WO2019009828A2

WO2019009828A2 - A 5g terrestrial positioning system

Info

Publication number: WO2019009828A2
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050487
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arif CELIKKOL; Haluk Kozan
Original assignee: Ons Grup Iletisim Ve Telekomunikasyon Hizmetleri Enerji Makine Elektronik Bilisim Insaat Taahhut Ithalat Ihracat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2017-10-10
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Also published as: WO2019009828A3; TR201619151A2

Abstract

The invention is a terrestrial positioning system which operated on 5G mobile communication infrastructure in order to provide high precision positioning, wherein; it comprises; a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) which its frequency and wave model changeable; an outdoor mobile device (1) which is capable of receiving the mentioned mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.); an outdoor transmitter (3) which transmits the said mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) to the said outdoor mobile device (1); a 5G mobile communication supported datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) which transmits the information regarding station position, station number, frequency, operation mode and encryption key, which are configured by the operator, to the said outdoor transmitter (3); a 5G supported timing server (8) which delivers the time information from a timing source via the said datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) in order to provide administration and establish time synchronization of the said outdoor transmitter (3).

Description

A 5G TERRESTRIAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The invention relates to a 5G terrestrial positioning system (5GTPS) which uses the transmission mechanism of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) transmissions or similar mechanisms, using the same receivers or mobile communication receivers (cell phone) with higher precision level than satellites in order to provide high precision positioning via mobile telecommunication base stations (4G and later). The invention in particular relates to satellite based and terrestrial positioning systems, utilizing these systems via wireless communication infrastructure, and reducing the costs during the lifecycle and total number of antennae and radio transceivers.

Background Art

In the background art, there are various different solutions (such as LORAN-C, CHAYKA, GPS, Pseudo Systems and Locata) for terrestrial positioning systems. However in the prior art, separate transmitters for terrestrial positioning systems are required to be established and should be operated by a separate establishment. Regional versions of these systems impose additional, countrywide recurring costs.

In the prior art, each antenna established to expand the coverage also contributes to the visual pollution level and imposes additional costs such as telecommunications leases/land acquisitions/expropriations.

In the prior art, GNSS signals provided by the satellites, where a terrestrial positioning system is not available, fails to provide a precision on the order of centimeters and furthermore, the uncertainties increase further for indoor locations due to weak signal. This prevents the autonomous systems that require a sensitive positioning system at outdoor locations to become more widespread.

Furthermore, in the prior art, establishing positioning using smart phones via mobile data or Wi-Fi may result in additional data charges, even though they fail to deliver the required precision. Furthermore, in the prior art, an RF based synchronization method takes place between the telecommunications base stations (such as outdoor devices and mobile transmitters).

In the prior art, an example of the RF based synchronization methods between base stations is given by patent application no. US7616682.

In the prior art, an example of synchronization via positioning systems is given by patent application no. EP1804399.

In the prior art, terrestrial positioning systems such as Pseudolite and similar methods are given by the patent application no. US 7616682. Here, an indoor terrestrial positioning system and an outdoor terrestrial positioning system is required for the terrestrial positioning system. For precise time synchronization of the terrestrial positioning systems, methods that utilize RF based time synchronization infrastructures, terrestrial time synchronization infrastructures or synchronization via positioning satellites can be used. Therefore, the aforementioned disadvantages and inadequacy of the prior art to provide a solution to the problem, has made it necessary to make a development in the technical field.

Object of the Invention The invention is intended to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages in the current state of the art.

The object of the invention is to meet the requirement for a precision terrestrial positioning system by operating it via mobile telecommunications infrastructure and therefore, to achieve savings from costs associated to requirement for establishing additional antennae, time synchronization problem, telecommunications leases and system operation. The invention may also contribute to devices which require precision positioning to become more widespread.

The invention helps keeping the costs under control based on the frequency and method used for positioning. The invention meets the countries' requirement for a positioning system by upgrading the telecommunications infrastructure and therefore eliminates the costs associated to satellite operation and operation of a separate system for terrestrial positioning.

The invention provides low cost solutions for positioning requirements of all types of autonomous systems with all kinds of positioning requirements such as cadastral operations when undesired factors as seen in GNSS satellites such as interference, deception and meteorological factors are not acceptable. Communicating transmissions via telecommunication base stations enable autonomous systems to operate with precision on the order of centimeters where base stations are dense such as settlements or highway routes.

The invention substantially reduces terrestrial systems' requirement for positioning satellites.

The invention allows time synchronization between communication base stations without requiring any further systems. With the invention, acquiring precise coordinates indoors is possible with the base stations placed inside buildings and therefore, autonomous robots and devices can be operated easily.

With the invention, in addition to the positioning systems of the prior art, GSM operators can also provide encrypted positioning, from which only subscribers can benefit. Therefore, operators can market precise positioning services. Encrypted positioning transmissions can be communicated with a method similar to P(Y) code and M-code of GPS satellites. The key distribution required for decryption of these codes is executed via wireless datalink through SIM cards that is known to belong to the operator.

Furthermore, with the invention, the decrypting key can be sent safely via the datalink (communication signal) as seen in digital encrypted video distribution systems. Therefore, positioning services can be provided with different precisions and in different regions.

The invention is a 5G mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning system, intended to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, comprising, - a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2,

an outdoor mobile device which is able to receive the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2, an indoor mobile device which is located inside a building and able to receive the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2,

a 5G mobile communication supported outdoor transmitter (base station or antenna) which transmits the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 to the outdoor mobile device,

a 5G mobile communication supported outdoor transmitter (base station or antenna) which transmits the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 to the outdoor mobile device and update its position using mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2,

- a 5G mobile communication supported indoor transmitter (base station or antenna) which transmits the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 to the indoor mobile device which is located inside a building, a 5G mobile communication supported datalink time synchronization infrastructure which delivers information such as position of the station, frequency and operation mode to the outdoor transmitter, mobile transmitter and indoor transmitter, when the information is updated by the operator,

a 5G mobile communication supported timing server which delivers the time information from the timing source via the datalink time synchronization infrastructure in order to perform time synchronization of the outdoor transmitter, mobile transmitter and indoor transmitter.

The structural and characteristic properties of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the illustrations below, therefore, assessment should be based on these illustrations and the detailed description.

Figures that will Help Understanding the Invention

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the terrestrial positioning system of the invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the 5G terrestrial positioning system of the invention. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the communication between the communication system and the positioning system. Reference Numbers

1 . Outdoor mobile device

2. Indoor mobile device

3. Outdoor transmitter

4. Positioning satellite

5. Mobile transmitter

6. Indoor transmitter

7. Building

8. Timing server

9. Datalink time synchronization infrastructure

10. a. Terrestrial positioning transmission 1

10. b. Mobile communications supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2

1 1 . Positioning satellite transmission

12. RF based time synchronization interface

13. Communication signal

14. Outdoor terrestrial positioning station

15. Indoor terrestrial positioning station

16. Terrestrial positioning timing server

17. Terrestrial time synchronization infrastructure

50. Communication system

5 . Communication antenna

55. Coordinate information

61 . Positioning antenna

65. Positioning system Drawings must be scaled and details that are not essential for understanding the invention may have been omitted. Furthermore, elements that are at least substantially identical or that have at least identical functions are denoted with same numbers.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The detailed description of preferred embodiments of the 5G terrestrial positioning system (5GTPS) of the invention is given herein only to help understand the subject matter.

The most important requirement for positioning systems is the time synchronization between the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5), indoor transmitter (6) and the positioning satellite (4). Similar to the positioning systems, the time synchronization is also required by high speed communication systems (LTE-A and later). Therefore, in LTE-A and later technologies, the time synchronization is standardized within cellular communication infrastructures such as outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5), indoor transmitter (6), timing server (8) and datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9).

The frequencies of the terrestrial positioning transmission 1 (10. a.) and mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.), used in terrestrial positioning, may be same with or different from the frequency of the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ) used by terrestrial positioning satellites (4). While operation modes and frequencies of positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ) are fixed, 5GTPS receives and processes terrestrial positioning transmission 1 (10. a.) when operating in the first mode, and mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) when operating in the second mode, together with the positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ).

With 5GTPS, outdoor terrestrial positioning stations (14), RF based time synchronization infrastructures (12), terrestrial time synchronization infrastructures (17), terrestrial positioning time servers (16) and indoor terrestrial positioning stations (15) are not required, in contrast to the prior art. These systems are replaced by outdoor transmitters (3), datalink time synchronization infrastructures (9), communication network timing servers (8) and indoor transmitters (6) used in 4G and 5G. Since mobile devices (1 ) can also function as base stations under 5G coverage, outdoor mobile devices (1 ) and indoor mobile devices (2) can also function as outdoor terrestrial positioning systems (14) and indoor terrestrial positioning systems (15).

5GTPS essentially operates in two different modes. The first mode uses the same frequency and mode of operation (such as GPS, WAAS) as positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ) currently provided by positioning satellites (4), following the same idea behind Pseudolite (Pseudo Satellite), where it is employed as an additional transmitter (outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6)) to positioning satellites (4) in order to eliminate possible error sources in the positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ) from the positioning satellite (4) such as ionosphere effects. When 5GTPS stations (outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6)) are operated in the first mode, they operate in a compatible way with outdoor mobile devices (1 ) and indoor mobile devices (2), which are currently available GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO receivers, and without requiring any modifications to outdoor mobile devices (1 ) and indoor mobile devices (2). When 5GTPS stations (outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6)) are operated in the first mode, they synchronize the clock of the particular positioning satellite (4) and the timing server (8) with the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ), depending on that positioning satellite (4) according to which a positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ) is going to be transmitted. The aforementioned are currently available in the background art.

Positioning satellite (4) systems, examples of which include GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO satellite systems, currently operate using different frequencies and wave models in different countries. When 5GTPS system is operated in the first mode, it transmits a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) in accordance with at least one of these satellite systems, in addition to the signals (1 1 ) transmitted by these satellites, and therefore increases the number of pseudo satellites (Pseudolites) to which the line of sight is not obstructed and increases the precision in the positioning calculations.

The second mode of 5GTPS follows the logic of an operational method currently used in terrestrial positioning systems, however the main difference is that the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) can be configured by the telecommunications operator. A SIM card which belongs to the telecommunications operator or registered to the telecommunications network, will be able to perform positioning calculations after detecting the frequency and method used for transmitting the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) from the communication signal (13).

Any one of the licensed frequency bands which are reserved to the telecommunications operator can be used for the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b). The operation of this mode is only possible if the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) are capable of receiving the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.). In the prior art, the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) are not capable of receiving the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.). Multiple operators countrywide can use the same 5GTPS frequency band and calculation method.

In the first mode of 5GTPS, the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) receive the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ) transmitted by the positioning satellite (4). In addition to these positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ), a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.), which is known as Pseudolite where the information specific to each transmitter (assuming the antenna and the station are collocated) such as position, time and station code is shared, is received from the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6). The outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) process the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) received from the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and the indoor transmitter (6) and the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ) received from the positioning satellite (4), in order to carry out a precise position calculation. In the second mode of 5GTPS, the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) receives the 5GTPS frequency (mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) coming from the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6)) and information related to the calculation method. Position calculation precision of the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and indoor mobile device (2) will increase with the number of mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) coming from the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6). The outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) will be able to perform altitude calculations if more than 3 mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) is received. Once the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2) receives mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) coming from the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6), which has the same frequency and mode of operation (SIM card based), its position calculation precision will increase. On the other hand, this requires time synchronization between the transmitters of different operators, i.e. outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6).

In 5GTPS, an indoor mobile device (2) inside a building (7) may fail to receive a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) transmitted from outside the building (7). Therefore, to provide positioning inside the building (7), indoor transmitters (6) can be used at least to determine the level or the area inside the building (7). Meanwhile, using a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) such as Pseudolite via indoor transmitters (6) inside the building (7) enables coordinate calculations when the number of mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmissions 2 (10.b.) received by the indoor mobile device (2) is 3 or more.

When 5GTPS is operating in the first mode, it has no communication with the positioning satellite (4) and the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ). In the 5GTPS system of the invention, even a single mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) can be sufficient to determine a region inside a building (7). On the other hand, positioning precision increases with the number of received mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmissions 2 (10.b.). The most important components of the 5GTPS system are outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6). These transmitters may be operable in two different modes or two different versions may be manufactured. In general, since the frequencies of the communication signals (13) and positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ) from positioning satellites (4) are different, a further capability to transmit Pseudolite mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmissions 2 (10.b.) is added to the transceiver features. Time and coordinate information (55) of the transmitters are delivered from the communication system (50) to the positioning system (65) and after then, the terrestrial positioning system (65) commences Pseudolite mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.). The communication antenna (51 ) of the outdoor transmitter (3) and the positioning antenna (61 ) of the positioning satellite (4) can be separate due to the frequency difference. With the 5GTPS system of the invention, requirement for a separate positioning antenna (61 ) is eliminated. Because the frequency used for mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (1 0.b.) uses one of the frequency bands of the communication signal (13) for communication. The outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6) receive the information regarding the station position, station number, frequency, operation mode and encryption key, which can be configured the operator. After receiving the information and establishing time synchronization, mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) commences.

Even though the mobile transmitter (5) has outdoor transmitter (3) features, since it is mobile, its own terrestrial positioning information contained within the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) changes while it is moving. To realize this, the mobile transmitter (5) can update its position via other mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmissions 2 (10.b.) or the positioning satellite transmissions (1 1 ). When these are not available, positioning information is entered into the system manually. Furthermore, when the mobile transmitter (5) is in motion and transmitting mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.), it is required to calculate its own position similar to the outdoor mobile device (1 ) and the indoor mobile device (2).

Number of mobile transmitters (5) can be increased or decreased depending on the positioning demand of the region. Even though normally there is no demand in rural areas, demand for both mobile communication and position calculation will increase with machine-machine interfaces during harvest season.

The indoor transmitters (6) have the same features of the outdoor transmitters (3), which mainly provide mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) from the outdoor mobile transmitter (5), which cannot enter inside the building (7), and from the outdoor transmitter (3), into the building (7). The mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) transmitted into the building (7) has sufficient strength to be detected by the indoor mobile devices (2) inside the building (7).

The timing server (8), which administers and provides time synchronization to outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6), establishes time synchronization between base stations, along with providing core network administration. The timing server (8) distributes the time information, which is received by a fixed timing source (such as an atomic clock or GPS satellites) for time synchronization, distributes to the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6) via datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9). In addition to the time synchronization, via the datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9), the timing server (8) transmits position information, station numbers (PRN-Pseudo Random Number), frequency of the transmission, operation mode, encryption method and key associated to the outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter

(5) and indoor transmitter (6). Administration of outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter

(6) and their communication with the timing servers (8) can be established via cable or wireless datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9). Time synchronization methods via datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) known as EtherSync and PTP are available in the background art. In addition to the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ) from the positioning satellite (4) of the prior art, outdoor mobile device (1 ) and indoor mobile device (2) are capable of receiving mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) and 4G and later communication signals. Outdoor mobile device (1 ) and indoor mobile device (2) detect mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) and perform position calculation based on the frequency information stated by the telecommunication operator on the SIM card or configured within the factory settings depending on the country.

In the invention, GSM operator can provide encrypted positioning transmissions and only subscribes may benefit from this. Therefore, operator will be able to market precision positioning services. Encrypted positioning transmissions can be communicated with a method similar to P(Y) code and M-code of GPS satellites. The key distribution required for decryption of these codes is executed via wireless datalink through SIM cards that is known to belong to the operator. Functions of 5GTPS comprise:

Transmitting a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) by 4G, 5G or later generation outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6),

- Establishing time synchronization required for mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.), by timing server (8) via datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9),

Providing the precision of the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) inside a building (7) using indoor transmitters (6), - Enabling outdoor transmitter (3), mobile transmitter (5) and indoor transmitter (6) to calculate their own positions using mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) from previously activated base stations,

Commencing mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) after the mobile transmitter (5) calculates its own position after a change in position.

Claims

A terrestrial positioning system which operated on 5G mobile communication infrastructure in order to provide high precision positioning, wherein; it comprises

a mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2

(10.b.) which its frequency and wave model changeable,

an outdoor mobile device (1 ) which is capable of receiving the mentioned mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2

(10.b.),

a 5G mobile communication supported outdoor transmitter (3) which transmits the said mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) to the said outdoor mobile device (1 ),

a 5G mobile communication supported datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) which transmits the information regarding station position, station number, frequency, operation mode and encryption key, which are configured by the operator, to the said outdoor transmitter (3), a 5G mobile communication supported timing server (8) which delivers the time information from a timing source via the said datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) in order to provide administration and establish time synchronization of the said outdoor transmitter (3).

The system according to claim 1 , wherein; it comprises

an indoor mobile device (2) which is located inside a building (7) and capable of receiving mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.),

an 5G mobile communication supported indoor transmitter (6) which is administered and provided with time synchronization via the datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) by the timing server (8), which receives the time information from a timing source; located inside a building (7); and transmits the mentioned mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) to the said indoor mobile device (2).

The system according to claim 1 , wherein; it comprises

5G mobile communication supported mobile transmitter (5) which is administered and provided with time synchronization via the datalink time synchronization infrastructure (9) by the timing server (8), which receives the time information from a timing source; transmits the said mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) to the said outdoor mobile device (1 ) and updates the position via mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.).

The system according to claims 1 or 2, wherein; it comprises

a positioning satellite (4) which transmits the positioning satellite transmission (1 1 ) to the said outdoor mobile device (1 ) and said indoor mobile device (2),

a communication signal (13) which transmits the frequency of the mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) to a SIM card which belongs to a mobile communications operator or registered to a mobile communications network in order to allow position calculations.

The said system according to claims 1 or 4, wherein; it comprises a said outdoor mobile device (1 ) which is capable of performing coordinate and altitude calculations when more than 3 of the said mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmissions 2 (10.b.) are received.

The said system according to claims 2 or 4, wherein; it comprises a said indoor mobile device (2) which is capable of performing coordinate and altitude calculations when more than 3 of the said mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmissions 2 (10.b.) are received.

The said system according to claim 1 , wherein; the said outdoor transmitter (3) is a base station and/or and antenna.

The said system according to claim 1 , wherein; the said mobile transmitter (5) is a base station and/or and antenna.

The said system according to claim 3, wherein; the said indoor transmitter (6) is a base station and/or and antenna.

The said system according to claims 1 or 4, wherein; it comprises the said mobile communication supported terrestrial positioning transmission 2 (10.b.) which is capable of operating at frequency of mobile communication signals (13) and allows multiple operators to use the same frequency. The system according to claims 1 or 4, wherein ; it comprises the said outdoor transmitter (3) which is capable of using the communications system (50) and communication antennae (51 ) that transmit the said mobile communication signal (13).