Mobile location estimation via the use of a spatially-dependent signal database is of growing importance. However, this location estimation method usually requires an a priori experimental measurement campaign. To overcome this drawback we propose here a new method of location estimation via the real-time creation of a virtual signal database. The virtual database is created on-demand by an optimized ray-tracing algorithm embedded on the user device. We explore how the creation of the virtual database can be optimized so as to determine the required location at the lowest time-to-fix. Our results demonstrate that in current 3G cellular mobile systems, and using current mobile phone hardware, sub-50 m accuracy can be achieved in less than a few seconds. Our work shows that accurate real-time location estimation via user embedded ray tracing is now viable and can lead to more accurate solutions in a range of circumstances.
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