Cellular Positioning Accuracy Forecast for Future Terminal Locations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to provide accurate positioning information for potential future positions of terminals, particularly in environments where satellite coverage is absent, leading to suboptimal route planning and operational inefficiencies in autonomous vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides positioning accuracy information for potential future positions of terminals by integrating sector-based positioning accuracy data collection and distribution within cellular networks, allowing terminals to request and receive updates on expected accuracy levels and methods for future locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If satellite-based positioning is used for terminals, then positioning accuracy is improved in open environments, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in environments without satellite coverage such as indoor areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning availability across different environments
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning system into multiple independent positioning methods (satellite-based positioning and cellular network-based positioning) that can operate independently or in combination. The network determines positioning accuracy separately for each method and provides this segmented information to the terminal, allowing the terminal to adaptively select or combine methods based on environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter being provided from raw positioning coordinates to positioning accuracy information. By providing accuracy metrics rather than just position data, the system enables terminals to make informed decisions about route planning and positioning method selection based on expected accuracy levels in different environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If terminals use satellite positioning without knowing future accuracy levels, then device complexity is reduced, but route planning quality deteriorates due to lack of predictive information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal system complexityVSAvoidpredictive positioning accuracy information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary calculation and determination of positioning accuracy for potential future positions along a route before the terminal actually reaches those positions. This advance provision of accuracy information allows the terminal to perform better route planning without increasing its own computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cellular network acts as an intermediary that calculates and provides positioning accuracy information between the positioning infrastructure and the terminal. This intermediary role allows the terminal to benefit from accurate predictive information without needing to implement complex calculation algorithms itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If the network provides detailed positioning accuracy information for all potential future positions, then route planning quality is improved, but network signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy information completenessVSAvoidnetwork signaling energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing positioning accuracy information selectively for specific locations along the route rather than uniformly for all potential positions. The network determines and provides accuracy information for positions that are relevant to the terminal's route planning needs, optimizing the balance between information completeness and signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4038910B1Apparatus, method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4038910B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038910B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038910B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive (600) an indication indicating that positioning accuracy information associated with at least one potential future position of a terminal is to be provided to; and provide (604) the positioning accuracy information associated with the at least one potential future position of the terminal.