Analysis of positioning capabilities of 3GPP LTE

The performance of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can be improved in certain environments (e.g. indoor or urban scenarios) by using additional complementary systems, such as the use of wireless communications signals. Indeed, multicarrier wireless systems provide many advantages for the integration of both communications and positioning capabilities, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) that includes specific signals for positioning, i.e. the positioning reference signal (PRS). The assessment of the LTE positioning signals is not straightforward in realistic scenarios. Thus, a methodology is proposed for the theoretical analysis of the typical LTE position errors, by considering the joint impact of interferences and multipath. Preliminary results in an LTE coordinated network are shown using pedestrian and urban channel models.