Decoupling RATs for Positioning and Signaling in Multi-Connectivity Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-connectivity networks, the inflexibility of locating operations arises from bundling the radio access technology (RAT) for locating with the RAT for transmitting locating messages, limiting the accuracy and operability of terminal location determination.
Innovation Solution
Decoupling the RAT for locating from the RAT for sending locating messages allows the terminal device to use a different RAT for location determination, enabling more flexible and accurate location management by sending locating messages through a signaling connection terminated in a second RAT, even without an RRC connection with the secondary node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal uses the same RAT for both locating and sending locating messages, then the system structure is simple, but the locating operation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the locating function into two independent parts: the RAT used for actual location determination and the RAT used for transmitting locating messages. This allows the terminal to use a first RAT (e.g., NR) for high-precision locating while using a second RAT (e.g., LTE) for message transmission, thereby improving locating operation flexibility without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the terminal can perform locating operations through a first RAT and report the results through a second RAT that has an established RRC connection. This intermediary approach allows the system to leverage the positioning capabilities of one RAT while using another RAT for reliable communication, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and complexity
2Measurement precision
If the terminal uses a different RAT for locating and message transmission, then locating operation flexibility is improved, but the complexity of managing multiple RATs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into two functional segments: one dedicated to high-precision location measurements (using first RAT with appropriate positioning capabilities) and another dedicated to control signaling and message transmission (using second RAT with established RRC connection). This segmentation enables the system to optimize each function independently, improving location accuracy while managing multi-RAT complexity through clear functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal framework where the terminal can selectively use different RAT combinations for locating and message transmission based on network conditions and requirements. The framework is designed to work with any RAT pair, making it universally applicable and reducing the perceived complexity through standardized procedures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal establishes RRC connection with the node for locating, then the locating operation is straightforward, but it cannot locate through nodes without RRC connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the RRC connection on the second RAT as an intermediary channel to carry locating results from the first RAT. This allows the terminal to perform locating operations through nodes without establishing separate RRC connections for each locating node, thereby enabling locating through multiple nodes while maintaining operational simplicity through the intermediary RRC connection
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a positioning method in a multi-connection network, a terminal device, and a positioning management function entity. The positioning method comprises: a terminal device performs positioning by means of a first radio access technology (RAT); the terminal device sends a positioning message of the terminal device to a positioning management function entity by means of a signaling connection that ends in a second RAT. According to the positioning method, the terminal device, and the positioning management function entity of the embodiments of the present application, the flexibility of a positioning operation is improved by decoupling an RAT for positioning and an RAT for sending a positioning message.