Airplane UE Positioning via Group Sharing in Radio-Silent NTN Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for collecting UE positioning information in non-terrestrial networks, such as satellite communication networks, are inadequate when an airplane goes radio silent, preventing air traffic control from locating it accurately.
Innovation Solution
UEs onboard the airplane utilize short-range communication protocols like Bluetooth or sidelinks to exchange positioning information, enabling group reporting to the network, and transmit uplink positioning reference signals to derive location information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional communication mechanisms are used for collecting UE positioning information in NTN, then the system operates with existing infrastructure, but positioning accuracy deteriorates when airplane goes radio silent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces short-range communication protocols (Bluetooth, sidelinks) as intermediary mechanisms between UEs on the airplane and the NTN. When traditional radio communication fails, these intermediary protocols enable UEs to exchange positioning information locally, allowing the network to derive location data through alternative paths and maintain positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning information collection into individual UE-level measurements and group-level aggregation. Each UE independently collects positioning data using short-range protocols, then the network aggregates these segmented measurements to determine the airplane's location, improving overall positioning accuracy through multiple independent data sources.
2Loss of information
If individual UE positioning information is collected from each UE on the airplane, then positioning data completeness improves, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual UE positioning measurements into a unified group positioning report. Instead of transmitting separate positioning data from each UE independently, the network consolidates these measurements into a single aggregated report, maintaining complete positioning information while significantly reducing signaling overhead and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal group positioning mechanism that serves multiple UEs simultaneously. A single group positioning procedure collects and processes positioning information from multiple UEs on the airplane, making the positioning system multi-functional and efficient rather than requiring separate individual procedures for each UE.
3Loss of energy
If group positioning information is implemented, then signaling overhead is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where UEs autonomously form groups and perform positioning measurements without extensive network coordination. The system automatically manages group formation, information collection, and reporting based on pre-configured parameters, reducing the need for complex network-side group management procedures while maintaining low signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) configured to collect UE positioning information configured to indicate a location of the UE, wherein the UE is deployed onboard an airplane and report the UE positioning information to a cell of a non-terrestrial network (NTN). Also, a user equipment (UE) configured to receive a request for uplink positioning reference signals, wherein the uplink positioning reference signals are to indicate a location of the UE and wherein the UE is deployed on an airplane and transmit the uplink positioning reference signals to a cell of a non-terrestrial network (NTN).