Beam Management for Positioning in 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in integrating beamforming with positioning measurements, particularly in coordinating multipoint beamforming for accurate 2D/3D positioning.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves configuring User Equipment (UE) with reference signal resource settings and Channel State Information (CSI) reporting settings to facilitate beam management and positioning measurements. This includes transmitting positioning reference signals using beamforming and reporting measurement information to network nodes for location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beamforming schemes are integrated with positioning measurements in 5G networks, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning measurement process into distinct phases: beam management for positioning (BM4P) separately from regular beam management. It divides reference signal resources into positioning-specific resources (PRS, CSI-RS for positioning) and communication resources, allowing independent optimization of each function while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary beam management framework (BM4P) that mediates between beamforming operations and positioning measurements. This intermediary layer coordinates the transmission of positioning reference signals across multiple transmission points and manages beam correspondence, simplifying the integration process and reducing system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multipoint beamforming coordination is implemented for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes beam management procedures universal by designing BM4P to handle both single-point and multipoint scenarios using the same framework. The beam correspondence mechanism and resource configuration methods work across different deployment scenarios, reducing the need for scenario-specific signaling and overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes signaling by changing parameters such as beam reporting granularity and resource configuration periodicity. It allows dynamic adjustment of reporting configurations based on positioning accuracy requirements, reducing signaling overhead when high accuracy is not needed while maintaining the capability for high-accuracy multipoint positioning when required.
3Measurement precision
If beam correspondence is enforced across multiple transmission points, then positioning accuracy is improved, but detection complexity at UE increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing beam correspondence relationships between transmission points before positioning measurements begin. The network configures beam pairs and spatial filters in advance, so that during actual positioning, the UE only needs to measure using pre-configured beams rather than performing complex beam searches, significantly reducing detection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the UE to reuse downlink beam configurations for uplink transmissions and vice versa. The beam correspondence principle allows the UE to automatically determine appropriate transmit and receive beams based on received configurations without additional network assistance, reducing the burden on the UE and simplifying detection procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein relate to method performed by a radio network node or a LMF, a method performed by a UE and a UE for downlink and uplink beam management for positioning measurements. The method comprising at least: configuring the target UE; receiving at least one report from the UE; exchanging the report(s) with neighboring network nodes and/or a location measurement function; providing instructions the UE; receiving at least one measurement report from the UE; and estimating the location of the UE using received information.