Patent Application
20220141776
The present invention relates to indoor mobile radio access networks, and more particularly to an indoor mobile radio access network configured to detect a wireless device, communicate with an application operating on the wireless device, and, based on a notification signal received from the application, provide location information to an emergency responder, where the location information includes at least Z-axis location information of the wireless device.
Mobile services providers use several techniques known in the art to provide licensed spectrum service in areas of dense population and areas with large signal degradation due to the presence of physical structures such as large buildings. These techniques include the use of femtocells, picocells, or Distributed Antenna Systems (“DAS”) to extend licensed spectrum networks in these environments. While such techniques can be used to provide basic services, they are not ideal and make it difficult for service providers to comply with various government regulations.
For example, the U.S. Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) has several requirements applicable to wireless telephones. In 1996, the FCC issued an order requiring service providers to determine and transmit location information for 911 calls. The FCC set up a two-phase program, where phase 1 involved sending the location of the receiving antenna for 911 calls, and phase 2 involved sending location information for wireless devices making 911 calls. Service providers were allowed to choose either a handset-based location method (e.g., using a Global Positioning System, or GPS) or a network-based location method (e.g., using triangulation between cell towers). The order set accuracy requirements that required the location information to be within 50 meters for 67% of calls, and within 150 meters for 90% of calls if the handset-based location method was used, and within 100 meters for 67% of calls, and within 300 meters for 90% of calls if the network-based location method was used. And to complicate matters further, in July 2011, the FCC announced a proposed rule requiring that after an eight-year implementation period (i.e., in 2019), service providers will be required to meet even more stringent location accuracy requirements. While current techniques can be used to provide general location information (e.g., the location of a particular building), they cannot be used to provide detailed location information (e.g., the location of a caller within a particular building), and they certainly cannot be used to provide Z-axis location information (e.g., the floor that the call is on), which can be of particular importance if the caller is within a very tall building, such as the new Freedom Tower in New York, which has over 100 floors.
Thus, not only would it be useful to have a radio access network solution for high population density areas with closely situated large structures that offers improved service to users, removes load from existing macro-networks, requires minimal additional infrastructure to deploy, and does not interfere with the existing macro-network, but it would also be beneficial to have a solution that allows service providers to provide detailed location information (e.g., X, Y and/or Z-axis information) for wireless devices used to make emergency “911” calls. Such a solution could also be used to provide location information to a service provider and/or advertisements to a wireless device based on a request for certain information and/or the performance of other functionalities.
The present invention provides a multi-standard indoor mobile radio access network by utilizing existing building infrastructure coupled with Ingress/Egress detection, configurable radio heads, radio synchronization technology, interface gateways, and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) routers to integrate with existing macro-networks. The present invention further includes a configurable application, which operates on a wireless device, is controlled by the mobile radio access network, and functions by monitoring the wireless device and notifying the network when the wireless device is being used to request emergency assistance.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, the core architecture of a mobile radio access network includes a plurality of radio heads, wherein each radio head provides a wideband analog front end to a network. Each radio head also performs base band processing and digitization, and is connected to existing wiring in a building (e.g., Ethernet wiring, etc.). The wiring directly connects between each radio head and an interface gateway. The interface gateway is responsible for directing and receiving communication from each of the service providers. The interface gateway transmits data through an MPLS Router, which has a label based link to each service provider's small cell gateway. After processing the data from each radio head channel by the interface gateway, service provider networks will view the data as if they are communicating with a dense cluster of femtocells. This is possible because the interface gateway aggregates the information from many radio heads, which serve multiple services providers, and directs them to each service provider individually.
The ability to achieve a high number of simultaneous channels in radio heads requires optimization of the amount of transmitted information. This can be achieved, for example, by using customized data packets that can be quickly processed to maximize throughput. The format of these data packets is programmable in both the radio heads and the interface gateway and as a result can be customized for a particular building. For example, each time a radio head sends data to the interface gateway, a header packet may include at least a radio head identification number (e.g., a unique identifier), location information (such as x-axis information (e.g., latitude, etc.), y-axis information (e.g., longitude, etc.), z-axis information (e.g., floor, elevation, altitude, etc.), etc.), the channel used, and a service provider identifier (e.g., the service provider of the wireless device in communication with the radio head). Since there are a finite number of service providers, this information can be encoded using a three-bit or four-bit number rather than an ASCII string or other large data format the provider itself uses as identification. The goal of using such packets is to allow processing of radio head data through efficient use of the available processing power in an interface gateway. The radio head will effectively be able to decode information by looking up associated values in a table or memory location.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each radio head transceiver includes a plurality of preselect filters, wherein each filter is tuned to a particular service or communications standard, a plurality of low noise amplifiers (LNAs), a plurality of RF down-converter, at least one analog-to-digital converter, at least one digital receive tuner/filter and a software defined radio (SDR) digital modem. Each LNA and down-converter can be wide-band, or tuned to a particular band or service. The digital receive tuner/filter can be incorporated into a single/multiple FPGAs, or a single custom ASIC. The modem is software programmable, and it will support multiple cellular services, and is reconfigurable through software. The modem supports existing 3G/4G protocols, and can also be programmed to support future protocols. The modem resultantly can support multiple protocols, multiple simultaneous carriers, and multiple modulation standards.
When the network detects users within the receiver range of the radio head, it then uses frequency and modulation characteristics of a device signal to determine a device's communication protocol. For example, in communications standards where users are allocated a small amount of bandwidth, the transmission frequency is indicative of both the service provider and communications protocol of the signal because each provider has licensed their own spectrum. However, in protocols like Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) where a broader spectrum is shared, a different technique such as reading carrier information from the unencrypted header of communicated data containing service provider identification can be used. This information is used to configure an appropriate transmit and receive channel in the SDR software for communication with the device. Because of this adaptability, the radio head acts as a ubiquitous transceiver for different service providers and communications protocols that is transparent to the user. This overcomes a significant disadvantage present in femtocells, picocells, and DAS systems that are provider specific.
Using an ingress and egress detection method the detection process begins as soon as a user enters a building. When the signal from the macro-network begins to attenuate, mobile devices increase their transmission power in order to maintain connection to the network. When this occurs, a sally port receiver detects the connection protocol and service provider of the device. This information is shared with the rest of the radio network, possibly in a table within the interface gateway. The interface gateway can determine whether the radio access network has available channels capable of handling the new user. The network can either reallocate idle resources to the user's protocol or place the user in a queue if none are available. If a channel is available, the appropriate radio heads establish a communication block within the SDR capable of handling the user. The mobile radio access network then communicates with the provider network to negotiate handoff of the user. At the same time the interface gateway coordinates with the radio heads to reallocate resources as needed for other users. Similarly, when a device user is connected to the mobile radio access network and begins exiting from the sally port, the mobile radio access network can begin negotiating handoff of the user back to the macro-network. Protocol detection in combination with the interaction between the interface gateway and the macro-networks allows for a seamless user experience during both ingress and egress.
Once they device user is detected, a user location detection function can be implemented within the radio access network, wherein the radio heads are used to determine mobile device and user location. The received power level from a particular mobile device is measured by a plurality of radio heads (e.g., at least two different radio heads, etc.). Since the absolute transmitted power by the mobile device is unknown, the relative received signal strength at the radio heads are compared and the location of the mobile device can be estimated based on the relative distances from the radio heads. Alternatively, or additionally, a “time of arrival” approach can be used to locate the position of a mobile device. In this layout, radio heads will look for a special signal or signal feature and create a timestamp of the signal feature arrival. Using the travel time of signals traveling through air at approximately 1 ns/ft over a distance between the device and the radio head, the relative position of the device is determined. In order for this method to be accurate, synchronization of the radio head timing is needed. Problems with the synchronization can also be determined by the use of additional radio heads. The position of the radio heads could potentially be programmed during radio head installation for maximum accuracy, but these techniques can also be applied for the radio heads to determine their own relative positions. For example, sensors can monitor the transmission from the radio head(s). This extra capability would allow the location measurements to remain accurate even if the radio heads are moved from the manually entered positions at installation.
These location methods are possible because of the aggregation of radio head data by the interface. A system of independent femtocells would be poorly suited to provide similar functionality because femtocells are designed to communicate directly with the service provider network. The scale of a large mobile network would make implementing this type of functionality remotely unwieldy and expensive because the network would need to know the physical location of each femtocell. Having radio head data that includes location information and including an interface gateway to manage this data reduces the task of device location to an achievable scale.
It should be noted that the location information provided does not only give latitude and longitude coordinates for each mobile device. The radio heads have floor information, allowing a user to be even more precisely located by including information about their altitude. This information is particularly useful when an emergency “911” phone call is made and the caller is unable to convey their exact location. The exact location information could be conveyed directly to emergency responders by remotely accessing the interface gateway data at a building security computer terminal. Also, it would not be difficult for a mobile service to gather the additional altitude or floor information in addition to other location information which would be relayed to emergency responders directly.
In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to determine that an emergency “911” call is being made, an application is installed on a wireless device in communication with the radio access network and is used to determine if the wireless device is making a 911 call. If it is, notification can be provided to the network, allowing the network to notify the emergency responder of the device's location. In accordance with this embodiment, the network (or a device on said network) is configured to recognize when the wireless device has entered a service area (e.g., entered a building). Once the wireless device has been detected, the network may be configured to transmit a wake-up signal to the wireless device. In response thereto, the wireless device may be configured to download and/or activate (or open) an application, wherein the application is configured to detect when an emergency “911” call has being made and to transmit a notification signal in response thereto. If a notification is received by the network, the network may be configured to communication location information (X, Y and/or Z-axis information) for the wireless device to the emergency responder, thereby allowing the emergency responder to more easily locate the individual that made the 911 call within the service area (e.g., within the building).
After a predetermined period of time, the network may also be configured to transmit a “ping” (or another recognizable signal) to the wireless device if the wireless device is still within the service area. If after the predetermined period of time, a “ping” is not received by the wireless device, the application (or code related thereto) may be configured to deactivate (or close) and/or uninstall the application from the wireless device. This allows the application to only remain active and/or on the wireless device when the wireless device is within the service area.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for monitoring a wireless device for the transmission of an emergency communication includes receiving a wake-up signal, which preferably happens once the wireless device has entered the service area. In response to the wake-up signal, a monitoring application is downloaded and/or activated (or opened). Once opened, the application functions by monitoring the wireless device for a request for emergency assistance, which may be, for example, a 911 telephone call. If it is determined that a request for emergency assistance has been made, a notification signal is provided to the network (or device in communication therewith). If no request for assistance is made, then it is determined whether a “ping” has been received from the network during a predetermined period of time. If it has, then the application continues to monitor for emergency assistance. If it has not, then the application is closed and/or uninstalled.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing location information to an emergency responder includes determining whether a wireless device is within a service area. If the wireless device is within the service area, then a wake-up signal is transmitted to the device. The wireless device is then monitored for the transmission of a notification signal. If the notification signal is received from the wireless device, then location information (e.g., X, Y and/or Z-axis information) is sent to an emergency responder. If after a predetermined period of time the wireless device is still within the service area, then a “ping” is transmitted to the wireless device, which keeps the monitoring application active and/or installed while the device is within the service area.
A more complete understanding of a multi-standard indoor mobile radio access network will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, which will first be described briefly.
An embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus and method for providing a multi-standard indoor mobile radio access network by utilizing existing building infrastructure coupled with Ingress/Egress detection, configurable radio heads, radio synchronization technology, interface gateways, and Multiprotocol Label Switching (“MPLS”) to integrate with existing macro-networks.
Data is ultimately routed to the service provider's macro-network at a Home NodeB Gateway (HNB-GW) for 3G or Home eNodeB Gateway (HeNB-GW) for LTE 816. These gateways are currently used in macro-networks for interfacing with femtocell radio network implementations. This means that this radio access network can appear to the macro-network as either a large collection of 3G femtocells or as an LTE eNodeB base station. By using this type of interface, no new protocols are needed to handle the handoff of callers, and the radio access network can be easily integrated into the existing macro-network infrastructure. Alternatively, if a particular service provider prefers not to see the radio access network as a collection of femtocells, the interface gateway has the capability of being programmed to communicate using a different preferred protocol. The interface gateway and MPLS devices can be located in a building basement where the existing closet Ethernet wiring 104 brings all of the radio head output cables to the location of a building's main Ethernet access area. Both internet connections and telephone communications come through the service provider gateway 110 in current cell network architectures. However, selected IP traffic can be routed directly from the MPLS Router 108 to the internet without traversing the service provider gateway 110. This technique is referred to as selected IP traffic offload (SIPTO) and there is work underway in the standards bodies to standardize this protocol. The intent of the SIPTO protocol is to allow for some internet communication to be offloaded from the service provider's core network and instead provide a direct connection to the Internet that does not utilize the HNB-GW and/or HeNB-GW. An embodiment of the present invention where the internet data connection is offloaded from the macro-network and comes directly from a broadband internet connection, for example, is also within the scope and spirit of this invention.
It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the type of backhaul shown in
The ability to achieve a high number of simultaneous channels in radio heads requires optimization of the amount of transmitted information.
For proper operation the radio heads and interface gateway must be properly synchronized in both time (phase) and frequency. Timing information is conveyed using timing over packet technology (e.g., timestamps), which can be based on the IEEE 1588 protocol, also known as Precision Timing Protocol, or based on NTP (Network Timing Protocol). Since the communication between the radio heads and the interface gateway is internal to the system, the message set for the chosen protocol can be optimized for limiting bandwidth usage. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the timestamps are controlled by the interface gateway (or the computing platform included therein) (referred to herein as a centralized device) and result in less than a 5ns resolution across the entire building system. Each radio head preferably maintains a precision time stamper synchronized to the computing platform.
The transmit path is the corollary of the receive path. A DAC 334 will produce the required modulated waveform, over the required instantaneous bandwidth, for a given cellular standard, as described above for the receive path. Each DAC will drive an up-converter 336 which will then drive a tuned RF Power Amplifier 338 (“PA”). The PA will be tuned for a particular service. The PA will not be required to be non-standard, or support multi-band, multi-mode transmit, unless components are available, and it is the technically correct solution. The typical solution will have the PA drive a service bandwidth filter 340 and the transmit antenna 342. All 3G/4G/Wi-Fi protocols are supported on the receive and transmit paths. All service providers/carriers will resultantly be supported by the same equipment.
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in
The concept of the appropriate signal bandwidths resulting from the summation by the summation amplifier 421 is shown in
An additional transmit beam-forming architecture is shown in
The above described radio head transceiver architectures are meant to support all possible 3G/4G cell services internationally as well as Wi-Fi, and any other possible non-cellular services needed in support of possible operational modes for the transceiver unit and radio head. The transceiver can be configured as necessary to support the number of services required. The number of separate receiver channels required is based on the services that must be supported. This includes, but is not limited to, UMTS/WCDMA, EDGE, and CDMA-2000 for 3G services in the United States and TD-SCDMA in the Far East for 3G cell service. FDD and TDD cell services are supported. Full duplex and half-duplex services are supported. In the United States, 4G services include LTE FDD and LTE MIMO, and in the Far East there is also TD LTE. The architecture will scale, in terms of instantaneous achievable bandwidth, with the components available. 802.11a, b, g, n, etc. Wi-Fi services will also be supported by this architecture. In the various shown embodiments of the receiver path, each channel up to N channels, can be dedicated to a separate service, or can be shared for multiple services. The channels can all be dedicated to cellular services, or can be dedicated to cellular plus other services. The antennas and pre-select filters are tuned for particular services.
When the network detects users within the receiver range of the radio head, it then uses frequency and modulation characteristics of a device signal to determine a device's communication protocol. For example, in communications standards where users are allocated a small amount of bandwidth, the transmission frequency is indicative of both the service provider and communications protocol of the signal because each provider has licensed their own spectrum. However, in protocols like Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) where a broader spectrum is shared, a different technique such as reading carrier information from the unencrypted header of communicated data containing service provider identification can be used. This service provider information can also be obtained by monitoring radio waves for transmissions from external macro-network base stations. Alternatively, the existing networks in the area can be programmed into the interface gateway software at the time of installation or at a later time through a software change which can be performed locally or remotely. This information is used to configure an appropriate transmit and receive channel in the SDR software for communication with the device. Because of this adaptability, the radio head acts as a ubiquitous transceiver for different service providers and communications protocols that is transparent to the user. This overcomes a significant disadvantage present in femtocells, picocells, and DAS systems that are provider specific. For example, comparable functionality using existing femtocell technology would require at least one femtocell for each service provider to provide similar telephony capability to a radio head in accordance with the present invention. This would require nearly an order of magnitude greater number of pieces of hardware to provide the same service. Furthermore, the network of femtocells would still potentially lack some of the additional capabilities of the present radio access network described below.
Using an ingress and egress detection method the detection process begins as soon as a user enters a building. When the signal from the macro-network begins to attenuate, mobile devices increase their transmission power in order to maintain connection to the network. When this occurs, a sally port receiver detects the connection protocol and service provider of the device. The sally port receiver can be implemented using a slightly modified radio head, for example a radio head with the transmit pathway disabled. Detection of the arrival of a new mobile device into the jurisdiction of the intra-building radio network can also be achieved using directional capabilities of the radio head antenna system. Given an antenna pattern that favors the inside of the building relative to the outside, the signal strength of the mobile transmitter as received by the Radio Head will be greater when the mobile device is inside compared to immediately outside the building. This detection capability does not rely on the mobile device adjusting its transmit signal power.
This information is used to identify entering users as they are entering the building. This information is shared with the rest of the radio network, possibly in a table within the interface gateway. The interface gateway can determine whether the radio access network has available channels capable of handling the new user. The network can either reallocate idle resources to the user's protocol or place the user in a queue if none are available. If a channel is available, the appropriate radio heads establish a communication block within the SDR (See
The radio access network will also receive signals that originate outside of the building from the service provider macro-networks. By monitoring these signals, the radio network will be able to determine which service providers are active, the frequency bands in use, and the associated communications standards. Also, It is assumed that the timing references associated with a service provider's network have favorable characteristics. These timing references can be compared with the timing references of the radio heads and used to monitor, and calibrate, the indoor radio access network's timing performance.
In addition to attenuation of mobile radio signals, the building walls and roof often severely attenuate GPS signals and consequently mobile device location methods based on GPS do not function satisfactorily within a building. However, knowing the location of each user within a building is necessary for some mobile device applications. For example, this information can be used in coordination with the active RF power function of the radio heads to make sure that power received by the user is sufficient. Additionally, the location of a mobile device user could be used to send targeted advertisements to that user based on their proximity to a store in a shopping mall.
These location methods are possible because of the aggregation of radio head data by the interface. A system of independent femtocells would be poorly suited to provide similar functionality because femtocells are designed to communicate directly with the service provider network. The scale of a large mobile network would make implementing this type of functionality remotely unwieldy and expensive because the network would need to know the physical location of each femtocell. Having radio head data that includes location information and including an interface gateway to manage this data reduces the task of device location to an achievable scale.
It should be noted that the location information provided does not only give latitude and longitude coordinates for each mobile device. The radio heads have floor information, allowing a user to be even more precisely located by including information about their altitude. This information is particularly useful when an emergency “911” phone call is made and the caller is unable to convey their exact location. The exact location information could be conveyed directly to emergency responders by remotely accessing the interface gateway data at a building security computer terminal. Also, it would not be difficult for a mobile service to gather the additional altitude or floor information in addition to other location information which would be relayed to emergency responders directly.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a distributed system is used to convey location information to at least one emergency responder. Such a system is shown in
In particular, the wireless device 1200, as shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention, code is included in a SIM card portion of the memory device 1204 and is configured to receive a wake-up command from the centralized device and, in response thereto, either (a) activate (or open) an application previously stored on the wireless device or (b) download an application to the wireless device and activate (or open) the application. The application, once activated (or opened), is configured to monitor the wireless device, or a portion thereof, to detect a communication (e.g., phone call, text, etc.) with an emergency responder. If the application detects a communication with an emergency responder, then the application is configured to notify the centralized device of the same. The application (or alternatively the code) is further configured to receive periodic “pings,” or other wireless signals, from the centralized device, informing the application (or code) that the wireless device is still within the particular service area (e.g., still within the building), and that the application should continue its monitoring functionality. If the application (or code) does not receive a “ping” within a predetermined period of time, or if the application (or code) is notified by the centralized device that the wireless device is leaving the particular service area (e.g., leaving the building), then the application (or code) is configured to stop (or instruct the application to stop) its monitoring functionality (e.g., close the application). Further, if a “ping” is not received during the predetermined period of time, or the wireless device is notified that it is leaving the particular service area, the code may further be configured to delete the application from the wireless device, or the memory portion thereof.
It should be appreciated that the foregoing embodiment is not limited to the detection of an emergency communication, and may include the detection of any function performed by the wireless device, a location of the wireless device, or any input to the wireless device. For example, the application may be configured to detect a user inputting a request to dial 911, a phone application dialing 911, or the transmission of a 911 communication. By way of another example, the application may be configured to detect a different input and/or function of the wireless device (e.g., opening a web browser, using a web browser to request certain information, etc.), or a particular location of the wireless device (e.g., a GPS location, entering a particular service area, etc.).
It should also be appreciated that the foregoing embodiment is not limited to transmitting a mere notification that a detection has been made, but may include additional information about the wireless device, the user of the wireless device, or a function that is being performed. For example, the notification may include identifying information on the wireless device (e.g., make, model, etc.) and/or user (e.g., gender, age, frequently visited websites, recently visited websites, recent purchases, etc.), the location of the wireless device, applications that are open (or are on the wireless device), or particular user inputs or functionalities that are being performed by the wireless device. For example, if the user has opened a web browser and is searching for a nearby restaurant, such information may be communicated to the centralized device, thereby allowing the centralized device to respond accordingly, as discussed further below.
The application may also be configured to instruct (or request) the centralized device to carry out a particular function (e.g., provide certain information to a certain third party, etc.). It should further be appreciated that the application may exist as an autonomous application, functioning without user intervention and/or notification, or as an application visible to the user on the display. With respect to the prior, the application can be downloaded, deleted, opened and/or closed by code stored on the wireless device. With respect to the latter, the user can interact with the application (or related code), and choose to download, delete, open and/or close the application, and/or modify settings associated with the application (or related code) (e.g., set the types of inputs and/or functionalities that the application can detect, set the types of information that can be provided to the centralized device (e.g., turning off or limit the transmission of personal information, etc.), set the types of instructions (or requests) that are provided to the centralized device, set the period of time associated with the foregoing “ping,” etc.).
Referring back to
In one embodiment of the present invention, the centralized device is configured to receive (e.g., via at least one radio head) a notification from the application once a detection has been made. The notification is then acted upon by the centralized device, or a controller portion thereof (not shown). For example, if the notification is based on a detection of an emergency “911” phone call, then the centralized device may be configured to provide location information of the wireless device to at least one emergency responder (e.g., a 911 dispatch center, security for the building, local police/fire, etc.). The location information of the wireless device, which may include X, Y and/or Z-axis (e.g., floor) information, can be provided to the centralized device as previously discussed. The location information can then be updated, if necessary, to inform the emergency responder that the wireless device has moved, or is on the move.
It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to a particular time and/or a particular manner of providing location information to the emergency responder. For example, the location information may be provided to the emergency responder at the same time, before or after the 911 communication is provided to the wireless service provider (e.g., via the MPLS router). By way of another example, the location information may be provided to the emergency responder via a communication over the Internet or a wireless service provider (e.g., a phone call, a text, etc.), and may include information that can be used by the emergency responder to link the location information to the user-initiated 911 communication (e.g., user's name, wireless device ID, communication ID, etc.). Alternatively, the location information can be inserted into the user-initiated 911 communication (e.g., by replacing or modifying the location information that is included in the user-initiated 911 communication).
It should be appreciated that while the notification signal may merely indicate that the user has made a 911 phone call, the notification signal may also include additional information, or may notify the centralized device of a particular user input or wireless device functionality. For example, the emergency response notification may also include information on the user, the wireless device, or the user-initiated 911 communication, which can be used by the centralized device (or the emergency responder) to link the location information to the user-initiated 911 communication (e.g., user name, device ID, communication ID, etc.). By way of another example, if the notification signal identifies a user input, an application that has been opened, or information that is being acquired by the user, the centralized device may be configured to use that information to provide certain data to the wireless device, or to communicate that information to the wireless service provider so that they, or a third party on their behalf, can provide certain data to the wireless device.
For example, if the user is requesting data on nearby restaurants, or a web browser is being used to gather data on nearby restaurants, related data can be provided to the centralized device (via the application), which can then be used (e.g., by the centralized device, the wireless service provider, a third party, etc.) to provide data (e.g., ratings, reviews, availability, location, hours, pricing, coupons, etc.) on at least one nearby restaurant, or at least one restaurant provided to the user in the search results for nearby restaurants. By way of another example, if the user is accessing a website of a company located within the building, and the wireless device is on a floor associated with the company, related data can be provided to the centralized device (via the application), which can then be used (e.g., by the centralized device, the wireless service provider, a third party, etc.) to direct the wireless device to the company's Intranet, or provide the wireless device with authorization (e.g., password, login data, etc.) to access the company's Intranet, or wireless Internet.
It should be appreciated that the foregoing examples are just that, examples, and are should not be construed as limitations of the present invention. Thus, use of an application to notify the centralized device of any situation, thereby allowing any related function to be carried out, is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention may be particularly useful in providing location information to at least one emergency responder, it can also be used to provide the wireless device, either directly or indirectly via a wireless service provide or a related third party, with data regarding, for example, security, advertising, or a particular service.
One method of monitoring a wireless device for the transmission of an emergency communication is shown in
One method of providing location information to an emergency responder is shown in
With reference back to
While providing network access within the building is important to service providers, it is desirable to do so without interfering with the macro-networks outside of the building. By allowing the radio heads to determine the power level of their transmission at different locations within the building, the radio head can determine whether power levels are too high and will potentially result in interference with outside networks. Since the radio heads are capable of transmitting over multiple carrier frequencies, this operation can be performed independently for each communication protocol using the same type of chirp signal. The channel independence prevents adjustment due to high RF power levels in one channel from causing another channel's power level to go too low. However, for simplicity, power levels can instead be controlled by changing all channel power levels through a single proportional control as described below.
With the measured power of each radio head in conjunction with knowing the location of each radio head, the interface gateway can determine appropriate power levels without necessarily using additional sensor components. Additional measures to prevent interference with the macro-network include the use of beam forming with multiple antenna arrays for the radio heads. The radio head antenna pattern can be formed to have its main lobe directed towards the inside of the building, away from the external macro-network area.
As an alternative to using discrete sensors 1104, the radio heads 102 themselves can serve the function of determining whether their transmit power interferes with the macro-network. In this embodiment, the power management signals would need to be transmitted on a different frequency from other radio access communication in order to avoid mutual interference with transmit signals of the radio heads. Thus, an out-of-band carrier frequency, such as one belonging to the ISM band, can be used. A radio head transmits a test signal with a unique phase-shift analogous to a “chirp” in radar communication or has another identifying feature. The power level of the ISM band signal can be configured so that it would not interfere with other devices operating in the band. The radio head can be designed such that the power levels of the various licensed spectrum transmissions are proportional to the out-of-band signal power level by an appropriate ratio. This ratio can differ for each communication standard depending on the standard's requirements. By adjusting the out of band signal when a high power level indicates that power is escaping the building, the licensed spectrum transmission will also be adjusted to an appropriate level.
The unique chirp signal for each radio head can also be used to measure a time of flight of a reflected signal to determine the direction and distance of the closest wall in a structure. Since power sent through walls is attenuated, a radio head with directional capability can be configured so that the majority of its power radiates away from the wall and provides more service area. Assigning a unique identifier to a particular radio head can be managed by the interface gateway to ensure that the identifiers are in fact unique. This type of power management scheme would not be realistic in a system of femtocells because of a lack of integration and management of the individual cells. Performing a similar task for all femtocells on a macro-network such that nearby femtocells do not mutually interfere with this or a similar type of scheme requires more information about femtocell location than mobile networks currently have or could realistically manage. The manageable scale and functionality integration of a radio access network in accordance with the present invention make this type of RF power management an achievable task.
In one embodiment, the radio head 102 further includes a plurality of antennas (e.g., 1506a-d), which may be antennas that are only used by the ISM transceivers 1504, or antennas that are shared with the cellular transceivers 1502 (e.g., as shown in
Operation of the radio head depicted in
At step 1604, the interface gateway (or an application operating thereon) instructs the radio head 102 to measure horizontal propagation and attenuation, and to do so at an initial power level (e.g., 50% power). In order to minimize interference during the measurement process, the interface gateway may use an algorithm (e.g., a pseudo-random time variance algorithm) to calculate a time variance used in transmitting test signals (or chirps). For example, a first radio head may wait a first time variance (e.g., 5 ns) before transmitting its first test signal (or a first time variance between test signals), a second radio head may wait a second time variance (e.g., 13 ns) before transmitting its first test signal (or a second time variance between test signals), etc. By calculating a plurality of time variances, and transmitting individual ones to individual radio heads, interference during the testing (or calibration) phase can be minimized or at least reduced.
After the instruction to measure horizontal propagation and attenuation at an initial power level is sent to the radio head at step 1604, measurement data is sent back to the interface gateway at step 1606. The interface gateway (or an application operating thereon) then determines whether additional data from the radio head is needed. If the answer is YES, then the interface gateway instructs the radio head to measure horizontal propagation and attenuation at a different power level (e.g., a second power level of 75% power, a third power level of 25% power, etc.), and additional data is received at step 1606. If the answer is NO, then the interface gateway (or an application operating thereon) instructs the radio head to measure vertical propagation and attenuation at an initial power level (e.g., 50% power) at step 1610. Measured data is then received at step 1612, and a determination is made as to whether additional data is needed. If the answer is YES, then the interface gateway instructs the radio head to measure vertical propagation and attenuation at a different power level (e.g., a second power level of 75% power, a third power level of 25% power, etc.). If the answer is NO, then the interface gateway (or an application operating thereon) uses the received data to catalog (or map) the radio heads and to determine an operating RF power for each radio head (e.g., an RF power that minimizes leakage outside the building, an RF power that is strong enough to communicate with nearby wireless devices but not so strong as to interfere with other nearby radio heads (e.g., maintain a low signal to interference noise ratio (SINR)), etc.). The operating RF power is then transmitted to the radio head at step 1618, ending the process at step 1620. It should be appreciated that the determined operating RF power may be a power level that, in the test signals, maintains a low SINR, or a percentage thereof (e.g., 10% of the test power level, 200% of the test power level, etc.).
As discussed in greater detail below, the data received from each radio head at steps 1606 and 1612) may include an ID number (e.g., identifying the radio head), z-axis location information (e.g., altitude, floor, etc.), data associated with each test signal (or chirp) sent from the radio head, data associated with reflections of each test signal (or chirp) sent from the radio head, and/or data associated with test signals (or chirps) sent from other radio heads. By knowing what radio head sent the test signal, what radio head received the test signal (or a reflection thereof), the power difference between the test signal as transmitted and the test signal (or reflection thereof) as received (e.g., the power level of the test signal as transmitted, the power level of the test signal as received, the power differential between the two, etc.), the time different between the test signal as transmitted and the test signal (or a reflection thereof) as received (e.g., the time the test signal was transmitted, the time the test signal was received, the time differential between the two, etc.), the antenna (or orientation of the antenna) that transmitted the test signal, the antenna (or orientation of the antenna) that received the test signal (or a reflection thereof), and/or the angle of arrival of the test signal (or reflection thereof), the interface gateway can calculate (within +/−5 ft) the location of each radio head within the building (e.g., x-axis location information, y-axis location information, and/or z-axis location information), and can calculate an operating (e.g., substantially optimum) RF power for each radio head within the building. The interface gateway can also use the measured data (particularly the vertical measured data) to effectuate hand-off as a wireless device moves within the building (e.g., moves floor-to-floor, etc.). And once the location of each radio head is known, RF signals received from the wireless device can be used to determine the location of the wireless device, in the manners discussed above. See, e.g.,
Operation of a radio head in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will now be discussed. As shown in
While
At step 1712, the radio head 102 receives at least one instruction from the interface gateway 106 to measure vertical propagation and attenuation. As discussed above, the instruction may include a power level and/or a time variance. At step 1714, the radio head 102 transmits a test signal (e.g.,
While
Having thus described several embodiments of a multi-standard indoor mobile radio access network, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the system and method have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is solely defined by the following claims.
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/154,970, which was filed on May 14, 2016, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 14/562,657, which was filed on Dec. 5, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 13/866,827, which was filed on Apr. 19, 2013, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/636,286, filed Apr. 20, 2012, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61636286 | Apr 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16280006 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Child | 16595413 | US | |
| Parent | 15154970 | May 2016 | US |
| Child | 16280006 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14562657 | Dec 2014 | US |
| Child | 15154970 | US | |
| Parent | 13866827 | Apr 2013 | US |
| Child | 14562657 | US |
