Downlink Beam Shape Assistance for Accurate AoD UE Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G, face challenges in accurately determining the location of user equipment (UE) due to inefficiencies in beam shaping and signal measurement, which affect spectral efficiency and latency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of beam shape assistance information using basis functions or quantized beam shapes for downlink transmit beams, enabling precise signal strength measurements and location determination based on positioning reference signal resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional beam measurement methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of UE location deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE location estimation accuracyVSAvoidbeam shape assistance information processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces basis functions as an intermediary representation between the actual beam shapes and the positioning system. Instead of directly processing complex beam shape data, the system uses basis functions to represent beam shapes in a simplified mathematical form, enabling accurate location estimation while reducing processing complexity. The basis functions act as a mediator that transforms the raw beam measurement data into a form that is both informative and computationally efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the beam shape representation from raw signal data to a parameterized form using basis functions. By changing the representation parameters from complex beam profiles to coefficients of basis functions, the system achieves both compression of information and improved measurement precision for location estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If detailed beam shape information is transmitted, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to additional signaling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal strength measurement accuracyVSAvoidsignaling latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information from complete beam shape data by representing beams using a limited set of basis functions. Instead of transmitting full beam shape profiles, the system extracts and transmits only the necessary coefficients that capture the critical characteristics needed for accurate positioning, thereby reducing signaling overhead and latency while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a partial representation of beam shapes through basis functions rather than complete beam profiles. This partial action provides sufficient information for accurate location estimation without the overhead of transmitting exhaustive beam shape data, achieving an optimal balance between precision and signaling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If basis function representation is used, then spectral efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidbasis function processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex signal processing operations with mathematical operations on basis function coefficients. By substituting direct beam shape analysis with algebraic manipulation of coefficients, the system achieves spectral efficiency improvements through more compact data representation while the computational complexity is managed through efficient mathematical algorithms rather than brute-force signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12476687B2Basis function based beam shape assistance for downlink angle of departure positioning

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques for wireless communication. In an aspect, a positioning entity receives a beam report from a network entity, the beam report including beam shape assistance information for one or more downlink transmit beams of a base station, the one or more downlink transmit beams corresponding to positioning reference signal resources to be measured by a user equipment (UE), the beam shape assistance information indicating at least one basis function representing a beam shape of each of the one or more downlink transmit beams or a quantization of a reduced portion of each of the one or more downlink transmit beams, and determines a location of the UE based at least on signal strength measurements of the positioning reference signal resources and the beam shape assistance information.