Downlink Positioning via Single Satellite in Low-Orbit Constellations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 4G/5G RAT dependent positioning methods are difficult to apply in satellite Internet systems, especially in low-orbit constellations, due to the challenge of requiring User Equipment (UE) to be within the effective coverage of multiple satellites for multi-satellite positioning.

Innovation Solution

A downlink positioning method that involves a network device receiving a downlink positioning request message, determining positioning measurement time points, corresponding resource information, and satellite information, and sending this information to a Location Management Function (LMF), which then sends it to a terminal for downlink positioning measurement. This method allows for equivalent multi-TRP positioning using a single satellite by accounting for its moving position over different time points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multi-satellite positioning is implemented in satellite Internet systems, then positioning accuracy is improved, but it becomes difficult to maintain UE within effective coverage of multiple satellites, especially in low-orbit constellations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddifficulty to maintain UE within coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-satellite positioning problem into multiple single-satellite positioning measurements taken at different time points. Instead of requiring simultaneous coverage from multiple satellites, the system performs sequential measurements with a single satellite as it moves through different positions in its orbit, effectively dividing the positioning task across time rather than space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-determining multiple positioning measurement time points and corresponding satellite information before actual positioning. The network device calculates and provides timing information, resource allocation, and satellite ephemeris data in advance, allowing the UE to execute measurements without needing to maintain continuous multi-satellite coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If current 4G/5G RAT dependent positioning methods are applied to satellite Internet systems, then existing positioning infrastructure can be utilized, but the methods are difficult to apply due to satellite mobility and coverage constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereusability of existing positioning methodsVSAvoiddifficulty to apply positioning methods
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal positioning method that functions across both terrestrial 4G/5G networks and satellite Internet systems. By formulating the positioning approach to work with moving satellites using sequential single-satellite measurements, the same methodology can be applied in both stationary base station environments and mobile satellite constellations, achieving multi-functionality across different network types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key parameters from the traditional positioning model: instead of requiring multiple simultaneous TRPs/satellites, it uses a single satellite measured at multiple time points. The patent modifies timing parameters, resource allocation parameters, and satellite ephemeris parameters to accommodate satellite mobility, transforming the static multi-point model into a dynamic single-point temporal model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4568296A1Downlink location method, device, and processor-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4568296A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4568296A1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4568296A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A downlink positioning method, device and processor-readable storage medium are provided, which belong to the field of communication technology. The method comprises: a network device receives a downlink positioning request message sent by an LMF; the network device determines and sends a plurality of positioning measurement time points, information of respective positioning measurement resource corresponding to each of the positioning measurement time points, and satellite information corresponding to each of the positioning measurement resources to the LMF; the LMF sends such information to a terminal, and the terminal performs downlink positioning measurement according to the information.