Ulticom's Signalware software provides solutions to accelerate development and deployment
of network elements that enable Location-Based Services (LBS). Application developers
can take full advantage of Signalware's APIs, including GSM Mobile Application Part
(MAP), TIA/EIA-41, SS7 protocols, Base Station Subsystem Application Part (BSSAP),
CAMEL Application Part (CAP), Signaling Transport (SIGTRAN), and Session Initiation
Protocol (SIP). Signalware offers an unparalleled combination of scalability, global
interoperability, fault resilience, and standards-based Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs) on open computing platforms. Signalware can be used to accelerate
development of Serving Mobile Location Centers (SMLCs) and Gateway Mobile Location
Centers (GMLCs) for Global System for Mobiles (GSM) networks, as well as Position
Determining Network Equipment (PDE) and Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) for Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks.
Emerging World of Location-Based Services
LBS exploit the knowledge of a mobile subscriber's positioning information, profile,
and history to provide localized and personalized safety, as well as content-based
services. Determining the position of the end user's mobile device enables delivery
of relevant or contextual services.
LBS generally fall into four categories:
- Safety - Emergency services and roadside assistance
- Information - Business finder, traffic alerts, and weather
- Tracking - Friend finder, fleet management, and child tracker
- Billing - Zoned-based pricing options
Regulatory agencies are forcing carriers to accurately position wireless emergency
calls (E-911 in the United States). Mobile operators realize the resulting
network infrastructure upgrade costs will need to be recovered. As a result, service
providers now view subscriber location information as a tangible asset, which can
be leveraged to establish partnerships with consumer product and service companies
to offer targeted commercial applications. This paves the way for more dynamic business
models, such as revenue sharing, co-marketing partnerships, and branded content,
and for mass-market adoption of mobile data applications, such as multimedia messaging.
New technologies, such as Cell-ID, Enhanced Observation Time Difference (E-OTD),
Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), and Assisted GPS (A-GPS) are now enabling detection
and delivery of precise subscriber positioning information. This leads to customized
location-specific emergency or commercial services capitalizing on wireless network
operator assets.
Signaling protocols are key technology elements in enabling LBS:
- BSSAP Location Extension (BSSAP-LE) - Specific GSM protocol and extensions that
provide the necessary signaling messages for enabling SMLC.
- CAP - GSM intelligent network protocol that allows Any Time Interrogation (ATI)
of the Home Location Register (HLR) for Cell-ID and other subscriber information.
- J-STD-036 - TIA/EIA-41 extension for enhanced wireless emergency services. It defines
the messaging required to support information transfer and to identify (and locate)
wireless emergency services callers.
- SIP - Enables location-based push services at the application level by providing
presence and instant messaging capabilities.
- Mobile Location Protocol (MLP) - Facilitates the exchange of location information
between location-based applications and location servers.
3GPP Network Architecture for LBS