Calibrating Beam Orientation Errors for 5G Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless systems, beam orientation errors in network nodes lead to inaccurate positioning and suboptimal beam coverage, affecting the reliability and efficiency of user equipment (UE) location estimation and network resource management.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calibrating beam orientation errors by designating a UE as a reference receiver, performing measurements, and using the Location Management Function (LMF) to determine and correct beam orientation errors, thereby improving positioning accuracy and beam coverage through virtual anchor definitions and propagation map generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If beam orientation errors are not calibrated, then network node operations are simple, but positioning accuracy deteriorates and beam coverage becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference receiver (UE) as an intermediary element to measure and report beam orientation errors. This reference receiver acts as a mediator between the network nodes and the LMF, enabling error detection and correction without requiring direct complex calibration equipment at each network node. The reference receiver collects measurement information from multiple network nodes and transmits it to the LMF for processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reference receiver continuously measures beam orientation errors and reports them to the LMF. The LMF then determines corrections and communicates these back to the network nodes, creating a closed-loop feedback system. This feedback process enables continuous improvement of beam orientation accuracy without requiring manual recalibration.
2Measurement precision
If beam orientation errors are calibrated using reference receivers, then positioning accuracy improves, but processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The reference receiver serves itself by autonomously performing measurements of beam orientation errors and generating measurement information without requiring external intervention. The UE uses its own capabilities to collect data from multiple network nodes and process this information into useful correction data, reducing the need for additional network resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single reference receiver to perform measurements for multiple network nodes, which is a partial action approach. Instead of deploying calibration equipment at every network node (excessive action), one reference receiver provides calibration data for the entire network, reducing overall processing resource consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If beam orientation errors are corrected, then beam coverage improves, but system complexity increases due to virtual anchor definitions and propagation maps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual anchors as copies or representations of physical network nodes. These virtual anchors contain the corrected beam orientation information and serve as simplified models that can be used for positioning calculations. Instead of directly modifying physical network node configurations, the system creates virtual copies with corrected parameters, reducing the complexity of managing actual hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces propagation maps as an additional dimensional layer between physical network nodes and positioning calculations. These maps provide a standardized interface and data structure for storing and accessing beam orientation corrections, transforming complex hardware calibration into a manageable data layer that simplifies the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for calibrating beam orientation errors for improved positioning. For example, certain embodiments may utilize collection of various measurements to compute, and correct for, beam orientation errors. Additionally, or alternatively, certain embodiments may collect information about propagation conditions in a network and may establish virtual anchors for the network.