CSI Report Framework for Positioning in 5G Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks operating at high frequencies like mmW bands, propagation loss and multipath propagation complicate precise positioning measurements due to beamforming techniques, where the beam with the highest received signal strength may not always be optimal for timing-sensitive tasks like positioning, as it can be affected by longer propagation delays.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to use a CSI report framework that configures reference signal resources for positioning measurements outside the current communication bandwidth, allowing for the identification and reporting of beams that provide the shortest path, even if they have lower signal strength, to improve positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If beamforming is used to transmit RF signals in 5G mmW bands, then data transfer speed and signal strength are improved, but positioning measurement accuracy deteriorates due to propagation loss and multipath propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidpositioning measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RF signal transmission into different beam directions using beamforming, allowing the system to transmit signals along multiple paths simultaneously. This segmentation enables the receiver to identify and select the shortest path (line-of-sight) for positioning measurements while maintaining high data transfer speeds through the optimal beam for communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality characteristics to different beams: for positioning measurements, it prioritizes beams with the shortest propagation path (highest local quality for timing accuracy), while for data communication, it selects beams with the highest signal strength. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between communication performance and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the beam with the highest received signal strength is selected for positioning, then signal quality is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to longer propagation delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional selection criterion: instead of selecting the beam with the highest received signal strength for positioning, it selects the beam with the shortest propagation path (earliest time of arrival). This inversion prioritizes timing accuracy over signal strength, directly addressing the contradiction between signal quality and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the signal strength-based selection mechanism with a time-based selection mechanism. By measuring the time of arrival of beams and selecting the earliest arriving beam, the system replaces the conventional signal strength criterion with a timing criterion that directly enables accurate positioning while accounting for propagation delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If reference signal resources are configured within the current communication bandwidth, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning measurement accuracy deteriorates due to inability to identify shortest path beams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration complexityVSAvoidpositioning measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to the reference signal configuration by allowing reference signals to be transmitted outside the current communication bandwidth. This dimensional expansion enables the system to configure reference signals in additional frequency resources, facilitating the identification of shortest path beams while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured configuration approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11510090B2Using channel state information (CSI) report framework to support positioning measurements

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques for using a channel state information (CSI) report framework to support positioning measurements in a wireless network. More particularly, a base station may identify one or more reference signal resources to be transmitted to a user equipment (UE) for obtaining at least one positioning measurement and configure the reference signal resources to be transmitted at least partially outside a current bandwidth that the base station and the UE are using to communicate data and control information. Accordingly, the base station may transmit, to the UE, a CSI report setting that indicates the positioning measurement to be reported and specifies that the positioning measurement is to be obtained from the configured reference signal resources.