Positioning of user equipment in a wireless communication network

• US 8,965,395 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2010
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Palanki, Ravi, Bhushan, Naga
• Primary Examiner(s): Rampuria, Sharad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zewari, Sayed T
• Application Number:
  US12/792,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20100311437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/457
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/021 Calibration, monitoring or correction G01S5/0252 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02521 using a radio-map
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/12 by co-ordinating position lines of different shape, e.g. hyperbolic, circular, elliptical or radial

Abstract

Techniques for supporting positioning of user equipments (UEs) with network-based measurements are described. In one design, a network entity (e.g., a location server) may obtain at least one measurement for a UE, e.g., a power headroom measurement, a spatial direction measurement, an uplink timing measurement, an uplink pilot measurement, an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or a combination thereof. The network entity may determine a location estimate for the UE based on the at least one measurement for the UE and a database of measurements for different locations, e.g., using pattern matching or interpolation. In one design, the network entity may receive measurements and locations of a plurality of UEs and may update the database based on the measurements and locations of these UEs. The database may also be updated based on measurements obtained by test UEs during test drives.

Claims

1. A method of supporting positioning, comprising:

obtaining at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE);

weighting the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement; and

determining a location estimate for the UE based on a comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against a database of wireless network signal measurements made for different locations,

wherein the determining the location estimate comprises;

comparing the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in the database,

identifying a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

performing interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

providing the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing comprises

comparing the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against the wireless network signal measurements for the plurality of locations in the database based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) criterion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE comprises wireless network signal measurements of a plurality of types, and wherein the determining the location estimate comprises

scaling the wireless network signal measurements of the plurality of types with a plurality of weights to obtain weighted wireless network signal measurements, and

determining the location estimate for the UE based on the weighted wireless network signal measurements.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE comprises wireless network signal measurements of different confidence levels, and wherein the determining the location estimate comprises

scaling the wireless network signal measurements of different confidence levels with different weights to obtain weighted wireless network signal measurements, and

determining the location estimate for the UE based on the weighted wireless network signal measurements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement is made by the UE and reported to a network entity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement is made by at least one base station based on an uplink signal from the UE.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement comprises a power headroom measurement, or a spatial direction measurement, or a downlink timing measurement, or a downlink pilot measurement, or an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or an uplink timing measurement, or an uplink pilot measurement, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving wireless network signal measurements and locations of a plurality of UEs; and

updating the database based on the wireless network signal measurements and the locations of the plurality of UEs.

9. An apparatus for supporting positioning, comprising:

means for obtaining at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE);

means for weighting the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement; and

means for determining a location estimate for the UE based on a comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against a database of wireless network signal measurements made for different locations,

wherein the means for determining the location estimate comprises;

means for comparing the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in the database,

means for identifying a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

means for performing interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

means for providing the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

means for receiving wireless network signal measurements and locations of a plurality of UEs; and

means for updating the database based on the wireless network signal measurements and the locations of the plurality of UEs.

11. An apparatus for supporting positioning, comprising:

at least one processor configured

to obtain at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE),

to weight the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement, and

to determine a location estimate for the UE based on a comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against a database of wireless network signal measurements made for different locations,

wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the location estimate comprises the at least one processor being configured;

to compare the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in the database,

to identify a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

to perform interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

to provide the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive wireless network signal measurements and locations of a plurality of UEs, and to update the database based on the wireless network signal measurements and the locations of the plurality of UEs.

13. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to obtain at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE),

code for causing the at least one computer to weight the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement; and

code for causing the at least one computer to determine a location estimate for the UE based on a comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against a database of wireless network signal measurements made for different locations,

wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to determine the location estimate comprises;

code for causing the at least one computer to compare the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in the database,

code for causing the at least one computer to identify a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

code for causing the at least one computer to perform interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

code for causing the at least one computer to provide the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

14. A method of supporting positioning, comprising:

obtaining at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE);

sending the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE to a network entity;

weighting the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement; and

receiving a location estimate for the UE from the network entity, the location estimate being based on;

comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

identification of a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

interpolation of the identified plurality of locations, and

provision of the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement comprises a power headroom measurement, or a spatial direction measurement, or a downlink timing measurement, or a downlink pilot measurement, or an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

using the location estimate for the UE for a location-based service.

17. An apparatus for supporting positioning, comprising:

means for obtaining at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE);

means for sending the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE to a network entity;

means for weighting the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement; and

means for receiving a location estimate for the UE from the network entity, the location estimate being based on;

comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

identification of a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

interpolation of the identified plurality of locations, and

provision of the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement comprises a power headroom measurement, or a spatial direction measurement, or a downlink timing measurement, or a downlink pilot measurement, or an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or a combination thereof.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

means for using the location estimate for the UE for a location-based service.

20. An apparatus for supporting positioning, comprising:

at least one processor configured

to obtain at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE),

to send the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE to a network entity,

to weight the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement, and

to receive a location estimate for the UE from the network entity, the location estimate being based on;

comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

identification of a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

interpolation of the identified plurality of locations, and

provision of the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor is configured to use the location estimate for the UE for a location-based service.

22. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to obtain at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE),

code for causing the at least one computer to send the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE to a network entity,

code for causing the at least one computer to weight the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement; and

code for causing the at least one computer to receive a location estimate for the UE from the network entity, the location estimate being based on;

comparison of the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

identification of a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

interpolation of the identified plurality of locations, and

provision of the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE.

23. A method of supporting positioning, comprising:

weighting at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE), based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement;

estimating a location of the user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the weighted version of at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, wherein the estimating comprises;

comparing the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

identifying a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

performing interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

providing the interpolated location as the location for the UE; and

sending the at least one wireless network signal measurement and the location of the UE to a network entity to populate the database.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement comprises a power headroom measurement, or a spatial direction measurement, or a downlink timing measurement, or a downlink pilot measurement, or an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or a combination thereof.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the estimating the location of the UE further comprises determining the location of the UE using satellite-based positioning.

26. An apparatus for supporting positioning, comprising:

means for weighting at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE), based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement;

means for estimating a location of the user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the weighted version of at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, wherein the means for estimating the location comprises;

means for comparing the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

means for identifying a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

means for performing interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

means for providing the interpolated location as the location for the UE; and

means for sending the at least one wireless network signal measurement and the location of the UE to a network entity to populate the database.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the at least one wireless network signal measurement comprises a power headroom measurement, or a spatial direction measurement, or a downlink timing measurement, or a downlink pilot measurement, or an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or a combination thereof.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for estimating the location of the UE further comprises means for the location of the UE using satellite-based positioning.

29. An apparatus for supporting positioning, comprising:

at least one processor configured;

to weight at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE), based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement,

to estimate a location of the user equipment (UE), based at least in part on the weighted version of at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, wherein the at least one processor configured to estimate the location comprises the at least one processor being configured;

to compare the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

to identify a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

to perform interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

to provide the interpolated location as the location for the UE; and

to send the at least one wireless network signal measurement and the location of the UE to a network entity to populate the database.

30. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to weight at least one wireless network signal measurement for a user equipment (UE), based at least in part on a type of the at least one wireless network signal measurement;

code for causing the at least one computer to estimate a location of the user equipment (UE) based at least in part on the weighted version of at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to estimate the location comprises;

code for causing the at least one computer to compare the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE against wireless network signal measurements for a plurality of locations in a database,

code for causing the at least one computer to identify a plurality of locations associated with wireless network signal measurements most closely matching the weighted version of the at least one wireless network signal measurement for the UE,

code for causing the at least one computer to perform interpolation on the identified plurality of locations, and

code for causing the at least one computer to provide the interpolated location as the location estimate for the UE; and

code for causing the at least one computer to send the at least one wireless network signal measurement and the location of the UE to a network entity to populate the database.