Core Network Positioning Correction for 3GPP Uncertainty Scaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The ambiguity in the 3GPP standard regarding 2D and 3D confidence values for uncertainty regions in user equipment positioning leads to incorrect scaling of uncertainty regions, particularly problematic for emergency positioning, as it can invalidate regulatory requirements and hinder search and rescue operations, and cannot be corrected by the Radio Access Network due to lack of UE type information.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a confidence/shape conversion step in the Core Network, utilizing user equipment identification data to correct and adapt positioning information, including a table to differentiate between 2D and 3D confidence reporting, allowing for corrective shape conversions to ensure accurate uncertainty region scaling without modifying terminals or RANs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the standard allows terminal vendors to choose different alternatives for confidence reporting (2D or 3D), then device versatility is improved, but positioning accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to uncertainty in scaling the uncertainty region
Solution Approach 1:
The Core Network acts as an intermediary between the RAN and the positioning function. It receives positioning information from the RAN, identifies the UE type using subscriber data, and correctly scales the uncertainty region based on whether the UE reports 2D or 3D confidence. This mediator function resolves the ambiguity without requiring modifications to terminals or RANs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of confidence level interpretation based on UE type. By identifying whether a UE uses 2D or 3D confidence reporting and applying the appropriate scaling factor (39% for 2D, 20% for 3D), the system adapts the confidence parameter to ensure correct uncertainty region representation regardless of the terminal's reporting method.
2Reliability
If the RAN corrects the reported confidence and rescales the uncertainty region, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to lack of UE type information availability
Solution Approach 1:
The Core Network serves as an intermediary that has access to subscriber information including UE type identification data. This allows the Core Network to perform the complexity-intensive tasks of identifying UE type and correctly scaling uncertainty regions, while the RAN simply forwards the raw positioning information without needing to interpret or correct confidence values.
3Reliability
If uncertainty region size is scaled up to increase confidence, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates as the reported region becomes less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the confidence level parameter based on the UE type and reporting method. By correctly identifying whether 2D or 3D confidence is reported and applying the appropriate scaling, the system maintains the correct relationship between confidence level and uncertainty region size, preventing both over-scaling (which would reduce precision) and under-scaling (which would reduce reliability).
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of improved positioning of user equipments in a telecommunication system comprising at least one user equipment in communication with a core network node via a radio access network node, in response to a user equipment positioning event for said at least one user equipment performing the following steps. Providing S10 user equipment identification data in the core network node for each at least one user equipment, the data comprising at least a parameter indicative of a type for the user equipment, a confidence reporting principle, a geographical reporting format type, and a positioning method, associated with said user equipment type. Providing S20 positioning information in the core network node from the radio access network node based on the positioning event. The positioning information comprising a geographical format representative of the geographic position of the user equipment, and a positioning method applied in at least the radio network node. Subsequently, determining S30 the type of the at least one user equipment, from information signaled to the core network node. Finally, correcting/adapting S40 the provided positioning information based on the provided user equipment identification data, a predetermined desired output geographical format, the determined user equipment type and the applied positioning method, whereby an improved positioning for the user equipment is enabled in the core network node.