Idle-State Uplink Positioning for Low-Overhead UE Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location solutions for user equipment (UE) in wireless networks, particularly for IoT devices, are resource-intensive and battery-draining due to frequent signaling connections, authentication, and location measurements, especially when tracking devices at short intervals.
Innovation Solution
A method where the UE enters an idle state and transmits uplink positioning signals (UPS) encoding UE ID and location measurements during shared positioning occasions, reducing the need for downlink measurements and real-time authentication, with location computation performed in batch mode by a location server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location solutions are used for UE tracking, then location accuracy is maintained, but network resource consumption and battery usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic location tracking where the UE transmits positioning signals at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. The location server periodically requests location information and the UE enters idle state between transmissions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining acceptable location accuracy for tracking purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and processes only essential location information (uplink positioning signals) rather than requiring full signaling connections and comprehensive authentication procedures. By isolating the critical positioning function from the complete traditional location protocol stack, the system reduces overhead and energy usage while preserving location accuracy
2Measurement precision
If frequent location measurements are performed, then location tracking precision improves, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs location measurements at periodic intervals rather than continuously, reducing the total number of signaling events. The location server sends periodic location requests and the UE responds with positioning signals at predetermined times, maintaining tracking precision while reducing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The UE prepares and transmits uplink positioning signals that encode location information in advance during idle state transitions. By pre-positioning the UE in an idle state with positioning capabilities ready, the system reduces the need for extensive real-time signaling when location updates are required
3Reliability
If real-time authentication and ciphering are performed for each location update, then security is maintained, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication and ciphering procedures are performed in advance when the UE transitions to idle state, before location measurements are taken. The location server authenticates the UE and establishes ciphering keys beforehand, so that subsequent location updates can proceed with reduced authentication overhead while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
Authentication is performed periodically at the start of location tracking sessions rather than with every single location update. The location server re-authenticates the UE at predetermined intervals, reducing the frequency of authentication operations while maintaining security for the duration of each tracking session
Data Source
AI summary
Uplink high efficiency location of a user equipment (UE) includes initiating periodic or triggered location in the UE by a location server (LS) in a wireless network. The UE enters an idle state and monitors for triggering events. After detecting an event, the UE transmits an uplink positioning signal (UPS) to a base station, where the UPS encodes UPS data comprising a UE ID, an ID for the LS, an authentication code (AC) and location measurements. UPS transmission occurs in an uplink positioning occasion shared with other UEs. The location measurements may be ciphered but other UPS data is unciphered. The base station obtains additional location measurements and transfers the UPS data and the location measurements to the LS. The LS authenticates the UE ID using the AC, determines the UE location using the location measurements and transfers the location to an external client.