Pilot correlation positioning method for urban UMTS networks

The aim of this paper is to present a novel mobile positioning method for urban deployment of UMTS network. Proposed technique is entirely network-based, thus not involving any modifications in the terminals. The method presented in this paper utilizes information accessible in the SRNC describing the visible pilot RSCP measurements of a particular UE. Least square method is used for selecting the most similar situation from the set of pre-measured pilots strength samples stored in location server in the network. The performance of the method has been examined by intensive measurement campaigns carried out in Elisa UMTS network in Tampere, Finland. Field trials have provided very promising results, since on the average, the position of the user can be estimated with the accuracy at the level of 190 m for 90% of measurements and 90 m with 67% CERP.