GNSS Measurement Gaps for NTN Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in supporting GNSS measurements during RRC connected mode in wireless devices, particularly in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), where simultaneous GNSS and cellular operation is not always feasible.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves configuring wireless devices with specific GNSS measurement gap configurations, allowing them to perform GNSS measurements during designated transmission gaps or measurement gaps, even in RRC connected state. This configuration is based on the device's measurement capability information and includes settings for trigger events, gap length, periodicity, and offset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless devices perform GNSS measurements during RRC connected mode in NTN, then continuous time and frequency corrections are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring duplex filters for simultaneous GNSS and cellular operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the operation into distinct phases by introducing measurement gaps. During these gaps, the wireless device performs GNSS measurements separately from cellular operations, rather than attempting simultaneous operation. This segmentation allows the same hardware to be used sequentially for both GNSS and cellular functions, eliminating the need for duplex filters while maintaining continuous correction capability through periodic measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic GNSS measurements during configured measurement gaps rather than continuous simultaneous operation. The network configures periodic measurement opportunities where the device switches to GNSS reception, performs measurements, then returns to cellular operation. This periodic approach achieves the necessary time and frequency corrections without requiring complex simultaneous reception hardware.
2Measurement precision
If wireless devices perform GNSS measurements during RRC connected mode in NTN, then accurate timing and frequency synchronization are maintained, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential conflicts between GNSS and cellular operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network configure measurement gaps in advance based on the device's GNSS measurement capability information. The network node determines appropriate gap patterns before the device attempts measurements, ensuring that measurement opportunities are pre-planned and do not conflict with scheduled cellular transmissions or receptions. This preliminary configuration maintains both measurement precision and communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the device reports its GNSS measurement capability information to the network, and the network responds by configuring appropriate measurement gap patterns. The network can adjust the measurement gap configuration based on device capabilities and network conditions, creating a feedback loop that optimizes both measurement accuracy and communication reliability dynamically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If measurement gap configurations are implemented for GNSS measurements, then GNSS measurement capability is utilized in RRC connected state, but transmission efficiency decreases due to scheduled transmission gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement gap configuration adaptable to device capabilities and network conditions. The network node determines measurement gap patterns dynamically based on the specific device's GNSS measurement capability information, rather than using fixed gap patterns for all devices. This allows optimization of gap duration and frequency to minimize impact on transmission efficiency while enabling GNSS measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters such as measurement gap duration, periodicity, and offset based on device capability information and network requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the system can minimize the time lost to measurement gaps while still achieving necessary GNSS measurements, thereby reducing the impact on transmission efficiency while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a network node for communicating with a wireless device is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to receive measurement capability information of a wireless device where the measurement capability information indicates an ability to perform a global navigation satellite system, GNSS, measurement. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine a GNSS measurement gap configuration during which the wireless device is to perform at least one GNSS measurement during at least one GNSS measurement gap where the GNSS measurement gap configuration is based at least in part on the received measurement capability information, and indicate the GNSS measurement gap configuration to the wireless device.