Abstract: A method for estimating a time of arrival of a signal transmitted over a wireless channel, includes receiving the signal by a receiving device; correlating the received signal with a filtered code sequence to create a correlation output, identifying in the correlation output, an observation window associated with a main lobe in the correlation output; and processing the observation window to determine a time of arrival of a first path component in the received signal. The filtered code sequence is formed by incorporating a time of arrival matched filter (TOA-MF) inside predetermined shaped code sequence. The TOA-MF is matched to the predetermined shaped code sequence and is based upon a power delay profile of the wireless channel. The predetermined shaped code sequence is a convolution of a predetermined shaping sequence and a predetermined code sequence.

Abstract: A technique is provided for estimating time of arrival of a signal transmitted as a pulse and received as a sum of pulses. The received signal is filtered with a novel filter that lowers the early side lobes of the received signal to noise level. A first energy rise point is identified at a point of the main lobe of the filtered received signal, at which the energy is higher than the noise by a predetermined level. Starting from the identification of the first energy rise points, the time of arrival is estimated via curve matching, in which the shape of the filtered received signal is matched to the shape of a reference curve composed by a sum of one or more reference curves that are shifted both in time and in energy. The reference curves are found by applying to the transmitted signal the same filter applied to the received signal.

Abstract: A time of arrival of a signal received by a receiving device over a wireless channel is estimated by identifying by the receiving device a location in the time domain of a first path component in a waveform of the received signal, which includes applying a filter to the waveform; identifying in the waveform an observation window associated with an energy rise in the waveform; correlating the identified observation window in the waveform with correlator sequences, and determining a time of arrival offset of the first path component from results of correlating the observation window with the correlator sequences. The properties of the correlator sequences depend on properties of the filter such that the correlator sequences account for the filtering of the waveform during the correlating, the correlator sequences reduce the effect of colored noise after hypothetical first path components; and the correlator sequences correspond to different time shifts of a hypothetical first path component.

Abstract: A technique is provided for estimating time of arrival of a signal transmitted as a pulse and received as a sum of pulses. The received signal is filtered with a novel filter that lowers the early side lobes of the received signal to noise level. A first energy rise point is identified at a point of the main lobe of the filtered received signal, at which the energy is higher than the noise by a predetermined level. Starting from the identification of the first energy rise points, the time of arrival is estimated via curve matching, in which the shape of the filtered received signal is matched to the shape of a reference curve composed by a sum of one or more reference curves that are shifted both in time and in energy. The reference curves are found by applying to the transmitted signal the same filter applied to the received signal.

Abstract: Positioning determination of a communication device in a wireless communication network is supported by a positioning device receiving [230] tight synchronization signals from a master positioning cell; determining [232] therefrom a plurality of time differences between their actual and theoretical times of arrival; synchronizing [234] a positioning cell clock based on the received tight synchronization signals adjusted by the time differences; and emitting [236] to the communication device a positioning signal at a time determined by the synchronization. The positioning signal includes an identifier of the positioning cell, and it is transmitted so as not to interfere with positioning pilot signals transmitted by the wireless communication network. The positioning device may alternatively receive synchronization signals from another positioning cell instead of a master positioning cell.

Abstract: Positioning determination of a communication device in a wireless communication network is supported by a positioning device receiving [230] tight synchronization signals from a master positioning cell; determining [232] therefrom a plurality of time differences between their actual and theoretical times of arrival; synchronizing [234] a positioning cell clock based on the received tight synchronization signals adjusted by the time differences; and emitting [236] to the communication device a positioning signal at a time determined by the synchronization. The positioning signal includes an identifier of the positioning cell, and it is transmitted so as not to interfere with positioning pilot signals transmitted by the wireless communication network. The positioning device may alternatively receive synchronization signals from another positioning cell instead of a master positioning cell.

Abstract: A technique is provided for estimating time of arrival of a signal transmitted as a pulse and received as a sum of pulses. The received signal is filtered with a novel filter that lowers the early side lobes of the received signal to noise level. A first energy rise point is identified at a point of the main lobe of the filtered received signal, at which the energy is higher than the noise by a predetermined level. Starting from the identification of the first energy rise points, the time of arrival is estimated via curve matching, in which the shape of the filtered received signal is matched to the shape of composed by a sum of one or more reference curves that are shifted both in time and in energy. The reference curves are found by applying to the transmitted signal the same filter applied to the received signal.

Abstract: Positioning determination of a communication device in a wireless communication network is supported by a positioning device receiving [230] tight synchronization signals from a master positioning cell; determining [232] therefrom a plurality of time differences between their actual and theoretical times of arrival; synchronizing [234] a positioning cell clock based on the received tight synchronization signals adjusted by the time differences; and emitting [236] to the communication device a positioning signal at a time determined by the synchronization. The positioning signal includes an identifier of the positioning cell, and it is transmitted so as not to interfere with positioning pilot signals transmitted by the wireless communication network. The positioning device may alternatively receive synchronization signals from another positioning cell instead of a master positioning cell.

Abstract: A system for accurate positioning of a communication devices includes a plurality of positioning cells configured for synchronizing to the cellular network and to each other, and for emitting positioning signals during time intervals proximal to time points at which the cellular network emits synchronization signals. In the manner, the positioning signals reach the communication device when the communication device's antenna is on for listening to a synchronization signal of the cellular network. Processing the times of arrival of the positioning signals by a server in communication with the communication device enables accurate positioning of the communication device.