False Base Station Detection via UE Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately detecting outlier cells, which can lead to false base station detection and subsequent connectivity issues, due to the lack of effective positioning methods for user equipment (UE) in 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for detecting outlier cells based on the positioning of UE, utilizing multiple cells and reference signals to determine accurate location estimates, and comparing these with assistance information and side information to identify potential false base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional base station detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and detection reliability deteriorate due to inability to accurately identify false base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces positioning information as an intermediary element to detect false base stations. The UE obtains positioning information from multiple source cells, compares it with assistance information containing expected positioning data, and identifies discrepancies that indicate false base stations. This intermediary approach enables accurate detection without requiring complex direct verification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes positioning functionality, originally designed for location estimation, to serve a dual purpose: determining UE position and detecting false base stations. By comparing positioning information from multiple cells with expected assistance information, the system achieves both positioning and security functions using the same measurement infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If positioning techniques are implemented for false base station detection, then detection reliability improves, but use of energy increases due to additional measurements and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes positioning measurements serve dual purposes: determining UE location and detecting false base stations. The same positioning information collected for location estimation is also used for security detection by comparing with assistance information. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated detection measurements, reducing energy consumption while maintaining high detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the UE's own positioning measurements and comparisons to autonomously detect false base stations. The UE independently obtains positioning information from multiple cells, compares it with stored assistance information, and identifies false base stations without requiring continuous network verification. This self-service approach reduces energy consumption compared to network-initiated verification methods.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cells are used for positioning to improve accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses positioning measurements from multiple cells simultaneously for both location determination and false base station detection. The same set of measurements serves dual purposes, and the comparison with assistance information is performed as part of the existing positioning processing flow. This avoids the need for separate verification measurements, managing processing complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures assistance information containing expected positioning data for multiple cells before the UE performs measurements. This preliminary preparation allows the UE to efficiently compare actual positioning information with expected values during normal operation, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining accurate detection capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for detecting outlier cells based on positioning of a user equipment (UE). In an aspect, the UE or a location server determines a plurality of cells detectable by the UE, calculates a plurality of location estimates for the UE based on positioning measurements of a corresponding plurality of subsets of the plurality of cells, identifies a subset of cells that provides a best location estimate for the UE, wherein the best location estimate maximizes a set of inlier cells, calculates a final location estimate for the UE based on positioning measurements of the subset of cells and the set of inlier cells, identifies any remaining cells of the plurality of cells other than the subset of cells and the set of inlier cells as at least one outlier cell, and performs a mitigation operation based on identifying the at least one outlier cell.