Cooperative Terminal Positioning Beyond Network Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies lack effective methods for determining the location of a terminal outside the coverage areas of network side devices such as macro base stations and positioning servers.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for determining location information of a first terminal outside network coverage areas by utilizing positioning assistance data from multiple second terminals within coverage, involving the transmission and calculation of positioning reference signals and assistance parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wireless positioning methods are used, then positioning can be achieved within network coverage areas, but positioning cannot be performed outside coverage areas of network side devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces second terminals as intermediary elements that relay positioning assistance data between the first terminal (outside coverage) and the network side devices (inside coverage). These second terminals act as mediators that enable positioning functionality to extend beyond direct network coverage by forwarding positioning reference signals and assistance data through wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the positioning system into multiple independent terminals (first terminal, second terminals, and network side devices) that can operate semi-autonomously. Each terminal maintains its own positioning capabilities and can independently process positioning reference signals, allowing the system to function in a distributed manner without requiring continuous network coverage for all terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If network side devices are deployed to provide positioning services, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and network infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables terminals to perform positioning measurements and calculations autonomously using positioning reference signals and assistance data. The first terminal can independently calculate its position based on measurements of positioning reference signals from multiple second terminals, without requiring complex network-side positioning processing or centralized positioning servers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4017035B1Position information determination methods, and first terminal and second terminal

Publication Date: 2026.04.22 ZTE CORP

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AI summary

Provided are a location information determination method and device, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The location information determination method includes transmitting positioning request information; receiving positioning assistance data transmitted by a second terminal; calculating a positioning assistance parameter according to the positioning assistance data; and transmitting the positioning assistance parameter or calculating location information of a first terminal according to the positioning assistance parameter.