7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

info@gl.com
+1 (301) 670-4784
Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA

Home
About
Careers
Downloads
中文

Enter Keywords...

Live Chat Offline 

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 1/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

IP/VoIP Protocol Simulators

Core Network Simulators

Products
IP/VoIP Protocol Simulators
MAPS
Location based services in mobile networks

Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks

LoCation Services (LCS) test suite to support simulation of location based services in GSM (Lb, Lg, Lh interfaces), UMTS (IuPC, Lg, Lh), and LTE
(SLs, SLg, SLh interfaces) networks.

Brochure

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 2/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

LoCation Services (LCS) Network Architecture

Overview
Positioning Methods
LCS in GSM Network
LCS in UMTS Network
LCS in LTE Network
Resources

Overview
Accurate location services find its use in many public operations such as emergency services, vehicle tracking, stolen assets tracking, advertising,
and social networking. For many years, Satellite based GPS (Global Positioning System) has been one of the most popular positioning method. The
assisted GPS (A-GPS) was then introduced within the mobile devices that use cellular services to track devices by its Cell ID (CID) - the serving cell
of a specific user.

However, these methods presented limitations in their own way to track devices that were mobile, and were unavailable on remote terrains. This
resulted in development of hybrid-position systems that uses a combination of different technologies (such as Cell Global Identity - CGI, Timing
Advance - TA, Time of Arrival - TOA, E-OTD - Enhanced Observed Time Difference, and Assisted GPS - AGPS) to accurately determine the co-
ordinates of a device that is mobile. The Location Services (LCS) architecture defined the process of mapping the received coordinates, expressed in
latitude and longitude in a well-defined universal format, to the geographical area and sending this information back to the requested services. The
LCS architecture distributes positioning functionality across different network elements and defines a network element as the positioning node. It
specifies all the necessary network elements and entities, their functionalities, interfaces, necessary for positioning in a cellular network. LCS
architecture follows a client/server model with the positioning node acting as the server providing information to external LCS clients.

In the GSM, UMTS LCS architecture, GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre) is the positioning node and centre point of the architecture that
holds the position information by communicating with other network elements within the network. All LCS clients communicates with this node to
request positioning information. Additionally, the GSM network includes separate nodes, Service Mobile Location Centre (SMLC) that resides within
BSC and Location Measurements Units (LMU) that resides within BS, for calculating and updating the location measurements. The control plane
location service architecture for EPS introduced in 3GPP is illustrated in the figure above.

As depicted in the diagram above, some of the important interfaces participating in the location request and response in GSM/UMTS network are
summarized below –

Lb interface – The BSC is accessible to the SMLC via the Lb interface

Ls interface - The MSC/VLR is accessible to the SMLC via the Ls interface
Lg interface - The MSC/VLR and SGSN is accessible to the GMLC via the Lg interface
Lh interface - The HLR is accessible to the GMLC via the Lh interface
Lp interface - Interface between Peer SMLCs
Lr interface - Interface between Peer GMLCs
Le interface - Interface between GMLC and LCS clients

As depicted in the diagram above, some of the important interfaces participating in the location request and response in UMTS/LTE network are
summarized below –

SLs interface - The MME is accessible to the SMLC via the SLs interface
SLg interface - The MME is accessible to the GMLC via the SLg interface
SLh interface - The HSS is accessible to the GMLC via the SLh interface

GL’s MAPS™ LCS test suite comprises of multiple products working in tandem simulating end-to-end location-based services supporting above
listed interfaces and positioning methods in GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks.

GSM Network
MAPS™ MAP IP emulator - Lg and Lh interfaces
MAPS™ Lb interface emulator - Lb interface between BSC and SMLC

UMTS Network
MAPS™ IuPCemulator - UMTS IuPC interface between RNC and SAS

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 3/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)
MAPS™ MAP IP emulator - Lg and Lh interfaces

LTE Network
MAPS™ Diameter emulator - SLg, SLh Interfaces between MME and GMLC
MAPS™ SLs interface emulator – SLs interface between E-SMLC and MME

Positioning Methods
Location or distances between two devices, can be estimated using different methodologies, some of them are listed which are based on
classification of the positioning methods, which basically divides them between network based and handset based methods.

Network Based
Cell Global Identity (CGI): This positioning method gives the current cell location of the target MS based on the cell global identification or the
Location Area Code (LAC) plus Cell Identity (CI).
Timing Advance (TA): This is one of the known methods to calculate the location of MS where the time is calculated for the signal transfers
from MS to the base station.
Time of Arrival (TOA): In this method, the position of MS is calculated based on the signal sent from MS to the three LMUs (Location
Measurement Unit), where the geographical co-ordinates in LMU is already known.
Angle of Arrivals (AOA): In this method, the position calculation relies on smart BS antenna arrays required to measure the angle of the
received signal.
Time Difference of Arrivals (TDOA): In this method, the position of a mobile station is estimated by measuring the time difference of arrivals
between the signal received at the serving BS and the same transmission received at other surrounding BSs.

Handset Based

E-OTD: Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) Positioning Method – MS-based E-OTD is the handset-based alternative to Uplink
TDOA (U-TDOA). The E-OTD method needs at least three BTS’s where the logic is to calculate position with Observed Time Difference (OTD),
Round Trip Delay (RTD), and Geometric Time Difference (GTD).
Assisted GPS: AGPS provides the most accurate position of an entity which is approximately in 10 meters range. The position calculation is
based on the radio signals sent by satellite to receiver (MS).

The positioning methods used by different network can be summarized as below –

Standard Positioning Methods in GERAN

Cell coverage based positioning method
Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) positioning method
A-GNSS based positioning method
Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA) positioning method
Standard Positioning Methods in UTRAN
Cell coverage based positioning method
OTDOA positioning method
A-GNSS based positioning methods
UTDOA positioning method
Standard Positioning Methods in E-UTRAN
Uplink and downlink cell coverage based positioning methods
OTDOA positioning method
A-GNSS based positioning methods
UTDOA positioning method

LCS in GSM Network

LCS Procedures in GSM
MAPS™ LCS Test Suite
for GSM

Simulation of Location Based Services in GSM Network

The LoCation Services (LCS) architecture follows a client/server model with the Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) acting as the server node
providing information to external LCS Clients. All LCS clients communicate with this node to request positioning information. Additionally, the GSM
network includes separate nodes, Service Mobile Location Centre (SMLC) that resides within BSC and Location Measurements Units (LMU) that
resides within BS, for calculating and updating the location measurements.
As depicted in the main diagram above, some of the important interfaces participating in the location request and response in the GSM network are:

Lb interface – The BSC is accessible to the SMLC via the Lb interface

Ls interface - The MSC/VLR is accessible to the SMLC via the Ls interface
Lg interface - The MSC/VLR and SGSN is accessible to the GMLC via the Lg interface
Lh interface - The HLR is accessible to the GMLC via the Lh interface
Le interface - Interface between GMLC and LCS clients

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 4/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

LoCation Services (LCS) Architecture

Location estimation uses different positioning methodologies that are classified into network based and handset based methods. The main difference
is that the network-based measurements do their calculations at the infrastructure, while the handset measurements do their calculations at the
handset.

The standard positioning methods used in GSM network are:

Cell Global Identification (CGI) (network based)

Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA) (network based)
A-GNSS (handset based)
Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) (handset based)

LCS Procedures in GSM

GL’s MAPS™ LCS test suite comprises of multiple products working in tandem to support simulation of end-to-end location based services in GSM,
UMTS, and LTE networks.

Specifically, to test location services in GSM network, GL’s MAPS™ MAP IP signalling emulator is enhanced to simulate LCS procedures over Lg and
Lh interfaces using MAP signalling protocol. MS initiated Location Report Procedure is supported over Lg Interface between GMLC and MSC and
network initiated Location Retrieval Procedure is supported over Lh Interface between GMLC and HLR.

Further, the MAPS™ Lb interface emulator supports Location Service Request procedure over Lb interface between BSC and SMLC using BSSMAP-
LE signalling protocol. These are discussed briefly below.

Within MAPS™ the Location Estimate parameters such as Type of Shape and coordinates are input through conventional user profiles or are fetched
from a CSV file every time it sends the location estimate to the client. This selection is to be made by the user in Profile configuration.

If the selection is 'Profile' all the values present in the particular profile will be sent in the message response. If the selection is made as ‘CSV’, an
entry from the csv file is loaded and all the values from the fetched record will be sent in the message response.

These coordinates indicate different position of MS at different intervals of time and report is sent either periodically at specified time duration or at
once when requested.

Typical call flow simulation of location based service messages by MAPS™ is as shown –

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 5/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

Complete Call Flow of LCS Procedures with MAPS™ Lb, and MAPS™ MAP IP (Lg, Lh) Emulators

MAPS™ LCS Test Suite for GSM

Lg, Lh Interfaces

MAPS™ MAP IP supports testing LCS functionality between SGSN/MSC and GMLC network elements within UMTS network. The Lg, Lh Interface
enable LCS in the GPRS/UMTS to provide support for specialized mobile location services for operators, subscribers, and third party service
providers. Both LCS server and LCS client simulation are supported Lg, Lh Interface.

For more details on Lg, Lh interface simulation using MAPS™ MAP IP emulator, visit Lg, Lh Interfaces webpage.

Lb Interface (GSM Network)

MAPS™ Lb interface emulator can simulate LCS positioning procedures over GSM Lb interface by simulating SMLC (Serving Mobile Location
Center) and BSC (Base Station Center) network elements.

MAPS™ Lb supports BSSMAP-LE message exchange between BSS and SMLC as per 3GPP TS 49.031 specification. The Lb interface, is
transparent to all UE related and LMU (Location Measurement Utility) related positioning procedures.

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 6/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)
For more details on GSM Lb interface simulation using MAPS™ Lb interface emulator, visit Lb Interface (GSM Network) webpage.

LCS in UMTS Network

LCS Procedures in UMTS
MAPS™ LCS Test Suite
for UMTS

Simulation of Location Based Services in UMTS Network

As depicted in the main diagram above, some of the important interfaces participating in the location request and response in the UMTS network are:

Lg interface - The MSC/VLR and SGSN is accessible to the GMLC via the Lg interface
Lh interface - The HLR is accessible to the GMLC via the Lh interface
IuPC interface – The SAS is accessible to the RNC via the IuPC interface

Location estimation in UMTS network uses Positioning Calculation Application Part (PCAP) protocol over IuPC interface between RNC and the
Standalone SMLC (SAS). PCAP consists of Elementary Procedures (EPs) initiating message and possibly a response message. Following are the
functions of IuPC interface.

Management of Position Calculation Functions

Management of SAS Centric Position Functions
Management of Information Exchange Functions

LoCation Services (LCS) Architecture

Location estimation uses different positioning methodologies that are classified into network based and handset based methods. The main difference
is that the network-based measurements do their calculations at the infrastructure, while the handset measurements do their calculations at the
handset.

The standard positioning methods used in UMTS network are:

Cell coverage based positioning methods (network based)

OTDOA positioning method (network based)
A-GNSS based positioning methods (handset based)
UTDOA positioning method (network based)

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 7/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

LCS Procedures in UMTS

GL’s MAPS™ LCS test suite comprises of multiple products working in tandem to support simulation of end-to-end location based services in GSM,
UMTS, and LTE networks.

Specifically, to support location services in UMTS network, GL’s MAPS™ MAP IP signalling emulator is enhanced to simulate Lg, and Lh interfaces
using MAP protocol for estimating the position of mobile devices (mobile phones, wireless personnel, digital assistants and so on) independent of
underlying network technology.

Further, the MAPS™ IuPC interface emulator supports PCAP signaling procedure over UMTS IuPC interface between RNC and SAS. These are
discussed briefly below.

Within MAPS™ the Location Estimate parameters such as Type of Shape and coordinates are input through conventional user profiles or are fetched
from a CSV file every time it sends the location estimate to the client. This selection is to be made by the user in Profile configuration.

If the selection is 'Profile' all the values present in the particular profile will be sent in the message response. If the selection is made as ‘CSV’, an
entry from the csv file is loaded and all the values from the fetched record will be sent in the message response.

These co-ordinates indicate different position of MS at different intervals of time and report is sent either periodically at specified time duration or at
once when requested.

Typical call flow simulation of location based service messages by MAPS™ is as shown –

Complete Call Flow of LCS Procedures with MAPS™ IuPC, and MAPS™ MAP IP (Lg, Lh) Emulators

MAPS™ LCS Test Suite for UMTS

Lg, Lh Interfaces
MAPS™ MAP IP supports testing LCS functionality between SGSN/MSC and GMLC network elements within UMTS network. The Lg, Lh Interface
enable LCS in the GPRS/UMTS to provide support for specialized mobile location services for operators, subscribers, and third party service
providers. Both LCS server and LCS client simulation are supported Lg, Lh Interface.

For more details on Lg, Lh interface simulation using MAPS™ MAP IP emulator, visit Lg, Lh Interfaces webpage.

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 8/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

IuPC Interface
MAPS™ IuPC supports simulation of location service operation using PCAP (Positioning Calculation Application Part) protocol between the Radio
Network Controller (RNC) and the Standalone SMLC (SAS) and the associated signaling procedures as per 3GPP TS 25.305 specification within
UMTS network.

MAPS™ IuPC Emulator simulates Positioning Calculation Service, SAS Centric Position Service, and Information Exchange Service PCAP functions.

For more details on IuPC interface simulation using MAPS™ IuPC emulator, visit IuPC Interface webpage.

LCS in LTE Network

LCS Procedures in LTE
MAPS™ LCS Test Suite
for LTE

Simulation of Location Based Services in LTE Network

LoCation Services (LCS) Architecture

The LCS architecture in LTE follows a client/server model with the positioning functionality distributed across LTE radio nodes, eNodeBs, Mobile
Management Entity (MME), Evolved-Serving Mobile Location Center (E-SMLC) and Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC). As depicted in the
diagram above, some of the important interfaces participating in the location request and response in LTE network are summarized below:

SLs interface - MME is accessible to the E-SMLC via the SLs interface using LCS-AP protocol
SLg interface - MME is accessible to the GMLC via the SLg interface using Diameter protocol
SLh interface - HSS is accessible to the GMLC via the SLh interface using Diameter protocol

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 9/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

LoCation Services (LCS) Architecture

LTE operates using two positioning protocols via the radio network: LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) and LPP Annex (LPPa). LPP protocol supports
hybrid positioning method, in which two or more position methods are used simultaneously to provide accurate measurements. The LTE Positioning
Protocols (LPP and LPPa) are carried in LCS-AP PDUs over established SCTP session between an E-SMLC and MME.
Location estimation uses hybrid positioning methodologies from the list of positioning methods given below. These positioning methods may be UE-
based, network-based, UE-assisted, network-assisted and/or combination of these methods. The main difference is that the network-based
measurements do their calculations at the infrastructure, while the UE based measurements do their calculations at the device.

The standard positioning methods used in LTE network are:

Enhanced Cell-ID (network based, handset assisted)

OTDOA positioning method (network based, handset assisted)
UTDOA positioning method (network based)
A-GNSS based positioning methods (handset based, network-assisted)

LCS Procedures in LTE

GL’s MAPS™ LCS test suite comprises of multiple products working in tandem to support simulation of end-to-end location based services in GSM,
UMTS, and LTE networks.
Specifically, to support location services in LTE network, GL’s MAPS™ Diameter signalling emulator is enhanced to simulate SLg, and SLh interfaces
using Diameter protocol for estimating the position of mobile devices (mobile phones, wireless personnel, digital assistants and so on) independent of
underlying network technology.

Further, the MAPS™ SLs interface emulator supports Location Service Request procedure over LTE SLs interface between MME and E-SMLC using
LCS-AP signalling protocol. These are discussed briefly below.

Typical call flow simulation of location based service messages by MAPS™ is as shown –

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 10/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

Complete Call Flow of LCS Procedures with MAPS™ SLs, and MAPS™ Diameter (SLg, SLh) Emulators

MAPS™ LCS Test Suite for LTE

SLg, SLh
Interfaces
MAPS™ Diameter
supports testing
LCS functionality
between MME and
GMLC network
elements within LTE
network.

Both LCS server

and LCS client
simulation are
supported for
Diameter SLg
(MME-GMLC), and
over SLh interface
(GMLC-HSS). The
SLg and SLh
interface application
implements the
following Mobile
Application
Services:

Provide
Subscriber
Location
Subscriber
Location
Report
Location
Routing Info

For more details on

SLg,and SLh
interfaces simulation
using MAPS™
Diameter emulator,
visit SLg, SLh
Interfaces
webpage.
https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 11/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

SLs Interface
MAPS™ SLs
interface emulator
testing LCS
functionality
between E-SMLC
(Enhanced Serving
Mobile Location
Center) and MME
(Mobile
Management Entity)
in the LTE network.

LCS Application
Protocol (LCS-AP)
is a logical interface
between the MME
and the E-SMLC
supporting the
location services in
E-UTRAN. The LTE
Positioning
Protocols (LPP and
LPPa) can be
carried in LCS-AP
messages which are
transparent to the
MME.

MAPS™ SLs
supports LCS-AP
procedures, which
are divided as
Location service
request procedure,
and Location
information
exchange
procedure.

For more details on

LTE SLs interface
simulation using
MAPS™ SLs
interface emulator,
visit SLs Interface
webpage.

Resources
Please Note: The XX in the Item No. refers to the hardware platform, listed at the bottom of the Buyer's Guide, which the software will be running on.
Therefore, XX can either be ETA or EEA (Octal/Quad Boards), PTA or PEA (tProbe Units), UTA or UEA (USB Units), HUT or HUE (Universal Cards),
and HDT or HDE (HD cards) depending upon the hardware.

Item Description
Location Services for 2G
PKS147 MAPS™ Lb Interface Emulator
PKS132 MAPS™ MAP IP Emulator
Location Services for 3G
PKS153 MAPS™ IuPC Interface Emulator
PKS132 MAPS™ MAP IP Emulator
Location Services for 4G
PKS148 MAPS™ SLs Interface Emulator
PKS139 MAPS™ Diameter Emulator

Brochures
MAPS™ Lb Brochure
MAPS™ MAP IP Brochure
MAPS™ IuPC Brochure
MAPS™ SLs Brochure

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 12/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)
wireless Network Brochure

MAPS™ Diameter Brochure

GL Product Lists
Presentations
MAPS Test Suite for Location Services Testing Presentation
Signaling and Traffic Simulation using MAPS - Presentation

Industries

Telecommunications

Aerospace

Transport

Defense

Satellite Communications

Emergency Services

Mission Critical Communications

Wireless Test Solutions

Communication Network Lab

(2G, 3G, 4G, IP, TDM)

LTE Analysis & Simulation

Wireless Voice Quality

Wireless Protocol Analysis

Wireless Protocol Emulation

Voice Quality Solutions

Network Monitoring Solutions

Overview - All Networks

Overview - Network Monitoring

Optical Network

VoIP Network

TDM Network

Wireless Network (4G, 3G, 2G)

Network Impairment Simulation

Demo - Live Network Monitoring

Voice, Video, & Data QoS

Ethernet / IP Test Solutions

Rack Based Test Solutions

Ethernet/IP Testing & Analysis

MAPS™ Based Emulation

LTE Analysis & Simulation

PPP & ML PPP Testing

IP Fax / Modem Testing

IP Voice Quality Solutions

VoIP EC Testing

GL DataTest Server

Optical Test Solutions

Optical Testing
Rack Based Test Solutions
UnChannelized OC-12/STM-4
UnChannelized OC-3/STM-1

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 13/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)
Channelized OC-12/STM-4
Channelized OC-3/STM-1
Protocol Analysis
Protocol Simulation
Ethernet Test Solutions

TDM Test Solutions

Analysis Platforms
Hand Portable Test Instruments
Rack Based Test Solutions
T1E1 Testing
T3E3, OC-3/12, STM-1/4 Testing
Digital & Analog Call Simulation
Voice Quality Solutions
Fax / Modem Testing
Miscellaneous Software

Subscription

Join our mailing list to stay up to date and get notified on our product releases and software updates!

Subscribe NOW

Follow Us

Language

English
中文

Get in touch

+1 (301) 670-4784 | info@gl.com

+ 91 (80) 4048-8400 | glindia@gl.com

+ 86 (21) 6237-0268 | glchina@gl.com

Copyright © 2020 GL Communications Inc - All Rights Reserved.

RSS Feed
Privacy Policy
Contact

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 14/15
7/13/2020 Simulation of Location Based Services in Mobile Networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E-UTRAN)

Close

https://www.gl.com/test-location-based-services-lbs-wireless-networks.html 15/15