Measurement tool for multi-network fingerprint-based positioning

Mobile service providers keep on seeking distinguishable value-added services to attract customers and to increase profits. Location based services have been recognised to be one of the most powerful ways of delivering personalised services to subscribers. This commercial motive, together with wireless emergency services, has aroused great scientific interest in developing novel mobile positioning methods. The extended Database Correlation Method (DCM) for mobile positioning is based on matching the handset's current signal information fingerprint to the reference fingerprints. Development and usage of this method requires collecting of large amounts of signal fingerprint data. This strongly favours development of efficient tool for multi-network fingerprint measurement. In this paper, we introduce our portable measurement and analysis software. It is suitable both for collecting signal fingerprint data simultaneously from several networks and for verifying the results of novel mobile positioning methods out on the field. We also present the results of the field trial, which was conducted both to verify the applicability of the measurement software and to evaluate the positioning accuracy of the extended Data Correlation Method in GSM&WLAN multi-system environment. The results of the trial prove the implemented measurement tool well applicable to the intended purpose. We also state that by utilising WLAN fingerprints in addition to GSM ones, the mobile positioning accuracy can be notably increased.