Mobile positioning for location dependent services in GSM networks

Abstract

A feasible Mobile Positioning solution is often sought after by network operators and service providers alike. Location-dependent applications create a new domain of services which might not only be of interest to the next generation of mobile users but also create new potential revenue streams. Applications vary from emergency services and tracking to location-based information services, location-based billing and location-dependent advertising. Due to the shortcomings of location-related information present in GSM networks, and the lack of positioning functionality in most of the commonly sold mobile devices, a straightforward solution for mobile positioning does not currently exist. This research intends to propose cellular positioning methods which do not require any significant changes to the network or the mobile device itself, which are feasible and cost effective, and which provide sufficient accuracy for certain categories of location-based services. These techniques are based on the proper analysis of signal measurement data, probabilistic geometric computation of location areas likely to represent the user’s location, and the correlation of this data with information obtained from path loss models used in the design and planning of a mobile radio network.