U.S. patent application number 15/012596 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-03 for method and apparatus for improving positioning performance on a mobile device with carrier aggregation capabilities.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Bhaskara Batchu, Suresh Kumar Bitra, Ashwin Kumar Donthula, Arun Kumar Sharma Tandra.
Application Number | 20170223492 15/012596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57799807 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170223492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bitra; Suresh Kumar ; et
al. |
August 3, 2017 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING POSITIONING PERFORMANCE ON A
MOBILE DEVICE WITH CARRIER AGGREGATION CAPABILITIES
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for performing a positioning
process utilizing wireless communication network reference signals.
The method may include processing, by a mobile device with carrier
aggregation, a voice call via a first Radio Access Technology
(RAT), the processing of the call causing second RAT capabilities
of the mobile device to go out of service. The method may also
include obtaining assistance data that includes information for
capturing reference signals of a wireless communications network
suitable for performing a positioning process with the mobile
device during the voice call over the first RAT. Furthermore, based
on the obtained assistance data, the method may include searching
for the reference signals using an available receiver of the mobile
device to access the wireless communications network. The method
may also include providing signal measurements generated from
captured reference signals to a position determining entity.
Inventors: |
Bitra; Suresh Kumar;
(Mangalagiri, IN) ; Tandra; Arun Kumar Sharma;
(Hyderabad, IN) ; Donthula; Ashwin Kumar;
(Hyderabad, IN) ; Batchu; Bhaskara; (Ameenpur
Village, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57799807 |
Appl. No.: |
15/012596 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 5/02 20130101; H04W
88/06 20130101; H04W 4/90 20180201; H04W 64/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02; G01S 5/02 20060101 G01S005/02; H04W 4/22 20060101
H04W004/22 |
Claims
1. A method for performing a mobile device positioning process,
comprising: processing, by a mobile device with carrier
aggregation, a voice call via a first Radio Access Technology
(RAT), the processing of the voice call causing second RAT
capabilities of the mobile device to go out of service; obtaining
assistance data that includes information for capturing reference
signals of a wireless communications network suitable for
performing a positioning process with the mobile device during the
voice call over the first RAT; based on the obtained assistance
data, searching for the reference signals using an available
receiver of the mobile device to access the wireless communications
network; providing signal measurements generated from captured
reference signals to a position determining entity; and obtaining a
position of the mobile device from the position determining
entity.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the available receiver is a
carrier aggregation receiver.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first RAT is a non-Long Term
Evolution (LTE) RAT and the second RAT is an LTE RAT, further
comprising: accessing a LTE wireless communications network with
the carrier aggregation receiver using the LTE RAT; capturing the
reference signals based on the assistance data using the carrier
aggregation receiver, the reference signals comprising at least one
of positioning reference signals (PRS) and cell-specific reference
signals (CRS); computing one or more of reference signal time
difference (RSTD) measurements and round trip time (RTT)
measurements from the captured reference signals; communicating the
computed one or more RSTD measurements and RTT measurements to a
position determining entity; and obtaining the position of the
mobile device from the position determining entity.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the obtained position is a
position determined by observed time difference of arrival
positioning utilizing the RSTD measurements.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the obtained position is a
position determined by enhanced cellID positioning utilizing the
RTT measurements.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtained assistance data is
obtained from one or more of available assistance data stored on
the mobile device, new assistance data generated by the mobile
device, or a combination thereof, and wherein the mobile device
comprises the position determining entity.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning process is
automatically initiated when an emergency call is placed or
received by the mobile device.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: accessing a first
wireless communications network with a carrier aggregation receiver
of the mobile device using the first RAT; accessing a second
wireless communications network with a second, independently
tunable, receiver of the mobile device using the second RAT,
different from the first RAT; gathering different types of
positioning information from different types of reference signals
broadcast over the first and second wireless communications
networks; providing signal measurements generated from the
different types of signals to the position determining entity; and
obtaining the position of the mobile device determined by the
position determining entity from the combination of signal
measurements corresponding to the different types of signals.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second, independently
tunable, receiver of the mobile device is a GNSS receiver tuned to
receive signals broadcast by GNSS satellite systems.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first RAT is a non-Long Term
Evolution (LTE) RAT and the second RAT is an LTE RAT, and wherein
the positioning process is an LTE positioning process performed
while the mobile device is connected to a non-LTE wireless
communications network during the call, and after LTE capabilities
of the mobile device go out of service.
11. A mobile device with carrier aggregation for performing a
mobile device positioning process, comprising: a memory; and a
processor coupled with the memory, wherein the processor configured
to: process a voice call via a first Radio Access Technology (RAT),
the processing of the voice call causing second RAT capabilities of
the mobile device to go out of service, obtain assistance data that
includes information for capturing reference signals of a wireless
communications network suitable for performing a positioning
process with the mobile device during the voice call over the first
RAT, based on the obtained assistance data, search for the
reference signals using an available receiver of the mobile device
to access the wireless communications network, provide signal
measurements generated from captured reference signals to a
position determining entity, and obtain a position of the mobile
device from the position determining entity.
12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the available receiver
is a carrier aggregation receiver.
13. The mobile of claim 12, wherein the first RAT is a non-Long
Term Evolution (LTE) RAT and the second RAT is an LTE RAT, further
comprising the processor to: access a LTE wireless communications
network with the carrier aggregation receiver using the LTE RAT,
capture the reference signals based on the assistance data using
the carrier aggregation receiver, the reference signals comprising
at least one of positioning reference signals (PRS) and
cell-specific reference signals (CRS), compute one or more of
reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and round trip
time (RTT) measurements from the captured reference signals,
communicate the computed one or more RSTD measurements and RTT
measurements to a position determining entity, and obtain the
position of the mobile device from the position determining
entity.
14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the obtained position is
a position determined by observed time difference of arrival
positioning utilizing the RSTD measurements.
15. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the obtained position is
a position determined by enhanced cellID (ECID) utilizing the RTT
measurements.
16. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the obtained assistance
data is obtained from one or more of available assistance data
stored on the mobile device, new assistance data generated by the
mobile device, or a combination thereof, and wherein the mobile
device comprises the position determining entity.
17. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the positioning process
is automatically initiated when an emergency call is placed or
received by the mobile device.
18. The mobile device of claim 11, further comprising the processor
to: access a first wireless communications network with a carrier
aggregation receiver of the mobile device using the first RAT;
access a second wireless communications network with a second,
independently tunable, receiver of the mobile device using the
second RAT, different from the first RAT, gather different types of
positioning information from different types of reference signals
broadcast over the first and second wireless communications
networks; provide signal measurements generated from the different
types of signals to the position determining entity, and obtain the
position of the mobile device determined by the position
determining entity from the combination of signal measurements
corresponding to the different types of signals.
19. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the second,
independently tunable, receiver of the mobile device is a GNSS
receiver tuned to receive signals broadcast by GNSS satellite
systems.
20. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the first RAT is a
non-Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAT and the second RAT is an LTE RAT,
and wherein the positioning process is an LTE positioning process
performed while the mobile device is connected to a non-LTE
wireless communications network during the call, and after LTE
capabilities of the mobile device go out of service.
21. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including
instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to perform a method for performing a mobile device
positioning process, the method comprising: processing, by a mobile
device with carrier aggregation, a voice call via a first Radio
Access Technology (RAT), the processing of the voice call causing
second RAT capabilities of the mobile device to go out of service;
obtaining assistance data that includes information for capturing
reference signals of a wireless communications network suitable for
performing a positioning process with the mobile device during the
voice call over the first RAT; based on the obtained assistance
data, searching for the reference signals using an available
receiver of the mobile device to access the wireless communications
network; providing signal measurements generated from captured
reference signals to a position determining entity; and obtaining a
position of the mobile device from the position determining
entity.
22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim
21, wherein the available receiver is a carrier aggregation
receiver.
23. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim
22, wherein the first RAT is a non-Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAT
and the second RAT is an LTE RAT, further comprising: accessing a
LTE wireless communications network with the carrier aggregation
receiver using the LTE RAT; capturing the reference signals based
on the assistance data using the carrier aggregation receiver, the
reference signals comprising at least one of positioning reference
signals (PRS) and cell-specific reference signals (CRS); computing
one or more of reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements
and round trip time (RTT) measurements from the captured reference
signals; communicating the computed one or more RSTD measurements
and RTT measurements to a position determining entity; and
obtaining the position of the mobile device from the position
determining entity.
24. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim
21, wherein the obtained assistance data is obtained from one or
more of available assistance data stored on the mobile device, new
assistance data generated by the mobile device, or a combination
thereof, and wherein the mobile device comprises the position
determining entity.
25. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim
21, wherein the positioning process is automatically initiated when
an emergency call is placed or received by the mobile device.
26. A mobile device with carrier aggregation for performing a
mobile device positioning process, comprising: means for
processing, by a mobile device with carrier aggregation, a voice
call via a first Radio Access Technology (RAT), the processing of
the voice call causing second RAT capabilities of the mobile device
to go out of service; means for obtaining assistance data that
includes information for capturing reference signals of a wireless
communications network suitable for performing a positioning
process with the mobile device during the voice call over the first
RAT; means for based on the obtained assistance data, searching for
the reference signals using an available receiver of the mobile
device to access the wireless communications network; means for
providing signal measurements generated from captured reference
signals to a position determining entity; and means for obtaining a
position of the mobile device from the position determining
entity.
27. The mobile of claim 26, wherein the available receiver is a
carrier aggregation receiver.
28. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein the first RAT is a
non-Long Term Evolution (LTE) RAT and the second RAT is an LTE RAT,
further comprising: means accessing a LTE wireless communications
network with the carrier aggregation receiver using the LTE RAT;
means for capturing the reference signals based on the assistance
data using the carrier aggregation receiver, the reference signals
comprising at least one of positioning reference signals (PRS) and
cell-specific reference signals (CRS); means for computing one or
more of reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements and
round trip time (RTT) measurements from the captured reference
signals; means for communicating the computed one or more RSTD
measurements and RTT measurements to a position determining entity;
and means for obtaining the position of the mobile device from the
position determining entity.
29. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the obtained assistance
data is obtained from one or more of available assistance data
stored on the mobile device, new assistance data generated by the
mobile device, or a combination thereof, and wherein the mobile
device comprises the position determining entity.
30. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the positioning process
is automatically initiated when an emergency call is placed or
received by the mobile device.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to
performing a positioning process utilizing wireless communication
network reference signals.
BACKGROUND
[0002] As the use of mobile communications devices, such as
cellular telephones, becomes more pervasive, there will be more
wireless networks that support the wireless communication of such
devices. Furthermore, the more such devices are used in different
facets of users' lives, such as personal use and work use, the
usage becomes fragmented. For example, a single user may have one
device for personal use, and a second device for work use, where
the devices utilize different wireless communications network
technologies.
[0003] Some mobile communications devices include multiple
subscriber capabilities. That is, such a mobile device can have
more than one subscriber identification module (SIM) for
subscribing to, and providing service on, different carrier
networks. The single mobile device, with multiple SIMs, can provide
the user access to multiple wireless communications networks.
Continuing the example above, the single user would be able to use
one device for work and personal communications, both with
different subscriber identifications.
[0004] One such device for accessing multiple networks as different
subscribers, is the dual-SIM dual-standby (DSDS) mobile device with
carrier aggregation (CA) (hereinafter DSDS+CA mobile device). The
different SIMs provide subscriptions/access to different wireless
communications networks, such as LTE, SRLTE, WCDMA, GSM, etc. The
dual-standby capabilities of the mobile device choose which SIM is
active to send/receive a call, and cause the other SIM to go out of
service. Carrier aggregation, however, enables the device to
coordinate data received from the different wireless communications
networks. Thus, when a DSDS+CA mobile device receives a call, on
either subscriber technology, the other subscriber technology goes
out of services. As an example, when such a device utilizes a first
subscription to an SRLTE/CSFB wireless communications network and a
second subscription to an SRLTE/3G/2G wireless communications
network, a non-voice over LTE call on either subscription/SIM will
cause the LTE capabilities of the mobile device to go out of
service.
[0005] When global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning
is initiated in a DSDS+CA mobile device during a non-LTE voice
call, the mobile device will connect to a communications network.
The time to first fix for the GNSS positioning purposes may take a
considerable amount of time, thereby consuming processing and power
resources of the mobile device, based on the device's ability to
receive GPS signals and the associated strength of those GPS
signals. This problem is exacerbated when the DSDS+CA mobile device
is indoors, or any other low visibility environment, which can
reduce or prevent the DSDS+CA mobile device's ability to obtain the
necessary GPS signals. Furthermore, when the positioning process is
initiated in response to an emergency voice call, the length of
time and lack of precision for obtaining the mobile device's
position, can be unacceptable in an emergency location
scenario.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system
architecture for performing a positioning process in a mobile
device having carrier aggregation capabilities;
[0007] FIG. 2A is block diagram of one embodiment of a dual
receiver dual-standby mobile device having carrier aggregation
capabilities;
[0008] FIG. 2B is block diagram of one embodiment of a single
receiver dual-standby mobile device having carrier aggregation
capabilities;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for
performing a positioning process with a mobile device having
carrier aggregation capabilities based, at least in part, on
wireless communication network reference signals; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of another method
for performing a positioning process with a mobile device having
carrier aggregation capabilities;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for
tuning different receivers of a mobile device to different wireless
communications networks for performing a hybrid positioning
process;
[0012] FIG. 6 is block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The word "exemplary" or "example" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect or
embodiment described herein as "exemplary" or as an "example" in
not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over
other aspects or embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system
architecture for performing a positioning process in a mobile
device having carrier aggregation capabilities. In one embodiment,
the system 100 includes a mobile device 110. Mobile device 110 is a
mobile computing device, such as a mobile telephone, personal
digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device, gaming device,
medical device, etc. capable of sending and receiving wireless
communications over the wireless communications network(s). In one
embodiment, the mobile device 110 is a dual-sim dual-standby mobile
device having carrier aggregation capabilities. However, consistent
with the discussion herein, mobile device 110 may have carrier
aggregation capabilities and include more than two SIMs, or may be
a single SIM mobile device, with a carrier aggregation receiver.
Embodiments of mobile devices are discussed in greater detail
below.
[0015] The system may also include two or more wireless
communications networks established by one or more of base stations
(e.g., base stations 120 and 130), wireless access point 150, and
satellite system 140. In one embodiment, a first wireless
communications network is established by base station 120, and a
second wireless communications network is established by base
station 130. Although only two base stations are illustrated,
additional base stations can be deployed to further established the
first and second wireless communications networks, as well as to
established additional wireless communications networks. In
embodiments, different wireless communication networks may each
operate using the same or different wireless communication
technology supporting the same or different Radio Access
Technologies (RATs), as supported by the base stations (e.g., base
stations 120 and 130), one or more wireless access points (e.g.,
wireless access point 150), and one or more satellite systems
(e.g., satellite system 140). For example, any combination of LTE,
CDMA, CDMA2K, GSM, etc. communication networks, as well as
communications network supporting future RATs (e.g., a 5G
communications network), may coexist within the system architecture
100 of FIG. 1. Furthermore, the different wireless communications
networks established by base stations 120 and 130 may be wireless
communications networks of the same or different carrier.
[0016] In one embodiment, base station 120, as well as additional
base stations (not illustrated) that are part of the same first
wireless communications network, provide a wireless communications
network that utilizes a first type of RAT, such as LTE.
Furthermore, the wireless communications network may provide
additional support for circuit switched fallback (CSFB) services,
such as providing voice and messaging services to mobile devices
utilizing communication technologies, such as non-LTE GSM.
[0017] In one embodiment, base station 130, as well as additional
base stations (not illustrated) that are part of the same second
wireless communications network, provide a communications network
utilizing a second RAT, such as a non-LTE RAT. In one embodiment,
the second communications network is a GSM, LTE, etc.
communications network.
[0018] In one embodiment, mobile device 110 may communicate over
both the first communications network established by base station
120 and the second communications network established by base
station 130. In one embodiment, to enable communication over the
different wireless communications networks with different
technologies, mobile device 110 may include one, two, or more
subscriber information modules (SIMs). That is, mobile device 110
is capable of receiving, sending, and processing signals over a
first RAT (e.g., over an LTE communications network) established by
base station 120, and is capable of receiving, sending, and
processing signals over a second RAT (e.g., from a non-LTE
communications network) established by base station 130. Each SIM
within mobile device 110 may provide access to different wireless
communications networks of different carriers. Furthermore, each
SIM may enable mobile device 110 to connect to different wireless
communication networks of the same carrier.
[0019] In one embodiment, positioning determining entity 160 is
communicably coupled to one or more of the wireless communications
networks via base station 120, base station 130, and/or wireless
access point 150. As will be discussed in greater detail below,
position determining entity 160 can determine a real-world location
of the mobile device 110. Furthermore, the location of mobile
device 110 can be determined by the position determining entity 160
based on one or more types of signals, measurements, and/or reports
communicated from the mobile device 110 to the positioning
determining entity 160. For example, position determining entity
160 may use reference signal time difference (RSTD) measurements
generated by, and reported from, the mobile device 110 to perform
an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) positioning
determination for mobile device 110. As another example, position
determining entity 160 may use round trip time (RTT) measurements
generated by, and reported from, the mobile device 110 to perform
an enhanced cellID (ECID) positioning determination for mobile
device 110. Another positioning method that may be performed using
the reference signals is a mobile device 110 based wireless WAN
positioning determination using LTE CRS/PRS signal measurements
where mobile device 110 generates ranging measurements from
captured CRS/PRS signals and uses the measurements with assistance
data (e.g., base station almanac data) to compute its own position,
such as a CRS/PRS downlink positioning process. Furthermore, pilot
signal measurements generated by mobile device from pilot phase
measurement (PPM) signals of a plurality of base stations may be
used by position determining entity 160 to perform a trilateration
based positioning determination, such as advanced forward link
trilateration (AFLT). As yet another example, global navigation
satellite system (GNSS) signals/measurements may also be collected,
generated, and reported from, mobile device 110 to position
determining entity to perform a GNSS positioning determination for
mobile device 110. In one embodiment, position determining entity
160 can determine the mobile device's 110 position using one or
more different positioning determination techniques, based on the
type of positioning data reports received from mobile device 110,
to perform either a standard or hybrid positioning determination.
In embodiments, once position determining entity 160 has calculated
the position of mobile device 110, based on the received data,
position determining entity 160 provides the position to mobile
device 110, to an emergency services provider 110, to any of the
base stations (e.g., base station 120 and/or 130), to other
wireless communications network entities (not shown), etc. Although
position determining entity 160 is illustrated external to mobile
device 110, in one embodiment, the mobile device itself may include
the position determining entity and utilize the measurements to
perform the positioning process(es) discussed herein within the
mobile device. In yet another embodiment, a position determining
entity within mobile device 110 may perform the positioning
process(es) discussed herein in conjunction with position
determining entity 160.
[0020] In one embodiment, for example, mobile device 110 is a
dual-SIM dual standby mobile device, where each of the SIMs within
mobile device 110 enables the mobile device 110 to
connect/subscribe to different communications networks. The
different wireless communications network may be provided by
different wireless network carriers (e.g., a first SIM enables
access to carrier A's LTE communications network, and a second SIM
enables access to carrier B's non-LTE communications network).
Furthermore, a single SIM within mobile device 110 may also enable
mobile device 110 to connect/subscribe to wireless communication
networks utilizing different RATs provided by the same wireless
network carrier (e.g., the first SIM enables access to carrier A's
LTE communications network, and also enables access to carrier A's
non-LTE communications network). In one embodiment, mobile device's
110 carrier aggregation (CA) capabilities enable coordinating
communication and/or data usage over the different communications
networks and/or subscriptions. However, because the mobile device
110 is a dual standby mobile device, when mobile device 110
utilizes a first SIM to connect to one network (e.g., to place or
receive a call), the other SIM providing access to the other
network goes out of service. In embodiments, discussed in greater
detail below, the mobile device 110 may be either a single receiver
mobile device or a dual receiver mobile device capable of
communicating over the different wireless communications networks
using different RATs. Furthermore, as will be discussed in greater
detail below, the carrier aggregation capabilities of the mobile
device 110 may be used to listen for, and collect, signals
broadcast over a first communication network utilizing a first RAT
and/or a second communications network utilizing a second RAT to
perform a positioning process on the mobile device and/or in
conjunction with the positioning determining entity 160.
Furthermore, the positioning process can be performed by the mobile
device 110 utilizing RAT reference signals even when RAT
capabilities of the mobile device for the communications network
supporting that RAT are out of service, and when the mobile device
is connected to another communications network that utilizes a
different RAT.
[0021] FIG. 2A is block diagram of one embodiment 200 of a dual
receiver dual-standby mobile device 210 having carrier aggregation
capabilities.
[0022] The illustrated dual receiver dual standby mobile device 210
may include one, two, or more SIMs (e.g., SIM(s) 218) for accessing
wireless communications networks of the same or different wireless
communications network carriers. A first sub 220 enables a
subscription to a first wireless communication network, and a first
transceiver/receiver 225 coupled with the first sub 220 enables the
sending and receiving of signals over a first RAT using the first
wireless communication network (e.g., a wireless communications
network established by base station 120). The dual receiver
dual-standby mobile device 210 further includes a second sub 230
coupled with a second receiver 235 for sending and receiving
signals over a second RAT using a second wireless communication
network (e.g., a wireless communications network established by
base station 130). For example, the sub SIM 220 may be coupled with
a receiver/transceiver that supports a SRLTE/CSFB wireless
communications network, and the second sub 230 may be coupled with
a receiver that supports another wireless communications technology
(e.g., SRLTE, WCDMA, etc.). In one embodiment, the second sub 230
utilizes the transceiver 225 to send signals using the second RAT
over the second wireless communications network. Furthermore, in
embodiments, the same SIM from SIM(s) 218 may provide access to
different wireless communications networks of the same carrier
utilizing subs 220 and 230, or different SIMs from SIM(s) 218 may
each provide access utilizing subs 220 and 230 to a different
wireless communications network provided by different carriers.
[0023] The dual receiver dual standby mobile device 210 further
includes a carrier aggregation module 240 coupled with a carrier
aggregation receiver 245. The carrier aggregation receiver 245 is
an independently tunable receiver of mobile device 210 capable of
tuning to networks using different RATs, such as tuning to either
an LTE network or a non-LTE network. In one embodiment, the carrier
aggregation receiver 245 is not a transceiver, and is therefore not
capable of transmission. However, the carrier aggregation receiver
245 can tune to the different wireless communications networks to
coordinate data usage between the networks for the mobile device
210, determine which of the SIM(s) 218 to use for a connection,
share resources by connections established for subs 220 and 230
and/or SIM(s) 218, etc. Carrier aggregation module 240 is
responsible for tuning the carrier aggregation receiver 245 to the
appropriate network using the appropriate RAT.
[0024] As discussed herein, for embodiments of dual receiver dual
standby mobile devices supporting LTE and non-LTE RATs, such as
mobile device 210, when a voice over non-LTE call is processed
using the first sub 220, LTE capabilities provided by the first sub
220 and services provided by the second sub 230 both go out of
service. Similarly, when a voice over non-LTE call is processed
using the second sub 230, the entire first sub 220 (including LTE
services provided by the first sub 220) will go out of service. As
yet another example, when a non-LTE voice call over a first LTE
communication network is processed by a first sub (e.g., sub 220),
the second sub (e.g., sub 230) that may provide access to a second
LTE communication network providing specific system information
blocks discussed in greater detail below will go out of service. As
discussed above, this is due to the dual receiver dual-standby
mobile device having only one transceiver 225.
[0025] FIG. 2B illustrates a similar mobile device 260 to mobile
device 210 illustrated in FIG. 2A. However, mobile device 260 is a
single receiver dual-standby mobile device. As discussed above,
mobile device 260 may also include one or more SIMs (e.g., SIM(s)
218) for providing access to different carrier networks. In mobile
device 260, both subs (e.g., subs 270 and 280) share the single
transceiver/receiver 275 for sending and receiving signals on their
respective wireless communication networks. Furthermore, mobile
device 260 also includes a carrier aggregation module 240 for
controlling the carrier aggregation receiver 245 for coordinating
usage of the different subs 270 and 280, and the different SIMs
218. For example, in an embodiment where mobile device 260
processes a voice call utilizing a non-LTE RAT, all LTE RAT
services provided by sub 270 and sub 280 go out of service as a
result of also having a single transceiver 275 chain.
[0026] As discussed in greater detail below, both mobile devices
(e.g., 210 and 260) further include GNSS engine 212, positioning
controller 214, and assistance data manager 216 for performing a
positioning process. In one embodiment, with reference to FIG. 2A,
and similarly for FIG. 2B, after initiating (e.g., receiving or
placing) a voice call over a first RAT (e.g., voice call initiated
on a network utilizing a non-LTE RAT), which causes the second RAT
capabilities (e.g., LTE capabilities) of mobile device 210 to go
out of service, a positioning process is started by GNSS engine
212. In one embodiment, the positioning process is automatically
triggered in response to detecting that the mobile device 210 is
participating in an emergency call. In other embodiments, the
positioning process may be started in response to different
factors, such as in response to a user request, in response to a
position-based application running on the mobile device 210, in
response to a network initiated location request, in response to a
mobile terminated location request, or any other mobile device,
positioning entity, third party server, or network request.
[0027] In one embodiment, during the positioning process,
positioning controller 214 determines that second RAT capabilities
are out of service, and instructs the carrier aggregation module
240 to tune the carrier aggregation receiver 245 to a wireless
communications network supporting either the first or second RATs,
such as an LTE communications network or a CDMA2000 network, which
is broadcasting signals that will enable mobile device 210 to
perform and/or participate in the positioning process. In one
embodiment, because the carrier aggregation receiver 245 is an
independently tunable receiver (e.g., can be tuned to any supported
communications network regardless of which sub is connected to
which network), the carrier aggregation receiver 245 is able to
listen for various broadcast information transmitted over networks
supporting either the first or second RATs (e.g., over LTE RAT or
non-LTE RAT communications networks). In one embodiment, carrier
aggregation module 240 utilizes the carrier aggregation receiver
245 to search for, and obtain, specific types of reference signals.
In one embodiment, for example, the carrier aggregation receiver
245 tunes to an LTE network, and gathers PRS and/or CRS reference
signals. In another embodiment, the carrier aggregation receiver
245 tunes to a CDMA2000 network, and gathers PPM signals. In
embodiments where more than one independently tunable receiver is
available during a call, the available receivers of mobile device
210 can tune to a combination of different networks for gathering
different types of signals.
[0028] In the embodiments discussed herein, simultaneous with the
voice call over the first RAT, the transceiver/receiver 225 used
for the voice call is also used to obtain positioning assistance
data. In one embodiment, however, the positioning controller 214
may initially determine if positioning assistance data for
capturing PRS, CRS, PPM, and/or RSTD information for performing a
positioning process is already stored on mobile device 210 or can
be generated by mobile device 210 from prior assistance data. In
either embodiment, assistance data may be obtained by assistance
data manager 216 periodically and/or before the initiation of the
positioning process. The assistance data manager 216 of mobile
device 210 is able to utilize bandwidth within a user and/or
control signaling channel established during the voice call to
obtain, and decode, assistance data in parallel with the ongoing
call when positioning assistance data is needed. In one embodiment,
the assistance data can be obtained by the assistance data manager
216 of mobile device 210 upon a request sent to a network entity
having the assistance data, an assistance data server, or other
source. The assistance data, whether obtained from a network
entity, stored by mobile device 210, or generated by mobile device
from previous data, enables the positioning controller 214 to
control the carrier aggregation receiver 245 to tune to the
appropriate frequencies at the appropriate times to obtain the
needed signal data. For example, if mobile device 210 is performing
and/or participating in an OTDOA positioning process using PRS
signals broadcast over an LTE network, the assistance data can
include, among other data, reference signal broadcast timing,
reference signal uncertainty data, range of search window, sequence
availability identification, etc. As another example, if mobile
device 210 is performing a mobile device 110 based wireless WAN
positioning determination based on CRS signals broadcast over an
LTE network, the assistance data can include, among other data,
base station almanac information such as cell IDs that provide
assistance data, frequency of those cells, cell bandwidth,
indication of normal or extended cyclic prefix, expected time of
arrival, time of arrival uncertainty, etc. As yet another example,
if mobile device 210 is performing a positioning process using PPM
signals broadcast over a CDMA2000 network, the assistance data can
include, among other data, pseudo-noise (PN) offset phase
information relevant to AFLT positioning. Additional types of
reference signals and associated assistance data, such as GNSS
assistance data for GNNS signal acquisition, can be utilized in
accordance with the discussion herein. Thus, the assistance data
can be GNSS assistance data used for GNSS signal acquisition, AFLT
assistance data used for CDMA2000 signal PPM measurements, and
OTDOA/mobile-based WWAN assistance data. Furthermore, in
embodiments, mobile device 210 can perform or participate in a
hybrid positioning based on one or more of GNSS, AFLT, and
OTDOA/mobile-based WWAN positioning methods. These hybrid
positioning methods enable a position of mobile device 210 to be
determined with sufficiently high levels of accuracy, even in
indoor/low-visibility scenarios where GNSS based positioning would
fail, be inefficient, or inaccurate.
[0029] In one embodiment, with this assistance data, the
positioning controller 214 of the mobile device 210 obtains the
necessary signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, or PPM) by tuning the carrier
aggregation receiver 245 to the appropriate network for capturing
the necessary signals during the time windows indicated in the
assistance data. From the signal data, the positioning controller
214 decodes the data within the signals and generates one or more
measurements for performing the positioning process, such as RSTD
measurements calculated from PRS signals. These measurements are
then provided to a positioning entity (e.g., position determining
entity 160 in FIG. 1) within the communications network to which
the mobile device 210 is connected, which can use the measurements
to calculate a position of the mobile device 210. In embodiments,
the position of the mobile device 210 determined by the positioning
entity can be returned to the mobile device 210, transmitted to an
emergency services provider (e.g., when mobile device 210 is
engaged in an emergency services call), transmitted to a network
entity (e.g., a position tracking entity within a wireless
communications network), etc., as well as any combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the mobile device 210 itself can include its
own position determining entity (not shown) to perform the
positioning process without having to communicate with a network
based position determining entity (e.g., position determining
entity 160 in FIG. 1).
[0030] Furthermore, in one embodiment, where the mobile device 210
is able to receive satellite signals, the assistance data can, in
some circumstances, further assists mobile device 210 in receiving,
for example, GPS PRM measurements. Such GNSS signals enable mobile
device 210 to collect the PRM measurements and provide them to the
positioning entity (e.g., position determining entity 160 in FIG.
1) for performing a GNSS based positioning process. In one
embodiment, the GNSS positioning process and the one or more of the
other positioning processes discussed herein (e.g., one based on
PRS, CRS, and/or PPM signals) can be carried out in parallel to
enable the position determining entity to perform a hybrid
positioning process. Furthermore, additional positioning
techniques, such as enhanced cell ID (ECID) using the round trip
times of one or more of the gathered signals may be used to
determine a coarse position of the mobile device 210 in conjunction
with, or as a seed value for, the other positioning processes
discussed herein. Such hybrid positioning processes may be utilized
to increase the accuracy of the position determination for mobile
device 210, to increase the efficiency of the position
determination, etc.
[0031] In the embodiments discussed herein, the OTDOA and downlink
positioning processes enable the mobile device 210 to participate
in a positioning process using LTE network data, which can be both
faster and more power efficient than GNSS positioning. Furthermore,
the OTDOA and downlink positioning processes can be performed by
the mobile device 210 even when GNSS signal data is weak or not
available (e.g., when the mobile device 210 is indoors or in other
weak signal environments). Additionally, because the mobile device
210 is in a connected state during the positioning process (e.g.,
the positioning process occurs during the voice call), the power
management states of the device already in use for the call can be
further used to carry out the positioning processes discussed
herein. That is, since all mobile device 210 phase-locked loops
(PLLs) will be active, they can be used to tune to desired
frequencies (e.g., tuning to LTE or CDMA signals for CRS/PRS/PPM
measurements) with little/no power impact. The power savings are
great compared to the power consumption caused due to GNSS based
positioning. The assistance data gathering using the control and/or
user signaling channels, signal gathering by the available tuner,
and measurement reporting will not need to use additional power
management states, and the positioning processes can be performed
with minimal/no impact on the power consumption of the mobile
device.
[0032] Although FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate and describe the carrier
aggregation receiver 245 as the available/independently tunable
receiver, other embodiments can use any available receiver capable
of being independently tuned to a communications network that uses
a RAT providing appropriate reference signals to perform the
information acquisition and positioning processes discussed herein.
Furthermore, the mobile device discussed herein need not be limited
by the number of SIMs within the device, as devices with additional
SIMs (e.g., two SIM, three SIM, four SIM, etc. devices) may also
utilize the information acquisition and positioning processes
discussed herein. Furthermore, a mobile device having a single SIM,
but also having an independently tunable receiver for carrier
aggregation, may also utilize the information acquisition and
positioning processes discussed herein.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 300
for performing a positioning process with a mobile device having
carrier aggregation capabilities based, at least in part, on
wireless communication network reference signals. The method 300 is
performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware
(circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a
general purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), firmware,
or a combination. In one embodiment, the method 300 is performed by
a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 110, 210, or 260).
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, processing logic at the mobile device
begins by processing a voice call via a first RAT, the processing
of the voice call causing second RAT capabilities of the mobile
device to go out of service (processing block 302). In embodiments,
discussed herein, the mobile device may be a dual subscription
dual-standby mobile device with carrier aggregation capabilities
(DSDS+CA mobile device). Furthermore, the mobile device may have a
different receiver for each sub within the mobile device, or a
single receiver shared by each sub within the mobile device.
However, each of these devices utilizes a single transceiver for
transmitting signals during the voice call over the first RAT. For
example, where the second RAT is an LTE RAT and the first RAT is a
non-LTE RAT, when a voice call over the non-LTE RAT communicably
couples the mobile device's single transceiver to a wireless
communications network during the voice call, LTE RAT capabilities
of the mobile device go out of service.
[0035] Processing logic then obtains assistance data that includes
information for capturing reference signals of a wireless
communications network suitable for performing a positioning
process with the mobile device during the voice call over the first
RAT (processing block 304). In one embodiment, the assistance data
may be obtained in response to a positioning process being
initiated by a user of the mobile device during the voice call, by
the mobile device itself (e.g., in response to an application,
emergency condition, etc. triggered on the mobile device), or by
the wireless communications network to which the mobile device is
communicably coupled (e.g., by a base station, wireless access
point, etc. detecting an emergency services call). Furthermore, in
embodiments, the assistance data may also be obtained, such as
during a voice call before the positioning process is initiated,
when a voice call is placed, before the voice call is placed, as
well as during other periods. In one embodiment, the positioning
process that is initiated may include the initiation of one or more
positioning processes that utilize first and/or second RAT
reference signals of different wireless communications networks
(e.g., LTE and/or non-LTE reference signals). The assistance data
obtained by processing logic would provide signal configuration
data, such as range of search window, identification data for
signal, uncertainty data, etc. For example, the assistance data may
include information relevant to PRS and/or CRS signals of an LTE
wireless communications network when the initiated positioning
process is an OTDOA and/or downlink positioning process that
utilizes PRS and/or CRS signals. As another example, the assistance
data may include information for PPM signals of a CDMA2000 wireless
communications network relevant to a positioning process performed
using the PPM signals.
[0036] Based on the obtained assistance data, processing logic
searches for the reference signals using an available receiver of
the mobile device to access the wireless communications network
(processing block 306). In one embodiment, the available receiver
is not a transceiver and thus is not capable of transmitting
signals. However, the mobile device having carrier aggregation
capabilities includes a carrier aggregation receiver typically
utilized by the device when coordinating communication and/or data
usage of the mobile device between different wireless
communications networks. Because the carrier aggregation receiver
is an independently tunable receiver (e.g., can be tuned to
different radio reception frequencies regardless of the other
receiver/transceiver of mobile device being dedicatedly assigned to
a specific network or placed out-of-service), the carrier
aggregation receiver can be used by processing logic as the
available receiver. Processing logic tunes the carrier aggregation
receiver to a selected wireless communications network to access
the network based on the type of positioning process that was
initiated and/or the type of reference signals to be gathered. For
example, the carrier aggregation receiver can be tuned to access an
LTE wireless communications network to listen for, and gather, PRS
and/or CRS signals. Similarly, the carrier aggregation receiver can
be tuned to access a CDMA2000 wireless communications network to
listen for, and gather PPM reference signals. In embodiments
discussed herein, additional receivers can also be tuned to access
additional networks when gathering signals relevant for performing
the positioning process and/or for performing a hybrid positioning
process.
[0037] Processing logic then provides signal measurements generated
from captured reference signals to a position determining entity
(processing block 308) and obtains a position of the mobile device
from the position determining entity (processing block 310). As
discussed herein, the signal measurements, such as RSTD
measurements, RTT measurements, GNSS measurements, etc., can be
communicated to a wireless communications network entity, such as a
position determining entity. Such positioning determining entities
utilize the received measurements to compute a position of the
mobile device based on one or more of the types of information.
This determined position may then be transmitted back to the mobile
device. However, in one embodiment, the mobile device itself may
include a position determining entity that utilizes the
measurements to perform the positioning process within the mobile
device. In yet another embodiment, a position determining entity
within mobile device may perform the positioning process in
conjunction with an external position determining entity (e.g.,
position determining entity 160).
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of another method
400 for performing a positioning process with a mobile device
having carrier aggregation capabilities. The method 400 is
performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware
(circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a
general purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), firmware,
or a combination. In one embodiment, the method 400 is performed by
a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 110, 210, or 260).
Furthermore, the process illustrated in FIG. 4 provides an example
where LTE and non-LTE RATs are utilized in a dual subscriber dual
standby mobile device with carrier aggregation.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, processing logic begins by initiating a
voice over non-LTE call on a dual subscriber dual standby mobile
device with carrier aggregation (DSDS+CA) (processing block 402).
Processing logic then processes the call using the receiver of one
of the subs and puts the LTE capabilities of the mobile device out
of service (processing block 404). As discussed herein, a DSDS+CA
mobile device may support communication over LTE wireless
communication networks, as well as over non-LTE wireless
communications networks, where the different networks can be
provided by the same carrier or different carriers. As further
discussed herein, when a voice over non-LTE call is received and/or
placed by the DSDS+CA mobile device (e.g., a CSFB call utilizing a
sub that supports LTE, or a GSM or other RAT call utilizing a
different sub that supports communication on an different network),
the LTE capabilities provided by both subs of the DSDS+CA device go
out of service.
[0040] Processing logic then determines if a positioning process is
initiated (processing block 406). For example, during the non-LTE
voice call, a user may initiate a positioning process on a mobile
device by requesting a location-based service, launching a
location-based application, triggering an emergency function, etc.
As another example, a positioning process may alternatively be
initiated by the mobile device or the wireless network, such as
when the mobile device detects an emergency condition or when the
wireless network seeks location/tracking information associated
with the mobile device. When a positioning process is not
initiated, the process returns to processing block 404 to continue
processing the call.
[0041] However, when a positioning process has been initiated, the
process will continue to process the call, but also advances to
processing block 408 and obtain assistance data for performing the
positioning process based, at least in part, on wireless network
reference signals (processing block 408). In one embodiment,
processing logic is able to utilize bandwidth in a user and/or
control signaling channel already established for the ongoing call
to obtain the assistance data. Thus, obtaining the assistance data
need not consume additional bandwidth and/or resources of the
mobile device during the call. As discussed above, the assistance
data includes data that identifies the network, timing,
identification, etc. for the signals to be collected. For example,
search window range, signal identifiers, expected data, uncertainty
information, etc. can be specified in the assistance data to enable
processing logic to collect PRS and/or CRS signals broadcast on an
LTE network, and PPM signals broadcast on a CDMA2000 network. Based
on the received assistance data, processing logic tunes a carrier
aggregation receiver to an appropriate wireless communications
network (processing logic 410). In embodiments, additional
independently tunable receivers can be tuned to the same and/or
other wireless communications networks for obtaining additional
types of reference signals.
[0042] Processing logic obtains, decodes, and transfers data from
the wireless network reference signals to a position determining
entity (processing block 412). That is, processing logic utilizes
the available receiver and the assistance data to obtain the
appropriate reference signals (e.g., PRS, CRS, and PPM), as well as
other signals (e.g., GNSS). These signals may then be decoded, and
measurements generated from the signals, such as round trip time
measurements, reference signal time difference measurements, etc.
The measurements are suitable for performing a positioning process
and are therefore transferred to the position determining entity.
However, in other embodiments, processing logic of the mobile
device could perform the positioning determination at the mobile
device, or in conjunction with the position determining entity.
[0043] When there is insufficient positioning process information
(processing block 414), processing logic returns to processing
block 412 to obtain additional data suitable for determining the
mobile device's position. For example, processing logic and the
position determining entity may exchange messages indicating when
sufficient information has been received by position determining
entity to complete the position determination. As another example,
processing logic can send a predetermined number of measurements
sufficient to enable the position determining entity to complete
the positioning determination. When there is sufficient positioning
process information, processing logic receives the DSDS mobile
device's position as determined by the position determining entity
(processing block 416). As discussed herein, in the case of an
emergency services call, this position may be transferred from the
mobile device to an emergency services provider. Furthermore, the
positioning determining entity may communicate the mobile device's
positon to the emergency services provider.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 500
for tuning different receivers of a mobile device to different
wireless communications networks for performing a hybrid
positioning process. The method 500 is performed by processing
logic that may comprise hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic,
etc.), software (such as is run on a general purpose computer
system or a dedicated machine), firmware, or a combination. In one
embodiment, the method 500 is performed by a mobile device (e.g.,
mobile device 110, 210, or 260).
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, processing logic begins by initiating a
hybrid positioning process on a dual subscriber dual standby (DSDS)
mobile device during a voice call over a first RAT (processing
block 502). In one embodiment, the first RAT is a non-LTE RAT, such
as CDMA2000 , GSM, etc. In one embodiment, the hybrid positioning
process is initiated when the DSDS mobile device includes two or
more independently tunable receivers that are not participating in
the call. For example, the DSDS mobile device may include a carrier
aggregation receiver as well as one or more independently tunable
wireless communication network, wireless local area network, GNSS,
etc. receivers.
[0046] Processing logic then tunes the carrier aggregation receiver
to a first wireless communications network (processing block 504)
and tunes at least a second, independently tunable, receiver to a
second wireless communications network (processing block 506). For
example, the carrier aggregation receiver could be tuned to a
communications network that supports an LTE RAT, even though LTE is
currently out of service due to the voice call over the first,
non-LTE RAT, in order to gather PRS and/or CRS reference signals.
At the same time, processing logic could also tune a GNSS and/or
wireless communications network receiver to a different
communications network to receive GNSS signals from one or more
GNSS satellites and/or to receive PPM signals broadcast over a
CDMA2000 (e.g., non-LTE) wireless communications network. In
embodiments, any number of independently tunable receivers can be
tuned by processing logic to different networks to gather different
types of signal data useful for performing the hybrid positioning
process.
[0047] Processing logic gathers the different types of positioning
information from signals received from the first and second
wireless communications networks using the first and second
receivers (processing block 508) and provides the different types
of positioning information to a position determining entity for
performing the hybrid positioning process (processing block 510).
In embodiment, processing logic of the mobile device could perform
the hybrid positioning process at the mobile device utilizing the
different type of positioning information. In either scenario, the
determined position of the mobile device could thereafter be
utilized by the mobile device, communicated to a network entity,
etc. as discussed herein.
[0048] FIG. 6 is block diagram of one embodiment 600 of a mobile
device. Mobile device 610 provides additional details for mobile
device 210 discussed above in FIG. 2A and mobile device 260
discussed above in FIG. 2B.
[0049] In one embodiment, mobile device 610 is a system, which may
include one or more processors 612, a memory 605, I/O controller
625, network interface 604, and display 620. Mobile device 610 may
also include a number of processing modules, which may be
implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination, such
as GNSS engine 635, positioning controller 640, carrier aggregation
module 645, and assistance data manager 650. It should be
appreciated that mobile device 610 may also include, although not
illustrated, a user interface (e.g., microphones, keyboard,
touch-screen, or similar devices), a power device (e.g., a
battery), as well as other components typically associated with
electronic devices. Although only a single wireless subsystem 615
is illustrated, it is understood that network interface 604 may
also be coupled to a number of wireless subsystems 615 (e.g.,
Bluetooth, WLAN, Cellular, or other networks) to transmit and
receive data streams through a wireless link to/from a network.
Network interface 604 may also be a wired interface for direct
connection to networks (e.g., the Internet, Ethernet, or other
wireless systems). In one embodiment, wireless subsystem 615
couples mobile device 610 to a wireless communications network
established by one or more wireless access points, base stations,
satellite systems, etc., such as an LTE and non-LTE wireless
communications networks.
[0050] Memory 605 may be coupled to processor 612 to store
instructions for execution by processor 612. In some embodiments,
memory 605 is non-transitory. Memory 605 may also store one or more
processing modules (i.e., GNSS engine 635, positioning controller
640, carrier aggregation module 645, and/or assistance data manager
650) to implement embodiments described below. It should be
appreciated that embodiments of the invention as described herein
may be implemented through the execution of instructions, for
example as stored in the memory 605 or other element, by processor
612 of mobile device 610 and/or other circuitry of mobile device
610 and/or other devices. Particularly, circuitry of mobile device
610, including but not limited to processor 612, may operate under
the control of a program, routine, or the execution of instructions
to execute methods or processes in accordance with embodiments of
the invention. For example, such a program may be implemented in
firmware or software (e.g. stored in memory 605 and/or other
locations) and may be implemented by processors, such as processor
612, and/or other circuitry of mobile device 610. Further, it
should be appreciated that the terms processor, microprocessor,
circuitry, controller, etc., may refer to any type of logic or
circuitry capable of executing logic, commands, instructions,
software, firmware, functionality and the like.
[0051] Further, it should be appreciated that some or all of the
functions, engines, managers, or modules described herein may be
performed by mobile device 610 itself and/or some or all of the
functions, engines or modules described herein may be performed by
another system connected through I/O controller 625 or network
interface 604 (wirelessly or wired) to mobile device 610. Thus,
some and/or all of the functions may be performed by another system
and the results or intermediate calculations may be transferred
back to mobile device 610.
[0052] It should be appreciated that when the device discussed
herein is a mobile or wireless device, that it may communicate via
one or more wireless communication links through a wireless network
that are based on or otherwise support any suitable wireless
communication technology. For example, in some aspects mobile
device may associate with a network including a wireless network.
In some aspects the network may comprise a body area network or a
personal area network (e.g., an ultra-wideband network). In some
aspects the network may comprise a local area network or a wide
area network. In some aspects, the network may comprise a wireless
communication network(s). A wireless device may support or
otherwise use one or more of a variety of wireless communication
technologies for communicating over the wireless communications
network(s), protocols, or standards such as, for example, LTE,
CDMA2K, CDMA, TDMA, OFDM, OFDMA, WiMAX, and WLAN. Similarly, a
wireless device may support or otherwise use one or more of a
variety of corresponding modulation or multiplexing schemes. A
mobile wireless device may wirelessly communicate with other mobile
devices, cell phones, other wired and wireless computers, Internet
web-sites, etc.
[0053] The teachings herein may be incorporated into (e.g.,
implemented within or performed by) a variety of apparatuses (e.g.,
devices). For example, one or more aspects taught herein may be
incorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone), a personal data
assistant (PDA), a tablet, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a
tablet, an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device), a
headset (e.g., headphones, an earpiece, etc.), a user I/O device,
or any other suitable device.
[0054] In some aspects a wireless device may comprise an access
device (e.g., a WLAN access point) for a communication system. Such
an access device may provide, for example, connectivity to another
network (e.g., a wide area network such as the Internet or a
cellular network) via a wired or wireless communication link.
Accordingly, the access device may enable another device (e.g., a
WLAN station) to access the other network or some other
functionality. In addition, it should be appreciated that one or
both of the devices may be portable or, in some cases, relatively
non-portable.
[0055] Those of skill in the art would understand that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0056] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may
be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present invention.
[0057] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed
herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0058] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in
hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a
combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory,
flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers,
hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage
medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to
the processor such the processor can read information from, and
write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the
storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and
the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a
user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage
medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
[0059] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions
described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or
any combination thereof. If implemented in software as a computer
program product, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over
as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory
computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media can include both
computer storage media and communication media including any medium
that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to
another. A storage media may be any available media that can be
accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
non-transitory computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be
used to carry or store desired program code in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a web site, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of non-transitory
computer-readable media.
[0060] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *