Distributed Location Management Function for 5G Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location management systems in mobile networks face inefficiencies and inaccuracies in determining the position of user equipment (UE), particularly in situations where traditional network node processing is not optimal for accuracy or efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A distributed location management function (LMFd) is introduced, where a network node determines whether to perform positioning procedures locally or remotely based on reachability information and quality of service (QoS), and if remotely, it processes location service requests through a distributed location management function (LMFd) to improve accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location services are performed at the traditional network node, then the system structure is simple, but the positioning accuracy and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The location management function is segmented into two parts: a centralized location management function (LMFc) that handles request routing and a distributed location management function (LMFd) that performs actual positioning calculations. This segmentation allows positioning operations to be distributed closer to the radio access network, improving accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The LMFc acts as an intermediary between the location service requester and the LMFd. It receives location service requests, determines whether remote processing is needed, and if so, forwards requests to appropriate LMFd instances. This intermediary approach enables complex distributed processing without requiring end systems to directly manage the complexity.
2Productivity
If location services are performed remotely at LMFd, then positioning accuracy improves, but processing overhead and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines whether to perform positioning locally at LMFc or remotely at LMFd based on reachability information and service requirements. This dynamic decision-making allows the system to optimize processing efficiency for each location service request while adapting network complexity only when remote processing is actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of location service processing from always-local to conditionally-remote based on reachability information. When UE reachability indicates the device is accessible and conditions are favorable, the system switches to remote processing at LMFd, improving efficiency without permanently increasing network complexity.
3Reliability
If reachability information is checked before positioning, then resource utilization improves, but additional signaling overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary reachability checking before initiating full positioning procedures. By checking UE reachability in advance through the AMF, the system ensures that positioning resources are only activated when the UE is actually accessible, improving resource utilization while minimizing unnecessary signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a network node comprising a processor that executes instructions to receive a location service request for a user equipment (UE); transmit a reachability request for the UE to an access and mobility management function (AMF); receive a reachability response comprising reachability information of the UE from the AMF; determine whether to perform positioning procedures related to the location service request locally or to perform positioning procedures related to the location service request remotely based, in part, on the reachability information; based on a determination to perform the positioning procedures remotely, determine a distributed location management function (LMFd) to process the location service request based, at least in part, on the reachability information; transmit the location service request to the LMFd; receive a location service result from the LMFd; and transmit, responsive to the location service request, a UE position estimate determined based on the location service result.