5G Positioning via Highest Sub-Carrier Spacing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the position of user equipment (UE) in cellular networks, such as those using 4G LTE and 5G NR, face challenges in efficiency and accuracy when relying on timing advance values.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining the position of the UE by utilizing radio carriers or bandwidth parts with the highest sub-carrier spacing, which are associated with the smallest timing advance values, thereby improving the accuracy of the positioning session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If timing advance values are used for position determination in cellular networks, then the position can be determined using existing cellular infrastructure, but the accuracy is limited by the resolution of timing advance values associated with different radio carriers and bandwidth parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of selecting appropriate radio carrier or bandwidth part
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by switching between different radio carriers or bandwidth parts with different sub-carrier spacings to optimize timing advance value resolution. The system changes the operational parameters (sub-carrier spacing) to achieve higher measurement precision for position determination when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling the user equipment to dynamically switch between different radio carriers or bandwidth parts based on the positioning accuracy requirements. The system adapts the timing advance measurement resolution dynamically by selecting appropriate carriers with higher sub-carrier spacings when enhanced accuracy is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If radio carriers with higher sub-carrier spacing are used to improve timing advance resolution, then position determination accuracy improves, but the complexity of managing multiple radio carriers and bandwidth parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming advance value resolutionVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple radio carriers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple radio carriers and bandwidth parts with different sub-carrier spacings before positioning operations. The network and user equipment prepare the necessary carriers in advance, so when high-precision positioning is needed, the appropriate high-resolution carrier is already available for immediate use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing the system to support multiple radio carriers and bandwidth parts that can serve both general communication functions and enhanced positioning functions. The same infrastructure is used for both data communication and high-precision positioning, with the ability to switch between different carriers based on the required function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4275413B1Enhancements in position determination in 5g cellular communications
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4275413B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4275413B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4275413B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The location of a user equipment may be determined by having the user equipment use a radio carrier and/or a bandwidth part having the highest sub-carrier spacing available to the user equipment. A user equipment may communicate through a plurality of radio carriers, determine a first radio carrier or bandwidth part having a highest sub-carrier spacing, determine a timing advance value associated with the first radio carrier or bandwidth part, and transmit to a location server, the timing advance value.