Location Determination Using In-Band Signaling for Mobility Management in Future Networks

Abstract

This paper covers positioning techniques for future cellular networks using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communications signals. These methods are based on symbol-timing synchronization algorithms to find the starting point for the underlying in-band pilots in the preamble. Commonly used approaches as like the Schmidl-Cox algorithm and the Minn algorithm are discussed and investigated w.r.t.~their positioning capabilities. Furthermore, they are extended to improve the performance in multipath environments and to achieve a sufficient accuracy with weak signals from neighboring out-of-cell base stations. Additionally, system-side applications that can make use of the estimated location information are analyzed.