SAN DIEGO-Qualcomm Inc. and Lucent Technologies Inc. announced an agreement to jointly develop and promote standardization of a technology for locating the point of origin of an emergency wireless phone call.
The technique is based on Qualcomm’s advancements in Code Division Multiple Access handsets and ASIC chip technology, and networking research from Bell Labs, Lucent’s research and development arm, said Qualcomm. The technology is designed to meet the Federal Communications Commission’s enhanced 911 mandate.
“The solution being developed by Qualcomm and Lucent will help establish an E911 industry solution to make precise and accurate location information readily available,” said Gina Lombardi, vice president of product management for Qualcomm consumer products.
“The technology will allow emergency personnel to locate wireless phone users in distress no matter where they are in a carrier’s network, from isolated locales to crowded urban settings,” Lombardi said.
The solution enhances location services accuracy for a caller in an emergency situation by combining signals from a constellation of global positioning system satellites, CDMA standard cellular and personal communications services networks, along with modifications to the handsets. The solution enhances location services availability and accelerates the location determination process.
The FCC has mandated that by October 2001 all wireless 911 calls must be pinpointed within 410 feet. The Qualcomm/Lucent wireless position location solution has exhibited the ability to pinpoint origination within 15 feet outdoors and 100 feet inside buildings, said Qualcomm.
