Abstract: Techniques to support positioning of roaming mobile stations are described. A roaming mobile station communicates with a visited network and has a data connection to a home network. The mobile station sends a request for positioning assistance to a home position determining entity (H-PDE) in the home network. The H-PDE determines that base station almanac (BSA) data applicable for the mobile station is not locally available and sends a request for location information for the mobile station to a designated network entity. This entity may be a BSA server storing BSA data for different networks or a visited PDE (V-PDE) in the visited network. The H-PDE receives location information (e.g., BSA data, assistance data, and/or a position estimate for the mobile station) from the designated network entity and provides positioning assistance to the mobile station based on the received location information.

Abstract: In a wireless telecommunication network, hybrid (GPS and AFLT) mobile stations provide redundant position information, which is used for time base calibration and/or correction of position measurements. Every mobile station (i.e., handset or cellular phone) can be used as a test instrument, and data from regular wireless phone calls can be supplemented by data from drive-around field test units. The time base and/or position offsets are stored in a base station almanac data base along with other information used for obtaining the most reliable position fixes under a variety of conditions. An automatic system is provided for creating, updating, and maintaining the base station almanac data base. The automatic system not only characterizes the performance of the wireless network but also characterizes the performance of the position determination system. The automatic system provides performance feedback to system operators and customers.

Abstract: A method of obtaining data useful for one or more network applications is described. The method is performed responsive to a triggering event, such as a dropped call, a position fix, or even expiration of a timer. A position estimate for a subscriber station is obtained responsive to the event. A record is then formed associating the position estimate for the subscriber station with an identifier of the triggering event and/or data measured or obtained responsive to the event, such as the strength of one or more pilots visible to the subscriber station. The record is either stored locally or transmitted to a remote location. In one implementation, the record is transmitted to a remote location, and stored in a database holding like records relating to other subscriber stations.