A Fast Database Correlation Algorithm for Localization of Wireless Network Mobile Nodes using Coverage Prediction and Round Trip Delay

In this work a fast database correlation algorithm is proposed for the localization of mobile stations in wireless metropolitan area networks. The algorithm is entirely based on built-in functionalities of mobile nodes. The set of measured parameters used for localization is called radio-frequency fingerprint. To provide a position estimate, it is correlated with a database built from field measurements or propagation modeling. The latter alternative was selected, as it allows a less expensive and faster database update. A novel use of the round trip delay to reduce the correlation space and improve positioning accuracy is presented. Vehicular field tests and Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to evaluate the algorithm´s accuracy in GSM and WCDMA cellular networks, respectively.