Conceptual framework that supports environment-aware positioning and improved QOS for Location Based Services

Location based services (LBS) enables mobile users to have access to information based on their current geographical location. LBS are an important aspect of the ubiquitous wireless world and are paving the way to provide users with customizable services anywhere and at anytime. It is worth noting that there are different accuracy requirements for different LBS and not all location methods can provide the required accuracy due to error sources. Mobile network operators need to know which location method is best suited for the required accuracy of LBS based on the dynamically varying factors that affects the location method. The sources of the errors include geographical sources, wireless environment sources, measurement bias, geometric sources, etc. This paper proposes the development of a framework that will allow mobile network operators to compare different location methods to ensure the provision of improved quality of service to the mobile user and optimized usage of infrastructure. This framework takes into consideration the error sources of the location methods based on specific geographic area.