Base Station Paging for UE Positioning in RRC Idle States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G positioning technologies do not support efficient positioning of user equipment (UE) in RRC idle or inactive states, leading to increased energy consumption and positioning delays due to the inability to send positioning assistance information and request location information through LPP messages.
Innovation Solution
A method involving base stations broadcasting a paging message carrying a positioning request to UE in RRC disconnected states, allowing UE to perform measurements and report results without transitioning to connected states, using NRPPa protocols and Xn interfaces for communication between base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UE transitions to RRC connected state to receive positioning assistance information, then positioning accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases and positioning delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring positioning parameters and assistance information in system information blocks before the UE needs positioning. The base station broadcasts positioning request messages and assistance information proactively to UEs in idle/inactive states, so that when positioning is needed, the UE can immediately perform measurements without transitioning to connected state, thus avoiding energy consumption and delay associated with state transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary between the location management function and the UE. It receives positioning request messages from the location management function, processes positioning assistance information, and broadcasts it to UEs in idle/inactive states through paging messages. This intermediary role allows the network to provide positioning services without requiring UE to transition to connected state, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If UE transitions to RRC connected state to receive positioning assistance information, then positioning accuracy is improved, but positioning delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring positioning parameters and assistance information in system information blocks before the UE needs positioning. The base station broadcasts positioning request messages and assistance information proactively to UEs in idle/inactive states, so that when positioning is needed, the UE can immediately perform measurements without transitioning to connected state, thus avoiding energy consumption and delay associated with state transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning assistance information and request messages are continuously broadcast by base stations to UEs in idle/inactive states. This continuous availability of positioning information ensures that when a UE needs positioning, it can immediately start measurements without waiting for state transition or additional signaling, thus eliminating positioning delay while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If LMF sends positioning assistance information through LPP messages, then positioning capability is enabled, but it cannot work in RRC idle/inactive states
Solution Approach 1:
The base station is designed with multi-functionality to handle both connected and idle/inactive state UEs. It can receive positioning request messages from the location management function, process positioning assistance information, and broadcast it to UEs in any state through paging messages. This universal approach enables positioning capability to work across all RRC states without requiring state transition, resolving the contradiction between positioning capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary between the location management function and the UE. It receives positioning request messages from the location management function, processes positioning assistance information, and broadcasts it to UEs in idle/inactive states through paging messages. This intermediary role allows the network to provide positioning services without requiring UE to transition to connected state, resolving the contradiction between positioning capability and device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If base station broadcasts positioning request message, then positioning in idle state is enabled, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning request message and positioning assistance information are merged into the existing paging message structure. The base station broadcasts these combined messages to UEs in idle/inactive states, utilizing the existing paging mechanism rather than creating a separate signaling channel. This merging approach enables positioning in idle state while minimizing additional signaling overhead by reusing existing message formats and broadcast mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing method applied to a first base station anchored by a UE is provided. The method includes: broadcasting, in response to receiving a positioning request message, a first paging message carrying the positioning request message, where the UE is in an RRC disconnected state, and the positioning request message is configured to request a positioning result of the UE.