Method for position estimation using generalized error distributions
US8138976B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S5/06
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for improving the results of radio location systems that incorporate weighted least squares optimization generalizes the weighted least squares method by using maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability metrics to incorporate characteristics of the specific positioning problem (e.g., UTDOA). Weighted least squares methods are typically used by TDOA and related location systems including TDOA/AOA and TDOA/GPS hybrid systems. The incorporated characteristics include empirical information about TDOA errors and the probability distribution of the mobile position relative to other network elements. A technique is provided for modeling the TDOA error distribution and the a priori mobile position. A method for computing a MAP decision metric is provided using the new probability distribution models. Testing with field data shows that this method yields significant improvement over existing weighted least squares methods.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.