7,009,948 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2000
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Koorapaty, Havish, Carlsson, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mills, Donald L
• Application Number:
  US09/679,360
• Time in Patent Office: 1,979 Days
• Field of Search: 370/322, 370/326, 370/329, 370/335, 370/336, 370/342, 370/343, 370/345, 342/357.06, 342/357.12
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/25 involving aiding data received from a cooperating element, e.g. assisted GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method for performing a position fix by a mobile terminal camped on a packet control channel is provided. The method includes transmitting a request for Global Positioning System (GPS) assistance data via the packet control channel and receiving the requested assistance data via the packet control channel. The method also includes performing the position fix using the received assistance data.

Claims

1. A device in a wireless communication network, comprising:

a memory that stores instructions and a Global Positioning System (GPS) time; and

a processor that executes the instructions to;

receive a request to measure time, the request comprising at least one of a first control channel identity, the first control channel being a channel from which GPS assistance data is available, a first flag indicating that one or more other first control channels are to be measured, a second control channel identity, the second control channel being a channel from which GPS assistance data is unavailable, and a second flag indicating that at least one other second control channel is to be measured,

read, when the request comprises a first control channel identity, time information on the identified first control channel,

switch to each of the one or more other first control channels when the request comprises the first flag,

read, after switching to a respective other first control channel, time information on the other first control channel,

switch to the identified second control channel when the request comprises a second control channel identity,

read, after switching to the identified second control channel, time information on the identified second control channel,

switch to each of the at least one other second control channel when the request comprises the second flag,

read, after switching to a respective other second control channel, time information on the other second control channel, and

determine a relationship between the GPS time and the time information read from the identified first control channel, the one or more other first control channels, the identified second channel, and the at least one other second control channel.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the request comprises a third flag indicating that a GPS time is to be determined,

wherein the processor determines a new GPS time in response to the request comprising the third flag, and

wherein, when determining a relationship between the GPS time and the time information read from the identified first control channel, the one or more other first control channels, the identified second control channel, and the at least one other second control channel, the processor determines a relationship between the new GPS time and the time information read from the identified first control channel, the one or more other first control channels, the identified second control channel, and the at least one other second control channel.

3. A method for measuring time in a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving a request to measure time, the request comprising one or more of a first control channel identity, the first control channel being a channel from which Global Positioning System (GPS) assistance data is available, a first flag indicating that one or more other first control channels are to be measured, a second control channel identity, the second control channel being a channel from which GPS assistance data is unavailable, and a second flag indicating that at least one other second control channel is to be measured;

reading, when the request comprises a first control channel identity, time information on the identified first control channel;

switching to each of the one or more other first control channels when the request comprises the first flag;

reading, after switching to a respective other first control channel, time information on the respective other first control channel;

switching to the identified second control channel when the request comprises a second control channel identity;

reading, after switching to the identified second control channel, time information on the identified second control channel;

switching to each of the at least one other second control channel when the request comprises the second flag;

reading, after switching to a respective other second control channel, time information on the other second control channel;

determining a relationship between the time read on each of the identified first control channel, the one or more other first control channels, the identified second control channel, and the at least one other second control channel and a Global Positioning System (GPS) time; and

transmitting the relationships.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the request comprises a third flag indicating that GPS time is to be measured, and

wherein the method further comprises:

determining a new GPS time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the determining a relationship between the time read on each of the identified first control channel, the one or more other first control channels, the identified second control channel, and the at least one other second control channel and a GPS time comprises:

determining a relationship between the time read on each of the identified first control channel, the one or more other first control channels, the identified second control channel, and the at least one other second control channel and the new GPS time.