Locating packet-switched mobile terminals using network initiated artificial cell hops

A method of determining the position of a wireless mobile terminal comprising:

• determining a first timing advance between the mobile terminal and a first base station based on packet-switched communications therebetween;
• sending a command to said mobile terminal instructing said mobile terminal to:
• synchronize to a second base station and transmit one or more access bursts thereto;
• and,
• thereafter, without waiting for an acknowledgement of said access bursts to said second base station, synchronize to a third base station and transmit one or more access bursts thereto;
• determining a second timing advance between said mobile terminal and said second base station;
• determining a third timing advance between said mobile terminal and said third base station;
• determining the location of said mobile terminal based on said first, second, and third timing advances.

A method of determining the position of a wireless mobile terminal comprising:

• determining a first timing advance between the mobile terminal and a first base station based on packet-switched communications therebetween;
• sending a first command, via said first base station, instructing said mobile terminal to artificially change from said first base station to a second base station, and thereafter determining a second timing advance between said mobile terminal and said second base station based on packet-switched communications therebetween;
• thereafter sending a second command, via said second base station, instructing said mobile terminal to artificially change from said second base station to a third base station, and thereafter determining a third timing advance between said mobile terminal and said third base station based on packet-switched communications therebetween;
• determining the location of said mobile terminal based on said first, second, and third timing advances.
• wherein said first and second commands are packet cell change order commands.

A method of determining the position of a wireless mobile terminal comprising:

• determining a first timing advance between the mobile terminal and a first base station based on packet-switched communications therebetween, said first base station having a first sectorized cell associated therewith;
• sending a command to said mobile terminal instructing said mobile terminal to
• synchronize to a second base station and transmit one or more access bursts thereto, said second base station;
• determining a second timing advance between said mobile terminal and said second base station;
• determining the location of said mobile terminal based on said first and second timing advances and a sector configuration of said first sectorized cell.