X-centric positioning: A combination of device-centric and multi-rat network-centric positioning approaches in NGN

Positioning, being one of the main factors shaping services that deliver information to users based on their location, has experienced huge advancements over the past years. Today, the combination of device-centric positioning approaches, such as GPS, and device-assisted approaches, such as Cell-Id and WiFi positioning technologies, has proved to be very popular among mobile platforms. Nevertheless, network-centric positioning approaches have remarkably evolved, and the recently introduced 4G networks offer promising new functionalities supporting the next generation of Location-based Services (LBS). This paper introduces a novel positioning model, X-centric Positioning, which is managed by mobile network operators and is based on a Positioning Enabler platform that dynamically combines both aforementioned positioning approaches. The underlying paradigm of X-centric Positioning facilitates a dynamic utilization of an optimal set of positioning systems, which satisfy the current requirements of operated LBS. X-centric Positioning represents the next positioning generation, enabling realization of a wide range of services such as background tracking, geofencing and location-based messaging. Hence, it overcomes the barriers that have previously restricted the efficient realization of such services. The X-centric Positioning role model is discussed, and the Positioning Enabler architecture is presented.