Location based services in a wireless WAN using cellular digital packet data (CDPD)

Abstract

This paper shows how a standard mobile data technology, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), can be used to localize mobile data users, and provide location based services. We present a location determination system that is handset-based. Using CDPD and modem protocols, this system extracts the location of the users up to the cell site coverage in the network; it also exposes this location information to the application layer. We have implemented a prototype of the entire system; it works nationwide with mobile laptop and Pocket PC users. The system is adequate for providing personalized location based service such as finding close businesses of interest, or business services such as tracking and fleet management, or traffic and re-routing applications, among others.