An Accuracy and Real-Time Commercial Localization System in LTE Networks

In this paper, an ARTLoc (accuracy and real-time commercial localization) system is proposed, which is applicable for positioning the Minimization of Drive-Tests(MDT) data in the long-term-evolution(LTE) cellular communication network system. This system utilizes a collaborative filtering algorithm to ensure the robustness and accuracy of the fingerprint database when both base station position and GPS MDT data are abnormal in commercial communication service provider(CSP) MDT localization scene. Then, a fast matching KNN algorithm including coarse matching and fine matching is proposed to improve the location efficiency and reduce the location cost under the premise of ensuring high location accuracy. The results of experiments conducted in an in-service LTE network using more than 1000 LTE base station demonstrate that the proposed technique yields a location accuracy of 65.7 meters(@67%) with DT data and 62.1 meters(@67%) with massive GPS MDT data(over 10 million), which provides at least 184.2% and 145.2% enhancement in accuracy respectively compared to the traditional technology. In addition, our system provides a more than 7 times improvement in location efficiency compared to traditional technology. This proposed localization technique is applicable in network optimization and Operation and Maintenance(O&M) to assist CSP to reduce their operating expense(OPEX) by positioning those MDT data without GPS location.