5G Mobile Device Positioning via Multi-Domain Location Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location determination methods for mobile devices in cellular networks, particularly in 4G and 5G environments, face challenges in achieving high accuracy, low latency, and high capacity while adapting to new radio interfaces and network architectures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a system and method for positioning a mobile device that utilizes a combination of downlink, uplink, and sidelink signals, along with advanced signal processing techniques and network architecture enhancements, to improve location estimation accuracy and efficiency in 5G networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional OTDOA positioning methods are used in 4G networks, then positioning functionality is provided, but positioning accuracy and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified positioning framework that works across multiple radio access technologies (E-UTRA, NR, WLAN, Bluetooth). The location server and mobile device use common positioning protocols and procedures that are adapted to different radio interfaces, allowing the same core positioning functionality to serve multiple purposes and technologies without requiring separate systems for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies positioning parameters and procedures to accommodate new 5G NR radio interfaces while maintaining compatibility with existing 4G LTE systems. This includes adapting timing advance parameters, signal measurement procedures, and location calculation methods to work with NR's different frame structures and signal characteristics, thereby improving accuracy without sacrificing adaptability.
2Productivity
If network architecture changes are implemented to support 5G positioning, then positioning performance improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the positioning system into distinct functional modules: mobile device components for signal acquisition and measurement, base station components for signal transmission and measurement collection, and location server components for calculation and processing. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system coordination through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server acts as an intermediary that coordinates positioning operations between mobile devices and base stations. It manages positioning sessions, requests measurements, processes results, and delivers location estimates, thereby simplifying the interaction complexity between individual network elements while enabling sophisticated positioning capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If advanced signal processing techniques are used, then positioning accuracy improves, but processing time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization and calibration procedures where base stations and mobile devices establish timing relationships and signal characteristics in advance of actual positioning measurements. Assistance data including base station locations, timing information, and signal parameters are provided beforehand to the mobile device, reducing the processing time required during actual positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous signal monitoring and measurement operations rather than performing discrete batch processing. Mobile devices continuously acquire positioning signals from multiple base stations, and the location server continuously processes measurements as they arrive, enabling real-time location tracking with minimal latency while maintaining high accuracy through ongoing refinement of position estimates.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing location services for user equipment (UE) devices in a radio access network (RAN) such as a Fifth Generation (5G) RAN. Location services may be supported by separate positioning domains that may include a Device to Device domain, a RAN domain and a core network (CN) domain. The RAN domain may include a location server function (LSF) that may support positioning services autonomously within the RAN or in collaboration with a D2D or CN domain. The CN domain may include a location server (LS) that may support control plane and/or user plane location. The RAN domain may enable high volume and low latency location service whereas the CN domain may enable high accuracy service and services for external clients.