Cross-Sector Channel Profiling for UE Positioning Near Sector Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless positioning technologies face challenges in accurately determining the location of user equipment near sector edges due to insufficient joint processing of channel information from multiple sectors, leading to increased report overhead and reduced positioning accuracy.

Innovation Solution

Jointly process channel information from multiple sectors at the base station, generating a cross-sector time-angle channel profile, and transmitting this profile to a location server for improved positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If per-sector positioning features are supported at the gNB level, then positioning capability and flexibility are improved, but network complexity and deployment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments positioning feature support from gNB-level to sector-level granularity. Each sector within a gNB can independently support or not support positioning features, allowing selective deployment. This is achieved through sector-specific positioning feature indication fields in signaling messages, enabling fine-grained control over positioning capability distribution across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate signaling mechanisms (positioning feature indication fields in RRC messages and downlink positioning reference signal configurations) that mediate between gNB-level positioning capability and sector-level positioning execution. These intermediaries enable precise control of positioning features at the sector level while maintaining gNB-level coordination, thus reducing overall network complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If positioning features are deployed across multiple sectors, then positioning coverage is improved, but deployment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning coverageVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic configuration of positioning features across different sectors. Each sector can independently enable or disable positioning features based on deployment requirements, traffic conditions, and coverage needs. This dynamic control is achieved through sector-specific indication fields that allow flexible activation/deactivation of positioning functionality without requiring uniform deployment across all sectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows different sectors to have different positioning feature configurations tailored to local requirements. Each sector can be configured with appropriate positioning reference signals and features based on its specific coverage area, interference conditions, and deployment scenario. This local optimization simplifies deployment by allowing targeted positioning feature rollout rather than network-wide uniform configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If per-sector positioning control is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial positioning control at the sector level rather than full per-sector configuration. Sector-level indication fields provide coarse-grained control over positioning feature activation, reducing signaling overhead compared to fully detailed per-sector configuration. This partial action approach maintains positioning accuracy by enabling sector-level selection of positioning features while avoiding the overhead of configuring every parameter at the sector level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4302534B1Distributed unit-central unit-server signaling of per-sector features for positioning
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4302534B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4302534B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4302534B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method of wireless communication by a base station, jointly processes channel information associated with a user equipment, UE, in order to generate a jointly processed report. The channel information is collected from collocated transmit and receive points, TRPs (604, t1, t2, t3), of the base station. The base station transmits (t5) the jointly processed (t4) report to a location server (112).