Base station for distance determination

[0002] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/274,081, filed Mar. 22, 1999.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] This invention generally relates to spread spectrum code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method that determines the geographic location of a subscriber unit within a CDMA communication system.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] Wireless systems capable of locating a subscriber are presently known in the art. One wireless technique uses the global positioning system (GPS). In GPS, the communication handset receives data transmitted continuously from the 24 NAVSTAR satellites. Each satellite transmits data indicating the satellite's identity, the location of the satellite and the time the message was sent. The handset compares the time each signal was received with the time it was sent to determine the distance to each satellite. Using the determined distances between the satellites and the handset along with the location of each satellite, the handset can triangulate its location and provide the information to a communication base station. However, the incorporation of a GPS within a subscriber unit increases its cost.

[0007] Another subscriber location technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,354. A mobile telephone using time division multiple access (TDMA) as the air interface is located within a plurality of base stations. The mobile telephone measures the received signal strength from each of the base stations and transmits each strength to each respective base station. At a mobile switching center, the received signal strengths from the base stations are compared and processed. The result yields the distance between the mobile telephone and each base station. From these distances, the location of the mobile telephone is calculated.

[0008] Wireless communication systems using spread spectrum modulation techniques are increasing in popularity. In code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, data is transmitted using a wide bandwidth (spread spectrum) by modulating the data with a pseudo random chip code sequence. The advantage gained is that CDMA systems are more resistant to signal distortion and interfering frequencies in the transmission path than communication systems using the more common time division multiple access (TDMA) or frequency division multiple access (FDMA) techniques.

[0009] There exists a need for an accurate mobile subscriber unit location system that uses data already available in an existing CDMA communication system.

[0010] A base station transmits a first spread spectrum signal having a first code. It receives and analyzes an impulse response of multipath components of a second spread spectrum signal having a second code to determine a first received component. The second signal is time synchronized with the first spread spectrum signal. A distance determination is made based on in part a timing difference between the second code of the received second signal and the first code of the base station's transmitted first signal and the determined first received components for that base station's received second signal.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a simplified, prior art CDMA system.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a prior art CDMA system.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of major components within a prior art CDMA system,

[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of components within a prior art CDMA system.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a global pilot signal and an assigned pilot signal being communicated between a base station and a subscriber unit.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention using at least three base stations.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an illustration of locating a subscriber unit using the first embodiment of the present invention with at least three base stations.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention showing components used in a subscriber unit.

[0019] FIG. 9 is an illustration of locating a subscriber unit using the second embodiment of the present invention with two base stations.

[0020] FIG. 10 is an illustration of locating a subscriber unit using the second embodiment of the present invention with more than two base stations.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a detailed illustration of the third embodiment of the present invention having a base station with multiple antennas.

[0022] FIG. 12 is an illustration of the third embodiment having a base station with multiple antennas.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of components used in the third embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 14 is an illustration of multipath.

[0025] FIG. 15 is a graph of a typical impulse response of multipath components.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of components within a fourth embodiment correcting for multipath.

[0027] The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout.

[0028] Shown in FIG. 1 is a simplified CDMA communication system. A data signal with a given bandwidth is mixed with a spreading code generated by a pseudo random chip code sequence generator producing a digital spread spectrum signal. Upon reception, the data is reproduced after correlation with the same pseudo random chip code sequence used to transmit the data. Every other signal within the transmission bandwidth appears as noise to the signal being despread.

[0029] For timing synchronization with a receiver, an unmodulated pilot signal is required for every transmitter. The pilot signal allows respective receivers to synchronize with a given transmitter, allowing despreading of a traffic signal at the receiver.

[0030] In a typical CDMA system, base stations send global pilot signals to all subscriber units within their communicating range to synchronize transmissions in a forward direction. Additionally, in some CDMA systems, for example a B-CDMA™ system, each subscriber unit sends a unique assigned pilot signal to synchronize transmissions in a reverse direction.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a CDMA communication system 30. The communication system 30 comprises a plurality of base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. Each base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nis in wireless communication with a plurality of subscriber units 40₁, 40₂. . . 40_n, which may be fixed or mobile. Each subscriber unit 40₁, 40₂. . . 40_ncommunicates with either the closest base station 36₁or the base station 36₁which provides the strongest communication signal. Each base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nis in communication with other components within the communication system 30 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0032] A local exchange 32 is at the center of the communications system 30 and communicates with a plurality of network interface units (NIUs) 34₁, 34₂. . . 34_n. Each NIU is in communication with a plurality of radio carrier stations (RCS) 38₁, 38₂. . . 38_nor base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. Each (RCS) 38₁, 38₂. . . 38_nor base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_ncommunicates with a plurality of subscriber units 40₁, 40₂. . . 40_nwithin its communicating range.

[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of the pertinent parts of an existing spread spectrum CDMA communication system. Each independent base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_ngenerates a unique global pilot signal using a global pilot chip code generating means 42₁and spread spectrum processing means 44₁. The global pilot chip code generating means 42₁generates a unique pseudo random chip code sequence. The unique pseudo random chip code sequence is used to spread the resultant signals bandwidth such as to 15 MHZ as used in the B-CDMA™ air interface. The spread spectrum processing means modulates the global pilot chip code sequence up to a desired center frequency. The global pilot signal is transmitted to all subscriber units 40₁by the base station's transmitter 46₁.

[0034] A receiver 48₁at a subscriber unit 40₁receives available signals from a plurality of base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. As shown in FIG. 5, the global pilot 50₁travels from the base station 36₁to the subscriber unit 40_nand can be represented as: $\begin{array}{cc}{\tau }_I=\frac{d_1}{c}.& \mathrm{Equation}\left(1\right)\end{array}$

[0035] The time the signal travels from the base station 36₁to the subscriber unit 40₁, τ₁, equals the distance between the base station 36₁and subscriber unit 40₁, d₁, divided by the speed of light, c.

[0036] Referring back to FIG. 4, a global pilot chip code recovery means 54₁within the subscriber unit 40₁can receive global pilot chip code sequences from a plurality of base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. The subscriber unit 40₁generates a replica of a global pilot chip code sequence and synchronizes the generated replica's timing with the received global pilot 50₁. The subscriber unit 40₁also has a processor 82₁to perform the many analysis functions of the subscriber unit 40₁.

[0037] The subscriber unit 40₁generates an assigned pilot signal 52₁using assigned pilot chip code generating means 56₁and spread spectrum processing means 58₁. The assigned pilot chip code generating means 56₁generates a pseudo random chip code sequence with its timing synchronized with the recovered global pilot chip code sequence. As a result, the assigned pilot chip code sequence is delayed by τ₁with respect to the base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. The spread spectrum processing means 58₁generates the assigned pilot signal 52₁by modulating the assigned pilot chip code sequence up to a desired center frequency. The assigned pilot signal 52₁is transmitted to all base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nwithin range to receive the assigned pilot signal 52₁.

[0038] The base station 36₁receives the assigned pilot signal 52₁with the base station's receiver 62₁. The received assigned pilot 52₁travels the same distance d₁as the global pilot signal 50₁as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the received assigned pilot signal will be delayed by τ₁with respect to the mobile unit 40₁and by 2τ₁with respect to the global pilot 50₁generated at the base station 36₁.

[0039] Since the chip code sequence of the assigned pilot 52₁received at the base station 36₁will be delayed by 2τ₁with respect to the chip code sequence of the global pilot signal 50₁generated at the base station 36₁, the round trip propagation delay, 2τ₁, can be determined by comparing the timing of the two chip code sequences. Using the round trip propagation delay, 2τ₁, the distance d₁between the base station 36₁and subscriber unit 40₁can be determined by: $\begin{array}{cc}{d}_I=c·\frac{2{\tau }_I}{2}.& \mathrm{Equation}\left(2\right)\end{array}$

[0040] If a spreading sequence having a chipping rate of at least 80 ns is used and the communication system has the ability to track {fraction (1/16)}^thof a chip, the distance d₁can be measured to within 2 meters.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. No additional hardware is required in the subscriber unit 40₁. The only changes are implemented by software within the subscriber unit's processor 82₁and the processors 66₁, 66₂. . . 66_n, 68, 70₁, 70₂. . . 70_nlocated within the base station 36₁, NIU 34₁or Local Exchange 32₁, Precincts 74₁, 74₂. . . 74_nand Ambulance Dispatcher 76.

[0042] The subscriber unit 40₁is sent a signal by a base station 36₁indicating that a 911 call was initiated and to begin the subscriber location protocol. Upon receipt, the subscriber unit 40₁will sequentially synchronize its transmission chip code sequence to at least three base stations' chip code sequences. To allow reception by the base stations 36₂, 36₃. . . 36_noutside of the subscriber unit's normal communicating range, these transmissions will be sent at a higher than normal power level temporarily over-riding any adaptive power control algorithms.

[0043] A processor 66₁within each base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nis coupled to the assigned pilot chip code recovery means 64₁and the global pilot chip code generator 42₁. The processor 66₁compares the two chip code sequences to determine the round trip propagation delay τ₁, τ₂. . . τ_nand the respective distance d₁, d₂. . . d_n, between the subscriber unit 40₁and the respective base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. Within either a NIU 34₁or the local exchange 32, a processor 68 receives the distances d₁, d₂. . . d₁, from the processors 66₁, 66₂. . . 66_nwithin all the base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. The processor 68 uses the distances d₁, d₂. . . d_n, to determine the location of the subscriber unit 40₁as follows.

[0044] By using the known longitude and latitude from three base stations 36₁, 36₂, 36₃and distances d₁, d₂, d₃, the location of the subscriber unit 40₁is determined. As shown in FIG. 7 by using the three distances d₁, d₂, d₃, three circles 78₁, 78₂, 78₃with radiae 80₁, 80₂, 80₃are constructed. Each circle 78₁, 78₂, 78₃is centered around a respective base station 36₁, 36₂, 36₃. The intersection of the three circles 78₁, 78₂, 78₃is at the location of the subscriber unit 40₁.

[0045] Using the Cartesian coordinates, the longitude and latitude corresponding with each base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nis represented as X_n, Y_n, where X_nis the longitude and Y_nis the latitude. If X, Y represents the location of the subscriber unit 40₁, using the distance formula the following equations result:

[0046] (X₁−X)²+(Y₁−Y)²=d₁²  Equation (3)

[0047] (X₂−X)²+(Y₂−Y)²=d₂²  Equation (4)

[0048] (X₃−X)²+(Y₃−Y)²=d₃²  Equation (5)

[0049] In practice due to small errors in calculating the distances d₁, d₂, d₃, Equations 3, 4 and 5 cannot be solved using conventional algebra. To compensate for the errors, a maximum likelihood estimation is used to determine the location and are well known to those skilled in the art. For increased accuracy, additional base stations 36₄, 36₅. . . 36_ncan be used to calculate additional distances for inclusion in the estimation analysis.

[0050] The subscriber unit's location is sent through the communication system 30 to at least one precinct 74₁, 74₂. . . 74_nand an ambulance dispatcher 76. A processor 70₁within each precinct 74₁, 74₂. . . 74_nand the ambulance dispatcher 76 receives the location of all 911 calls originating in the system and displays the location on a conventional computer monitor 72₁. The display comprises a listing of all 911 calls and addresses on a geographic map.

[0051] An alternate approach reduces the number of processors by transmitting raw data through the communication system 30 and processing the raw data at a single site.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a second embodiment of a location system. At least two base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nhave their internal timing synchronized with each other and transmit their respective global pilot signals 52₁, 52₂. . . 52_nwith time synchronized chip code sequences. The subscriber unit 40₁receives the global pilots 52₁, 52₂. . . 52_n. However, the received global pilots 52₁, 52₂. . . 52_nare not synchronized. The global pilot 52₂from a first base station 36₁will travel distance d₁and is delayed by τ₁. The global pilot 52₂from a second base station 36₂travels distance d₂and is delayed by τ₂. The subscriber unit 40₁recovers each base station's global pilot chip code sequence with its global pilot chip code recovery means 54₁. A processor 82₁within the subscriber unit 40₁is coupled to each global pilot chip code recovery means 54₁, 52₂. . . 54_n. The processor 82₁compares the chip code sequences of each pair of pilot chip code sequences and calculates the time differences Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_nbetween the sequences as follows.

[0053] Within the subscriber unit 40₁, the chip code sequences used by each base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nare stored. After synchronizing with the first base station's pilot 36₁, the processor 82₁will store where within the sequence synchronization was obtained. This process is repeated for the other base stations 36₂, 36₃. . . 36_n. The synchronization process can be done sequentially (synchronizing to the first base station's chip code sequence then the second, etc.) or in parallel (synchronizing to all base stations at the same time).

[0054] By using the relative time difference between τ₁, τ₂, . . . τ_neach base station's chip code sequence and knowing that each base station's pilot was sent at the same time, with two base stations the time differences are calculated as follows:

[0055] Δt₁=τ₂−τ₁  Equation (6)

[0056] Δt₂=τ₃−τ₂  Equation (7)

[0057] The time differences Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_nare transmitted to at least one of the base stations 36₁.

[0058] At least one base station 36₁recovers the time difference data from the received signals using time difference recovery means 84₁. The time difference data is sent with the distance data d₁through the communications system to a processor 68. The processor 68 determines the location of the subscriber unit 40₁using the time difference data Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_nand the distance data d₁, d₂. . . d_nas follows.

[0059] Using information from only two base stations 36₁, 36₂as shown in FIG. 9, the processor uses distances d₁, d₂to create two circles 78₁, 78₂. Using the time difference, Δt₁, a hyperbola 86₁can be constructed as follows.

[0060] All the points along the hyperbola 86₁receive the global pilot signals 52₁, 52₂from the synchronized base stations 36₁, 36₂with the same time difference, Δt₁. The time difference Δt₁can be converted to a distance difference Δd₁by substituting Δt₁or t₁and Δd₁for d₁in Equation 1. Using the distance formula and X, Y as the location of the subscriber unit 40₁, the following equation results:

[0061] Δd₁={square root over ((X₁−X)²+(Y₁−Y)²)}−{square root over ((X₂−X)₂+(Y₂−Y)²)}  Equation (8)

[0062] By using Equation 8 with Equations 3 and 4 in a maximum likelihood estimation, the location of the subscriber unit 40₁can be determined. The subscriber unit's location is subsequently sent to the nearest police precinct 74₁, 74₂. . . 74_nand ambulance dispatcher 76 in the cellular area.

[0063] For improved accuracy, additional base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nare used. FIG. 10 shows the invention used with three base stations 36₁, 36₂, 36₃. The distances d₁, d₂, d₃are used to create three circles 78₁, 78₂, 78₃. Using time differences Δt₁, Δt₂, two intersecting hyperbolas 86₁, 86₂are constructed. With maximum likelihood estimation, the subscriber units' location calculated with two hyperbolas 86₁, 86₂, and three circles 78₁, 78₂, 78₃yields greater accuracy.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 8, the subscriber unit 40₁is required to process each global pilot chip code sequence to determine the time differences Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_n. An alternate approach removes the processing from the subscriber unit 40₁.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 6, the mobile unit 40₁will synchronize the assigned pilot to one of the base station's global pilot chip code sequences, such as the nearest base station 36₁with a delay of τ₁. The assigned pilot 50₁is transmitted to all base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. The assigned pilot 50₁will be received at each base station with a respective delay, τ₁+τ₁, τ₂+τ₂, τ₃+τ₃. Each base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nwill send the delayed chip code sequence along with the calculated distance to a processor 68 located in a NIU 34₁or local exchange 32. The processor 68 will calculate the time differences Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_nby comparing the received assigned pilot chip code sequences. Since all received assigned pilot chip code sequences are delayed by τ_{1, the τ1}delay will cancel out of the resultant time differences Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_n. Accordingly, the subscriber unit 40₁can be located using hyperbolas 86₁, 86₂as previously described.

[0066] Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 uses a base station 36₁with multiple antennas 88₁, 88₂. . . 88_n. Two of the antennas 88₁, 88₂lie along a centerline 92 at a known distance, l, apart as shown in FIG. 11. Both antennas 88₁, 88₂receive the assigned pilot signal 90₁, 90₂from the subscriber unit 40₁. However, the antenna 88₂further away from the subscriber unit 40₁receives the signal over a slightly longer distance d₁′ and with a slight delay with respect to the nearer antenna 88₁. This delay results in a carrier phase difference, φ, between the signals received at each antenna as shown on FIG. 13. A processor 66 using the received carrier phase difference and the chip code sequence recovered by each assigned pilot chip code recovery means 96₁, 96₂. . . 96_ncan determine the location of the subscriber unit 40₁as follows.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 12, the subscriber unit 40₁is located at distance d₁at angle a from the centerline 92 of the antennas 88₁, 88₂. As seen at the scale of FIG. 12 both received assigned pilot signals 90₁, 90₂appear to be coincident. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the received assigned pilot signals 90₁, 90₂are slightly separated. The received assigned pilot signal 90₁returning to the first antenna 88₁travels a distance d₁. The received assigned pilot signal 90₂returning to the second antenna 88₂travels a slightly longer distance d₁′. As shown in FIG. 11, the difference between the two distances d₁, d₁′ is a distance m.

[0068] Since the distances d₁, d₁′ between the antennas 88₁, 88₂and the subscriber unit 40₁are much larger than the distance l between the antennae 88₁, 88₂both received assigned pilot signals 90₁, 90₂follow approximately parallel paths. By constructing a right triangle using a point 94 which is distance d₁from the subscriber unit 40₁as shown in FIG. 11, the angle ∝ can be determined by the following geometric relationship:

[0069] ∝=COS⁻¹(m/l).  Equation (9)

[0070] The distance m can be determined by using the carrier phase difference, φ, between the two received signals 90₁, 90₂as follows: $\begin{array}{cc}m=\frac{\phi ·\lambda }{2\pi }& \mathrm{Equation}\left(10\right)\end{array}$

[0071] The distance m equals the phase difference between the two signals, φ, in radians multiplied by the wavelength of the signal, λ, divided by 2π. The wavelength, λ, can be derived from the known frequency f of the assigned pilot signal as follows:

[0072] λ=c/f.  Equation (11)

[0073] The processor 68 also compares the chip code sequences of the global pilot generating means 42₁with the recovered assigned pilot chip code sequence to determine the distance d₁as shown in FIG. 6. Using both the angle ∝ and distance d₁, the processor 66₁locates the subscriber unit 40₁using simple geometry. There are many techniques well known to those skilled in the art to eliminate the ambiguity between locations above and below the antennas 88₁, 88₂. One such technique is using antennas employing sectorization. Subsequently, the subscriber unit's location is sent to the precincts 74₁, 74₂. . . 74_nand ambulance dispatcher 76. Additional antennas may be used to improve on the accuracy of the system.

[0074] An alternate embodiment uses more than one base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. A processor 68 located within either a NIU 34₁or the local exchange 32 collects distance and angle information from more than one base station 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_nas well as the time differences Δt₁, Δt₂. . . Δt_n, between the base stations 36₁, 36₂. . . 36_n. Using the maximum likelihood estimation technique, the processor 68 determines a more accurate location of the subscriber unit 40₁.

[0075] A fourth embodiment corrects for multipath. FIG. 14 illustrates multipath. A signal such as a global pilot signal is transmitted from a base station 36₁. The signal follows a multitude of paths 98₁, 98₂. . . 98_nbetween the base station 36₁and subscriber unit 40₁.

[0076] FIG. 15 is a graph showing the impulse response 136 of the received multipath components. Since each received multipath component travels a unique path, it arrives at a receiver with a propagation delay determined by the length of the path 98₁, 98₂. . . 98_n. The impulse response 106 shows the collective signal magnitude of all the multipath components received at each propagation delay.

[0077] The previously described subscriber unit location techniques assumed the subscriber unit 40₁synchronizes with the line of sight multipath component 98₁traveling distance d₁. However, if the subscriber unit synchronizes with a non-line of sight multipath component 98₁, 98₂. . . 98_n, the distance calculation will be in error due to the delay MD₁as shown in FIG. 15.

[0078] FIG. 16 is a system correcting for errors resulting from multipath. The global pilot 50₁is sent from the base station 36₁to subscriber unit 40₁. The subscriber unit 40₁collects all of the multipath components using a multipath receiver 102₁such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/669,769, Lomp et al., incorporated here by reference. A processor 82₁within the subscriber unit 40₁analyzes the impulse response 100 of the received global pilot signal 50₁.

[0079] Since the line of sight multipath component 98₁travels the shortest distance d₁, the first received component 98₁is the line of sight component. If the line of sight component is not received, the first received component 98₁will be the closest and, accordingly, the best available estimate for the line of sight component. The processor 82₁compares the chip code sequence of the first received component 98₁with the chip code sequence used to synchronize the assigned pilot chip code sequence. This comparison determines the delay due to multipath, MD₁. The multipath delay, MD₁, is transmitted to the base station 36₁.

[0080] A processor 66₁and multipath receiver 104₁within the base station 36₁perform the same analysis on the received assigned pilot signal. As a result, the multipath delay, MD₂, of the assigned pilot signal is determined. Additionally, multipath delay recovery means 106₁recovers the transmitted global pilot signal's multipath delay MD₁for use by the processor 66₁. The processor 66₁compares the generated global pilot chip code sequence to the recovered assigned pilot chip code sequence to determine the round trip propagation delay 2τ₁. To correct for multipath, the processor 66₁subtracts both the global pilot signal's multipath delay MD₁and the assigned pilot signals multipath delay MD₂from the calculated round trip propagation delay, 2τ₁. The corrected round trip propagation delay is used to determine the subscriber unit's location in one of the techniques as previously described.

[0081] Although the invention has been described in part by making detailed reference to certain specific embodiments, such detail is intended to be instructive rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the structure and mode of operation without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the teachings herein.