Methods and apparatuses for providing peer-to-peer positioning in wireless networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for use in wireless networks to provide and/or otherwise support peer-to-peer positioning operations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising, at a mobile station:
 receiving a peer-to-peer trilateration (PPT) request message from another device over a wireless communication link;   determining a current position fix;   receiving at least one of a first PPT beacon signal from a target mobile station during a first assigned time slot, or a second PPT beacon signal from said target mobile station during one of said first assigned time slot or another assigned time slot;   determining at least one of a pseudorange or a path loss based, at least in part, on at least one of said received first PPT beacon signal, or said second PPT beacon signal, in response to said PPT request message; and   transmitting at least one report message to said another device, said at least one report message being indicative of said current position fix and at least one of said pseudorange or said path loss.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said PPT request message corresponds to a peer-to-peer positioning operation. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said another device comprises at least one of a base station, said target mobile station, or a network resource. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said PPT request message is indicative of at least one of said first assigned time slot, or said another assigned time slot. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising, at the mobile station:
 receiving an acknowledgment message from said another device ending a peer-to-peer positioning operation.   
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for use at a mobile station, the apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving a PPT request message from another device;   means for determining a current position fix;   means for receiving at least one of a first PPT beacon signal from a target mobile station during a first assigned time slot, or a second PPT beacon signal from said target mobile station during one of said first assigned time slot or another assigned time slot;   means for determining at least one of a pseudorange or a path loss based, at least in part, on at least one of said received first PPT beacon signal, or said second PPT beacon signal, in response to said PPT request message; and   means for transmitting at least one report message to said another device, said at least one report message being indicative of said current position fix and at least one of said pseudorange or said path loss.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said PPT request message corresponds to a peer-to-peer positioning operation. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said another device comprises at least one of a base station, said target mobile station, or a network resource. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said PPT request message is indicative of at least one of said first assigned time slot, or said another assigned time slot. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising:
 means for receiving an acknowledgment message from said another device ending a peer-to-peer positioning operation.   
     
     
         11 . A mobile station comprising:
 memory;   a communication interface; and   a processing unit coupled to said memory and said communication interface, said processing unit to:
 receive a peer-to-peer trilateration (PPT) request message from another device via said communication interface; 
 access a current position fix stored in said memory; 
 determine at least one of a pseudorange or a path loss based, at least in part, on at least one of a first PPT beacon signal received via said communication interface from a target mobile station during a first assigned time slot, or a second PPT beacon signal received via said communication interface from said target mobile station during one of said first assigned time slot, or another assigned time slot; and 
 initiate transmission of at least one report message to said another device via said communication interface, said at least one report message indicating said current position fix and one or more of said pseudorange or said path loss, and wherein said at least one report message is provided in response to said PPT request message. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said PPT request message corresponds to a peer-to-peer positioning operation. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said another device comprises at least one of a base station, said target mobile station, or a network resource. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said PPT request message is indicative of at least one of said first assigned time slot, or said another assigned time slot. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , said processing unit to further: end support of a peer-to-peer positioning operation in response to an acknowledgment message received via said communication interface from said another device. 
     
     
         16 . An article comprising:
 a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer implementable instructions stored thereon executable by a processing unit of a mobile station to:
 receive a peer-to-peer trilateration (PPT) request message from another device; 
 access a current position fix; 
 determine at least one of a pseudorange or a path loss based, at least in part, on at least one of a first PPT beacon signal received from a target mobile station during a first assigned time slot, or a second PPT beacon signal received from said target mobile station during one of said first assigned time slot, or another assigned time slot; and 
 initiate transmission of at least one report message to said another device, said at least one report message indicating said current position fix and one or more of said pseudorange or said path loss, and wherein said at least one report message is provided in response to said PPT request message. 
   
     
     
         17 . The article as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said PPT request message corresponds to a peer-to-peer positioning operation. 
     
     
         18 . The article as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said another device comprises at least one of a base station, said target mobile station, or a network resource. 
     
     
         19 . The article as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said PPT request message is indicative of at least one of said first assigned time slot, or said another assigned time slot. 
     
     
         20 . The article as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising computer implementable instructions which if implemented by the one or more processing units operatively enables the one or more processing units to:
 end support of a peer-to-peer positioning operation in response to an acknowledgment message received from said another device.