Uncovering an object's path using cell stations of a cellular network

Gregor Pogačnik (2009) Uncovering an object's path using cell stations of a cellular network. EngD thesis.

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Abstract

In the thesis possibilities of locating users in mobile phone networks are explored. The main focus is on how the information about the serving mobile network cell could be used as an alternative to GPS satellite system positioning. The benefits and problems of both methods are reviewed and their practical usage is tested. Instead of just evaluating the ways of determining the current position, it is more thouroughly investigated how a log of mobile station cell switches gathered using software on the mobile phone can be used for the reconstruction of the taken path. A practical implementation of the system, based on a client-server model is given. The solution also consists of a method to compare the results to a path obtained with a regular GPS receiver. The prologue explains what location based services are, why the emerged and what benefits they can offer. Furthermore the differences between location determination and positioning are given. In the next chapter a general overview of the mobile phone network and various methods for locating devices in such networks is given. An explanation of satellite navigation and the GPS system follows. The GPS system plays two different roles. On one hand it enables measurements to be carried out to determine where cells are located, on the other hand it is a locating method on its own. After the theoretical background the realization is explained. It consists of two distinct steps. First the location of the cells had to be determined. In the second step that knowledge was used to analyze a mobile cell log obtained using software on the mobile phone and deduce the location in terms of a geographical latitude and longitude. Later a comparison of both methods is shown. Before the conclusion other usage scenarios of the Cell-ID method are supposed. At the same time ideas what should be done in the future are presented. Concluding arguments are in the epilogue.

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