On the accuracy of cellular mobile station location estimation

Abstract

This paper analyzes the accuracy of the multilateration techniques of possible application in mobile communications networks. A general mathematical framework including all the multilateration techniques that process absolute and/or relative distance measurements between the mobile station and multiple base transceiver stations is introduced. Based on this scheme, a general measure of positioning accuracy is first derived and then analyzed in the special cases defined by three techniques of possible implementation in GSM-based systems. A geometrical interpretation of the formulas that define the location accuracy and a comparison between the techniques from the geometric conditioning point of view are also given.