Methods and apparatus for enhancing the configurability of 5G new radio positioning reference signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G New Radio (NR) systems lack sufficient configurability and accuracy in positioning reference signals (PRS) for various scenarios and devices, including IoT devices, requiring enhanced flexibility and interference management.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining resource allocation for PRS from time and frequency resources, using orthogonal cover codes, interleaving patterns, power adjustments, and beamforming, with flexible granularity, periodicity, and interference mitigation techniques to enhance PRS configurability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing 5G NR systems use standard PRS configurations, then basic positioning functionality is provided, but configurability and accuracy for various scenarios and devices are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The PRS configuration is segmented into multiple independent parameters including resource allocation patterns, comb structures, resource element offsets, and periodicity settings. Each parameter can be independently configured to meet specific positioning scenario requirements, enabling fine-grained control over PRS characteristics for different devices and use cases
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic PRS configuration where parameters such as resource allocation, bandwidth, and periodicity can be adjusted in real-time based on positioning accuracy requirements, device capabilities, and network conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the same PRS framework to serve diverse scenarios from IoT devices to high-precision positioning requirements
2Measurement precision
If PRS transmission uses fixed resource allocation, then system simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy for diverse scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different resource allocation strategies are applied locally to different positioning scenarios and device types. For example, IoT devices may use sparse, low-overhead PRS configurations while high-precision requirements utilize denser resource allocations with multiple combs and extended periodicity, optimizing positioning accuracy for each specific case
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple configurable parameters including resource element offsets, comb structures (comb2, comb4, comb6, comb8), bandwidth allocations, and periodicity settings. By varying these parameters, the system can adapt PRS characteristics to achieve optimal positioning accuracy for different scenarios without requiring fundamentally different signal structures
3Measurement precision
If PRS uses higher transmission power to improve accuracy, then positioning accuracy improves, but interference with other signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates PRS transmissions across multiple dimensions including frequency (different resource blocks and combs), time (different periodicities and offsets), and code (orthogonal cover codes). This multi-dimensional separation allows PRS to achieve sufficient detection accuracy through signal diversity rather than relying solely on increased power, thereby reducing interference with other signals
4Adaptability or versatility
If PRS configuration is highly flexible to support various devices, then adaptability improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A unified PRS framework is designed that can serve multiple device types and positioning scenarios through a single set of configurable parameters. The same resource allocation mechanisms and signal structures are used across IoT devices, smartphones, and other equipment, managed through standardized higher-layer configuration procedures that abstract away the underlying complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting a positioning reference signal, PRS, by a base station operating a cell in a 5G New Radio, NR, wireless communication system. The method comprising: determining a resource allocation from time and frequency resources of the cell for the transmission of the PRS; and transmitting the PRS using the determined resource allocation.