Method for providing network-based measurements for user equipment-based positioning

• US 9,602,990 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Fischer, Sven, Edge, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US13/442,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20120258733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,807 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/445
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/04 Position of source determined by a plurality of spaced direction-finders
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/085 involving different upper layer protocol versions, e.g. LCS - SUPL or WSN-SOA-WSDP

Abstract

The subject matter disclosed herein relates in one particular implementation to a method, apparatus, and/or system for acquiring one or more network-based measurements at a location server from a radio access network serving a user equipment (UE). A first message may be transmitted to the UE from the location server, where the first message comprises at least one of the one or more network-based measurements. A location of the UE is capable of being determined by the UE-based at least in part on the one or more network-based measurements.

Claims

1. A method for performing location services, comprising:

acquiring one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements, at a location server, of signals transmitted by a target user equipment (UE) to a radio access network serving the target UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within the radio access network; and

transmitting a first message to the target UE, from the location server, the first message comprising at least one of the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements;

wherein a location of the target UE is capable of being estimated by the target UE based at least in part on the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a second message at the location server from the target UE requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Request Location Information message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second message comprises a request for a periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising transmitting the first message periodically or at least partially in response to the at least one of the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements changing by at least a threshold amount relative to one or more previously reported network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising notifying the target UE of capabilities of the location server to provide the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements prior to receiving the second message from the target UE.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transmitting the capabilities of the location server to the target UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one base station.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one Location measurement Unit (LMU).

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one WiFi Access Point.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the location server of capabilities of the target UE wherein the capabilities of the target UE indicate a capability of the target UE to use the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise one or more Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)-based signal measurements.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise one or more Long Term Evolution (LTE) based signal measurements.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the location server comprises at least one of a Standalone Serving Mobile Location Center (SAS), an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC), or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP).

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the radio access network comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements are acquired using Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol Annex (LPPa).

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise at least a first network-based signal measurement obtained from a first network device and a second network-based signal measurement obtained from a second network device.

21. A location server, comprising:

a receiver to receive one or more messages;

a transmitter to transmit one or more messages; and

a processor to;

process one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements obtained from signals transmitted by a target user equipment (UE) to a radio access network serving the target UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within the radio access network, and

initiate transmission of a first message to the target UE comprising at least one of the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

22. The location server of claim 21, wherein the processor is further capable of processing a second message received from the target UE requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

23. The location server of claim 22, wherein second message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Request Location Information message.

24. The location server of claim 22, wherein the second message comprises a request for a periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

25. The location server of claim 22, wherein the processor is further capable of initiating transmission, via the transmitter, of the first message periodically or at least partially in response to the at least one of the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements changing by at least a threshold amount relative to one or more previously reported measurements.

26. The location server of claim 22, wherein the processor is further capable of initiating transmission of a message to the target UE to notify the target UE of capabilities of the location server to provide the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements prior to receiving the second message from the target UE.

27. The location server of claim 26, wherein the capabilities of the location server are transmitted to the target UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

28. The location server of claim 21, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

29. The location server of claim 21, wherein one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

30. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

31. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

32. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one base station.

33. The location server of claim 21, wherein the processor is further capable of processing a message notifying the location server of capabilities of the target UE, wherein the capabilities of the target UE indicate a capability of the target UE to use the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

34. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise one or more Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)-based signal measurements.

35. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one Location measurement Unit (LMU).

36. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one WiFi Access Point.

37. The location server of claim 21, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise one or more Long Term Evolution (LTE) based signal measurements.

38. The location server of claim 21, wherein the location server comprises at least one of a Standalone Serving Mobile Location Center (SAS), an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC), or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP).

39. The location server of claim 21, wherein the radio access network comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements are acquired using Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol Annex (LPPa).

40. An apparatus, comprising:

means for acquiring one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements, at a location server, of signals transmitted by a target user equipment (UE) to a radio access network serving the target UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within the radio access network; and

means for transmitting a first message to the target UE comprising at least one of the one of the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising means for processing a second message received from the target UE requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the second message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Request Location Information message.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the second message comprises a request for a periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the means for transmitting is capable of transmitting a message to the target UE to notify the target UE of capabilities of the apparatus to provide the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements prior to receiving the second message from the target UE.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the capabilities of the apparatus are transmitted to the target UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

46. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

47. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

48. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

49. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

50. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the means for transmitting is capable of transmitting the first message periodically or at least partially in response to the at least one of the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements changing by at least a threshold amount relative to a one or more previously reported measurements.

51. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one base station.

52. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise one or more Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)-based signal measurements.

53. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a Standalone Serving Mobile Location Center (SAS), an Evolved Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC), or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP).

54. An article comprising:

a non-transitory storage medium having machine-readable instructions stored thereon which are executable by a special purpose computing apparatus to;

process, at a location server, one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements of signals transmitted by a target user equipment (UE) to a radio access network serving the target UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within the radio access network, wherein the signal measurements include at least a round trip time measurement; and

initiate transmission of a first message to the target UE comprising at least one of the round trip time measurement.

55. The article of claim 54, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to process a second message received from the target UE based at least in part on the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

56. The article of claim 55, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to initiate transmission of a message to notify the target UE of capabilities of a location server to provide the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements prior to receiving the second message from the target UE.

57. The article of claim 56, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to initiate transmission of the capabilities of the location server to the target UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

58. A method, at a target user equipment (UE), comprising:

receiving a first message from a location server comprising one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements of signals transmitted by the target UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within the radio access network; and

determining a location of the target UE based at least in part on the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising transmitting a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the second message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Request Location Information message.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the second message comprises a request for periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

62. The method of claim 59, further comprising receiving capabilities of the location server to provide the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements prior to transmitting the second message to the location server.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising receiving the capabilities of the location server from the location server via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

64. The method of claim 58, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

65. The method of claim 58, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

66. The method of claim 58, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

67. The method of claim 58, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

68. The method of claim 58, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one base station.

69. The method of claim 58, further comprising notifying the location server of capabilities of the target UE, wherein the capabilities of the target UE indicate a capability of the target UE to use the one of more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

70. The method of claim 58, further comprising combining the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements with target UE-based signal measurements to estimate a location of the target UE.

71. A target user equipment (UE), comprising:

a transmitter to transmit one or more messages;

a receiver to receive one or more messages; and

a processor to;

process a first message received from a location server, the first message comprising one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements of signals transmitted by the UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within a radio access network, wherein the signal measurements include at least a round trip time measurement; and

estimate a location of the target UE based at least in part on the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

72. The target UE of claim 71, wherein the processor is capable of initiating transmission of a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

73. The target UE of claim 71, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one base station.

74. The target UE of claim 71, wherein the processor is capable of combining the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements with target UE-based signal measurements to estimate a location of the target UE.

75. A target user equipment (UE), comprising:

means for receiving a first message from a location server comprising one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements of signals transmitted by the target UE, wherein the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within a radio access network; and

means for estimating a location of the target UE based at least in part on the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

76. The target UE of claim 75, further comprising means for initiating transmission of a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

77. The target UE of claim 75, wherein the one or more network elements include at least one base station.

78. The target UE of claim 75, further comprising a means for combining the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements with target UE-based signal measurements to estimate a location of the target UE.

79. An article comprising:

a non-transitory storage medium having machine-readable instructions stored thereon which are executable by a special purpose computing apparatus to process a first message received at a target user equipment (UE) from the location server, the first message comprising one or more network-based timing or Angle of Arrival (AOA) signal measurements of signals transmitted by the target UE, wherein the network-based timing or AOA signal measurements include signal measurements made by one or more network elements within a radio access network; and

means for estimating a location of the target UE based at least in part on the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

80. The article of claim 79, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to initiate transmission of a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements.

81. The article of claim 79, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to combine the one or more network-based timing or AOA signal measurements with target UE-based signal measurements to estimate a location of the target UE.