Beamformed Positioning Reference Signals for High-Frequency Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In beamformed communications systems, particularly at high frequencies like mmWave, determining the position of devices is challenging due to signal blocking and increased path loss, leading to erroneous positioning results and the need for a scheme that can overcome these issues to achieve precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
The system employs beamformed positioning reference signals (BF-PRSs) transmitted by multiple transmitting devices, allowing receiving devices to make observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurements and provide feedback, which includes beam identifiers and signal strengths, to determine device location using a transmit-receive point almanac (TRP-A) that stores angular and position information of transmitting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional positioning techniques (TDOA, OTDOA, GNSS, E-CID) are used in beamformed communications systems, then positioning can be performed, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to signal blocking and increased path loss at high frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning measurement process by having the receiving device select specific communications beams from multiple transmitting devices based on selection criteria. Instead of using all available beams, the device identifies and measures only those beams that provide reliable positioning information, thereby segmenting the measurement space to avoid blocked or degraded signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by introducing beam-specific selection criteria that evaluate signal quality, beam identifiers, and OTDOA measurement values. The receiving device adjusts which beams are measured based on these parameters, selecting beams that meet minimum thresholds for reliability while excluding those affected by blocking or excessive path loss.
2Reliability
If beamformed positioning reference signals are transmitted on multiple communications beams, then positioning reliability improves by distinguishing LOS and NLOS paths, but device complexity increases due to beam selection and measurement processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the receiving device measure only a selected subset of communications beams rather than all available beams. The device uses selection criteria to identify the most relevant beams for positioning, performing measurements on only those beams that are likely to provide accurate positioning information while ignoring others.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving device performs self-service by autonomously selecting which communications beams to measure based on pre-configured selection criteria. The device independently evaluates beam identifiers, signal qualities, and geometric relationships without requiring network coordination for each measurement decision, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the receiving device measures all communications beams from all transmitting devices, then positioning precision improves, but the number of measurements and processing requirements increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing beam selection criteria before the actual positioning measurement process. The receiving device pre-configures selection rules based on beam identifiers, expected signal qualities, and geometric relationships with transmitting devices. This preliminary setup enables the device to quickly filter and select appropriate beams during positioning without exhaustive measurement of all available beams.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for receiving device position determination includes receiving beamformed position reference signals (BF-PRSs) on a plurality of communications beams from at least two transmitting devices in accordance with a BF-PRS configuration, making at least one observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement in accordance with the BF-PRSs on the plurality of communications beams, and transmitting OTDOA feedback including the at least one OTDOA measurement.