Encoding Location Data in Wireless Resource Assignment Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately determining the geographic location of user equipment (UE) in areas where GPS signals are unavailable, such as indoors or in tunnels, leading to unreliable and low-resolution location data.
Innovation Solution
The system encodes location information, including direction of movement, into resource assignment signals, specifically physical resource block assignments, which are transmitted to UE devices, allowing them to determine their geographic location using encoded patterns and additional information like last-known GPS coordinates and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS signals are used for location determination, then location accuracy is improved, but location reliability deteriorates in GPS-denied areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication signals as an intermediary to convey location information. Instead of relying directly on GPS signals that fail in denied areas, the system encodes location data into resource assignment signals (uplink/downlink resource allocations) that can be transmitted through the wireless network infrastructure, providing a backup location determination mechanism that works independently of GPS availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter carrier for location information from GPS satellite signals to wireless communication resource assignment parameters. By encoding location coordinates into resource block assignments and other signaling parameters within the wireless protocol, the system transforms how location data is transmitted and received, enabling location determination through communication infrastructure rather than satellite signals.
2Measurement precision
If resource assignment signals are used to encode location information, then location resolution is improved, but signal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes resource assignment signals serve dual functions: their primary function of allocating wireless resources (uplink/downlink resource blocks) and a secondary function of encoding and conveying location information. By embedding location coordinates within the same signaling structure used for resource management, the system avoids creating separate dedicated location signaling channels, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving high location resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative system includes a network device, of a wireless network, configured to determine location information associated with a user equipment (UE) connected to the wireless network, encode the location information in a resource assignment signal configured to assign a resource of the wireless network for use by the UE, and transmit the resource assignment signal including the encoded location information to the UE. The UE may be configured to receive the transmitted resource assignment signal including the encoded location information, decode the encoded location information, and use the location information for one or more operations of the UE, such as to determine a geographic location of the UE.