METHOD FOR PROVIDING NETWORK-BASED MEASUREMENTS FOR USER EQUIPMENT-BASED POSITIONING

• US 20120258733A1
• Filed: 04/09/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Fischer, Sven, Edge, Stephen W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,602,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• 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 measurements at a location server from a radio access network serving a user equipment (UE); and

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

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

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a second message at the location server from the UE requesting the one or more network-based 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 1, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

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

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

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

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise an Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) measurement.

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

10. 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 measurements changing by at least a threshold amount relative to one or more previously reported network-based measurements.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a base station.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a Location measurement Unit (LMU).

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a WiFi Access Point.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a radio access network.

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

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying the location server of capabilities of the UE wherein the one or more network-based measurements are indicated in the capabilities.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising transmitting the capabilities of the location server to the UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

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

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

20. 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).

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

22. 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 measurements obtained from a radio access network serving a user equipment (UE); and

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

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

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

25. The location server of claim 22, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

26. The location server of claim 22, wherein one or more network-based measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

27. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

28. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

29. The location server of claim 23, wherein the second message comprises a request for a periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

30. The location server of claim 23, 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 measurements changing by at least a threshold amount relative to one or more previously reported measurements.

31. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a base station.

32. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a radio access network.

33. The location server of claim 23, wherein the processor is further capable of initiating transmission of a message to the UE to notify the UE of capabilities of the location server to provide the one or more network-based measurements prior to receiving the second message from the UE.

34. The location server of claim 22, wherein the processor is further capable of processing a message notifying the location server of capabilities of the UE, wherein the one or more network-based measurements are indicated in the capabilities.

35. The location server of claim 33, wherein the capabilities of the location server are transmitted to the UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

36. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)-based measurements.

37. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise an Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) measurement.

38. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a Location measurement Unit (LMU).

39. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a WiFi Access Point.

40. The location server of claim 22, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more Long Term Evolution (LTE) based measurements.

41. The location server of claim 22, 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).

42. The location server of claim 22, wherein the radio access network comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and the one or more network based measurements are acquired using Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol Annex (LPPa).

43. An apparatus, comprising:

means for acquiring one or more network-based measurements at a location server from a radio access network serving a user equipment (UE); and

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

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for processing a second message received from the UE requesting the one or more network-based measurements.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Request Location Information message.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, 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 43, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

49. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

50. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second message comprises a request for a periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

51. The apparatus of claim 43, 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 measurements changing by at least a threshold amount relative to a one or more previously reported measurements.

52. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a base station.

53. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a radio access network.

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

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the capabilities of the apparatus are transmitted to the UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

56. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)-based measurements.

57. The apparatus of claim 43, 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).

58. 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 measurements received from a radio access network serving a user equipment (UE); and

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

59. The article of claim 58, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to process a second message received from the UE-based at least in part on the one or more network-based measurements.

60. The article of claim 59, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to initiate transmission of a message to notify the UE of capabilities of a location server to provide the one or more network-based measurements prior to receiving the second message from the UE.

61. The article of claim 60, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to initiate transmission of the capabilities of the location server to the UE via an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Capabilities message.

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

receiving a first message from a location server comprising one or more network-based measurements; and

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

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising transmitting a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based measurements.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the second message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Request Location Information message.

65. The method of claim 62, wherein the first message comprises an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol extensions (LPPe) Provide Location Information message.

66. The method of claim 62, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise a round trip time measurement.

67. The method of claim 62, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise a transmitter (Tx)-receiver (Rx) time difference measurement.

68. The method of claim 62, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise an Uplink Time (Difference) Of Arrival measurement.

69. The method of claim 63, wherein the second message comprises a request for periodic or event triggered network measurement delivery.

70. The method of claim 62, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a base station.

71. The method of claim 62, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a radio access network.

72. The method of claim 63, further comprising receiving capabilities of the location server to provide the one or more network-based measurements prior to transmitting the second message to the location server.

73. The method of claim 72, 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.

74. The method of claim 62, further comprising notifying the location server of capabilities of the UE, wherein the one of more network-based measurements are indicated in the capabilities.

75. The method of claim 62, further comprising combining the one or more network-based measurements with UE-based measurements to estimate a location of the UE.

76. 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 of one or more network-based measurements; and

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

77. The UE of claim 76, wherein the processor is capable of initiating transmission of a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based measurements.

78. The UE of claim 76, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a base station.

79. The UE of claim 76, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a radio access network.

80. The UE of claim 76, wherein the processor is capable of combining the one or more network-based measurements with UE-based measurements to estimate a location of the UE.

81. User equipment (UE), comprising:

means for receiving a first message from a location server comprising one or more network-based measurements; and

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

82. The UE of claim 81, further comprising means for initiating transmission of a second message to the location server requesting the one or more network-based measurements.

83. The UE of claim 81, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a base station.

84. The UE of claim 81, wherein the one or more network-based measurements comprise one or more measurements from a radio access network.

85. The UE of claim 81, further comprising a means for combining the one or more network-based measurements with UE-based measurements to estimate a location of the UE.

86. 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 user equipment (UE) from the location server, the first message comprising at least one of the one or more network-based measurements; and

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

87. The article of claim 86, 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 measurements.

88. The article of claim 86, wherein the instructions are further executable by the special purpose computing apparatus to combine the one or more network-based measurements with UE-based measurements to estimate a location of the UE.