Adaptive PRS Waveforms for High-Accuracy NR-IoT Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, lack effective positioning reference signals suitable for low-powered devices lacking inbuilt navigation circuitry, necessitating improved methods for high-accuracy positioning in New Radio-Internet of Things (NR-IoT) environments.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of new positioning reference signals (PRS) in 5G NR systems, configured based on user equipment (UE) positioning requirements and capabilities, including waveform type, resource allocation, numerology, bandwidth, precoding, and periodicity, to enhance positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing wireless communication systems use traditional reference signals, then system compatibility is maintained, but positioning accuracy for low-powered devices is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsuitability for low-powered devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies reference signal parameters including waveform type (OFDM or DFT-s-OFDM), subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, bandwidth, and periodicity to create positioning reference signals optimized for low-powered devices. These parameter changes enable accurate positioning measurements while adapting to the specific capabilities and constraints of NR-IoT devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces device-specific positioning reference signal configurations tailored to individual low-powered devices based on their capabilities and positioning requirements. Each device receives customized PRS parameters including waveform type, bandwidth, and periodicity, allowing optimized positioning performance for each device's specific needs rather than using a one-size-fits-approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If positioning reference signals are configured with high bandwidth and short periodicity, then positioning accuracy improves, but signal transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsignal configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic positioning reference signal configuration where the base station adjusts PRS parameters such as bandwidth, periodicity, and waveform type based on real-time device capabilities, positioning accuracy requirements, and network conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to achieve high positioning accuracy when needed while reducing complexity under normal operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies multiple PRS parameters including subcarrier spacing (15, 30, 60, 120 kHz), cyclic prefix lengths, bandwidth allocations, and periodicities to optimize the balance between positioning accuracy and signal complexity. These parameter changes enable flexible configuration that adapts to different positioning scenarios and device capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple positioning reference signal parameters are customized per device, then positioning effectiveness for specific devices improves, but system resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning effectivenessVSAvoidsignal resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments positioning reference signal resources by allocating different PRS configurations to different device groups or individual devices based on their positioning requirements. This segmentation allows customized PRS parameters for devices needing high accuracy positioning while using more efficient configurations for devices with lower requirements, thereby optimizing resource utilization across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs positioning reference signals that can serve multiple functions including positioning measurements, channel estimation, and synchronization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated signals for each purpose, thereby reducing overall resource overhead while maintaining positioning effectiveness through the versatile PRS design.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3769569B1Waveform design and signaling support for positioning enhancement
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3769569B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3769569B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3769569B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects and features provide waveform design and signaling support that provide and facilitate high accuracy positioning determination by low powered devices (e.g. UEs) in NR and IoT by allowing UEs to request on demand positioning operation support from a base station and the base station to dynamically configure parameters associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS) for transmission to the UEs. A UE may transmit an indication of its positioning requirement and/or capability information to a base station. The base station may configure parameters associated with a positioning reference signal (PRS), for example, a waveform type of the PRS, based on the indication and transmit the PRS to the UE. The UE may receive the PRS having the configured parameters and may perform at least one of UE positioning, ranging, or a UE velocity determination based on the received PRS.