Geolocation Delay Processing for 5G DU-RU Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current geolocation techniques are inaccurate due to the increasing distance between Digital Units (DUs) and Radio Units (RUs) in 5G networks, causing significant variations in signal transmission travel times that affect the precision of user terminal positioning.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a first signal is transmitted between a network entity and a user terminal through a radio unit to measure travel time, and a second signal is transmitted between the network entity and the radio unit to ensure similar transmission conditions, reducing differences in travel times by making the values of transmission conditions dependent on each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between Digital Units (DUs) and Radio Units (RUs) is increased to improve network flexibility and deployment options, then network adaptability is improved, but the transmission travel time variation between DU and RU increases, causing geolocation measurement precision to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator entity that coordinates the transmission of reference signals between DU and RU. This mediator ensures that reference signals for geolocation measurements are transmitted with consistent timing and conditions, compensating for the increased physical distance and variable transmission conditions between separated DU and RU components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies transmission parameters such as timing advance values and reference signal transmission timing based on the actual distance and conditions between DU and RU. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains accurate geolocation measurements despite increased separation distances between network components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reference signals are transmitted through multiple network components (DU and RU) that are far apart, then network deployment flexibility is improved, but the transmission travel time becomes significant and non-negligible, causing geolocation accuracy to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary measurement of the transmission travel time between DU and RU before actual geolocation measurements. This pre-measured timing information is then used to compensate for the known transmission delay, allowing the system to maintain accurate geolocation calculations despite the significant time loss introduced by distant component separation.
3Device complexity
If DU and RU functions are separated and placed far apart to improve network architecture flexibility, then device complexity is reduced at each location, but the transmission condition variations increase, causing measurement reliability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where transmission condition information is continuously monitored and communicated between DU and RU. This feedback allows both components to adjust their operations to maintain consistent transmission conditions, ensuring reliable geolocation measurements even when physical separation increases device complexity distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting signals used to estimate the position of a user terminal. The method includes: transmitting a first signal between a network entity and the user terminal by traveling through a radio unit, the first signal being intended to enable a measurement relating to a transmission travel time between the network entity and the user terminal via the radio unit; and transmitting a second signal between the network entity and the radio unit, the second signal being intended to enable a measurement of a transmission travel time between the network entity and the radio unit; wherein at least one value of a transmission condition of the second signal, termed the second value, is dependent on a value of a transmission condition of the first signal, termed the first value.