Patent ID: 6785550
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method of estimating mobile station location in a wireless communication system in which a mobile station communicates with a primary base station associated with a primary location processor, the method comprising the steps of:transmitting from the primary base station a message signal directing the mobile station to transmit a location signal, wherein the message signal comprises a channel assignment message generated in the primary base station in response to receipt of an access request signal from the mobile station; the primary base station operating so as to increase a transmit power level of the location signal as necessary to facilitate detection of the location signal in the primary base station by intentionally delaying transmission of a first acknowledgment signal to the mobile station in response to receipt of the access request signal from the mobile station, such that the mobile station thereby increases a transmit power level of the location signal; detecting the location signal in the primary base station to generate a first path delay measurement; the primary base station intentionally delaying transmission of a second acknowledgment signal to the mobile station in response to receipt of the location signal, such that the mobile station continues to transmit the location signal for a period of time sufficient to permit a plurality of secondary base stations to detect the location signal; receiving additional path delay measurements generated based on detection of the location signal in the plurality of secondary base stations; and utilizing the first and additional delay measurements to estimate the location of the mobile station.