Interference-Aware Location Estimation in Cellular OFDM Communications Systems

In this paper, we consider location estimation algorithms using cellular orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications systems. In the classical approach the mobile station (MS) determines time difference of arrival (TDOA) information from the received signals of at least three base stations (BSs). With these TDOAs the location of the MS is estimated. However, only at the cell edge a good reception of several BSs is ensured. Especially for future systems targeting a frequency re-use of one, interference is a limiting factor. Hence, in the inner cell it is difficult to detect out-of-cell BSs with sufficient quality. Therefore, we propose an interference cancellation scheme to improve the performance in these critical situations for TDOA positioning. Simulation results for a 3GPP- LTE system show the ability of this approach to increase the accuracy and to extend the coverage of the overall location estimation.