Double Differential TOA Positioning for GSM

Abstract: For most time-based positioning techniques, synchronization between the objectsin the system is of great importance. GPS (global positioning system) signalshave been found very useful in this area. However, there are some shortcomingsof these satellite signals, making the system vulnerable. The aim of this masterthesis is to investigate an alternative method for synchronization, independent ofGPS signals, which could be used as a complement. The proposed method takesadvantage of the broadcast signals from telecommunication towers, and use themfor calculation of the synchronization error between two receivers. By looking atthe time difference between arrival times at the receivers, and compare it to thetrue time difference, the synchronization error can be found. A precondition isthat the locations of the receivers as well as the tele tower are known beforehand,so that the true time difference can be calculated using geometry.The arrival times are determined through correlation between the received signalsand known training bits, which are a part of the transmission sequence. Forverification, experiments were made on localization of a mobile phone in theGSM (global system of mobile communications) network.This researchwas a collaboration with FOI, the Swedish Defense Research Agency,where most of the work was done.