System and method of operation for network overlay geolocation system with repeaters

• US 7,925,205 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Beck, Andrew, Gravely, Thomas B., Carlson, John Peter, Kennedy, Jr., Joseph P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay A
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEREZ, ANGELICA
• Application Number:
  US10/550,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20070129085A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,398 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/456.2, 455/11.1, 455/13.4, 370/315
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0205 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0273 using multipath or indirect path propagation signals in position determination
• 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: H04B 17/27 for locating or positioning the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A novel system and method for a network overlay geolocation system operating in a host wireless communication system with repeaters is disclosed. Embodiments of the novel system and method enable wireless communication system to determine if signals being received by system receivers arrive directly from a target mobile appliance or if the signals are passing through a repeater. The system'"'"'s determination may be based at least in part on the TA of the signal, the power of the received signal, the power of the transmitted signal, the hearabiltiy of the signal at system receivers, the hearabiltiy of system transmitters at the mobile and the known delays associated with the repeaters. Embodiments of the novel system and method provide a more accurate geolocation of mobiles served by repeater stations than capable in the prior art.

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system having at least one repeater and a geolocation system for determining the location of a mobile appliance by measuring an attribute of the mobile appliance'"'"'s uplink signal, a method of determining if the uplink signal is received directly from the mobile appliance or via the at least one repeater, comprising:

estimating the location of the mobile appliance by the geolocation system;

determining an accuracy of the estimate;

determining if a Timing Advance (TA) of the uplink signal can be associated with the Equivalent Propagation Distance (EPD) of the at least one repeater,

determining which receivers have received the uplink signal;

determining which transmitted signals are received by the mobile appliance;

determining the relationship between the power of the received signals and the power at which the mobile appliance transmitted the uplink signal;

determining at least one figure of merit based on two or more of the accuracy of the estimate, the TA of the uplink signal, the equivalent propagation distance, the receivers receiving the uplink signal, the transmitted signals received by the mobile appliance, the power of the received signal, and the power at which the mobile appliance transmitted the uplink signal; and

,

comparing the at least one figure of merit to at least one or more threshold values to determine whether the uplink signal is received directly from the mobile appliance or from the at least one repeater.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising quantifying the accuracy of the estimate;

the association of the TA and the EPD;

the receivers receiving the uplink signal;

the transmitted signals received by the mobile appliance and the relationship of the received power and the transmitted power to the TA.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining at least one figure of merit is based on the quantifications.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the quantification of the accuracy of the estimate is d1, the quantification of the association of the TA and the EPD is d2, the quantification of the receivers receiving the uplink signal is d3, the quantification of the transmitted signals received by the mobile appliance is d4 and the quantification of the relationship of the received power and the transmitted power to the TA is d5;

and, wherein the figure of merit is a function of d1, d2, d3, d4, and d5.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the figure of merit is M=5√

{square root over (d₁d₂d₃d₄d₅)}.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the location of the repeater if the uplink signal is determined to be from the repeater as the location of the mobile appliance.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the estimate of the location if the uplink signal is determined to be directly from the mobile appliance as the location of the mobile appliance.