mobile positioning (redirected from Positioning (telecommunications))

mobile positioning

The ability to pinpoint the location of a mobile caller or vehicle in transit. These location-based services (LBS) are used for emergency purposes as well as enhanced business applications such as location-sensitive billing, traffic updates, fleet management and asset and people tracking. This technology is expected to become ubiquitous. Imagine the possibilities. You walk by a store and your cellphone beeps you to announce a sale going on inside. Well, let's hope not!

Within the Cell
There are various techniques starting with the most basic cell of origin (COO) method, which identifies the cell the call is made from and requires no infrastructure changes to implement. The best mobile positioning system is the use of GPS coordinates, which provides the greatest accuracy (see vehicle tracking).

Somewhere In Between
There are technologies that provide greater accuracy than cell of origin (COO), but not as good as GPS. Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD), Time of Arrival (TOA) and Angle of Arrival (AOA) all require reference beacons or antennas stationed within the network. See E-911.