US : Andrew Wireless Solutions has introduced a major advancement in the accuracy and flexibility of its Geometrix(R) Mobile Location Center (MLC) platform for UMTS networks worldwide.

The new Hybrid Caller Location feature set brings third generation (3G) UMTS networks the capability to produce high-accuracy caller locating when adverse geographic or other conditions may limit the effectiveness of individual locating methods. The Andrew Geometrix MLC now supports high-accuracy A-GPS and Hybrid caller locating methods for both 3G UMTS and GSM networks.

"By offering Geometrix MLC with UMTS compatibility and Hybrid location capabilities we further extend Andrew's global leadership in advanced location technologies for operators," said John Baker, vice president, Technical Marketing, Andrew Wireless Network Solutions Group. "Adding these innovative technologies creates an additional means for operators to obtain and provide accurate caller locations when GPS signal reception is less than optimal, such as in heavy urban areas or indoor environments."

In addition to computing high-accuracy caller locations to support E911 calls, Andrew's 2G/3G MLC also supports enhanced value-added commercial location-based services (LBS). The Andrew MLC can combine both Control Plane (CoPL) and Secure User Plane (SUPL) location methods on the same hardware platform. This blend of network- and device-based technologies produces the needed location speed, accuracy and reliability that is necessary for future LBS.

Support For All Network and Handset Methodologies

Andrew's Geometrix MLC platforms support handset-based and network-based wireless location methods including A-GPS in both mobile-based and mobile-assisted versions, cell identity (CID), enhanced cell identity (E-CID), uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA), and RF pattern discrimination technologies. Andrew's Hybrid location technology melds elements of handset-based A-GPS and network-based location methods to allow high-accuracy caller location under conditions in which A-GPS alone might not provide an accurate location reading. Andrew has also innovated to design advanced location technologies for Internet Protocol (IP) networks including voice over IP and WiMAX.

Serving Broad Markets Worldwide

Operators and third-parties worldwide can count on Geometrix MLCs to offer location-based services for:

-- Consumers, to provide navigation, motorist assistance, child tracking, vehicle location, and shipment status;

-- Enterprises, to enhance vehicle and service dispatch, follow fleet movement, and track valuable assets;

-- Public safety, to help locate callers for emergency service centers.

Andrew's experience in location-based services includes close work with LBS application companies. In addition, Andrew has conducted years of end-to-end testing with operators, network equipment vendors and handset manufacturers. This deep body of experience enables Andrew to be an effective partner in the launching of LBS across different markets.

"As demand for location based services increases and changes, operators can have full confidence that their Geometrix MLC system will transition seamlessly as networks are upgraded or new capabilities are added," said Baker. "Our location technologies now extend from traditional wireless to emerging high-speed IP networks. Geometrix MLC is the highly flexible, carrier-grade platform that will serve as the foundation for location-based service applications for years to come."