Providing location estimation within a metropolitan area based on a mobile phone network

Although location estimation algorithms based on signal attenuation may not be the most promising approach for providing location services, signal strength is the only common attribute available among various kind of mobile network. Together with the fact that the cell layout in metropolitan areas like Hong Kong is different from other smaller cities, this paper is an investigation and a revisit in search of a set of location estimation algorithms based on signal attenuation. With the technical support from a local mobile operator, we have constructed and conducted several real world experiments for our investigation and results are promising.