Inactive-State PRS Measurement With Reduced Samples for UE Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in performing accurate positioning measurements for user equipment (UE) in radio resource control (RRC) inactive or idle states due to limitations in SRS availability and measurement sample requirements.

Innovation Solution

The UE is configured to transmit a semi-persistent SRS and perform PRS measurements with a reduced number of samples in RRC inactive or idle states, utilizing MAC control elements for activation and considering UE capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the UE performs PRS measurements with a reduced number of samples in RRC inactive state, then the power consumption is reduced and measurement latency is decreased, but the measurement precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpositioning measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing PRS measurements with a reduced number of samples (less than the full required samples for connected state) specifically for inactive state UEs. This allows the UE to obtain sufficient positioning information with fewer measurements, thereby reducing power consumption and latency while maintaining acceptable measurement precision for the inactive state use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter (number of samples) based on the UE state. For inactive state UEs, the system configures a reduced number of PRS measurement samples compared to connected state measurements. This parameter adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between measurement precision and power consumption according to the specific operational requirements of inactive state positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the UE performs PRS measurements with a reduced number of samples, then the measurement time is reduced, but the reliability of positioning may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement latencyVSAvoidpositioning reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial measurements by using a reduced number of PRS samples specifically for inactive state UEs. This partial action is sufficient to achieve the positioning reliability required for the inactive state use case while significantly reducing measurement time and latency compared to full connected state measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The network configures the reduced number of measurement samples in advance through RRC configuration before the actual measurement takes place. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the inactive state UE needs to perform positioning, it can do so quickly with the pre-determined reduced sample set, minimizing latency while maintaining reliability thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE transmits SRS for positioning measurements in RRC inactive state, then positioning capability is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capability in inactive stateVSAvoidmeasurement configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the UE to perform positioning measurements while in inactive state by utilizing the existing RRC configuration framework and MAC CE mechanisms already present in the system. The UE can transmit SRS and perform PRS measurements using the same basic infrastructure as connected state, thereby enabling positioning capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The inactive state UE autonomously transmits SRS signals and performs PRS measurements based on its own capability information and the network configuration. The UE self-determines when and how to perform measurements based on the configured parameters, reducing the need for complex network-controlled measurement coordination and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250379702A1UE configured to perform positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements in RRC_inactive state with a reduced number of samples

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Various embodiments herein provide techniques for positioning measurements in a wireless cellular network when a user equipment (UE) is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state or a RRC idle state. For example, the UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning measurements while the UE is in the RRC inactive state or RRC idle state. The SRS may be a semi-persistent SRS and may be transmitted after an activation delay from receipt of a message (e.g., medium access control (MAC) control element (CE)) that activates the SRS. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE may perform a positioning reference signal (PRS) measurement while in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state. The PRS measurement may have a reduced number of measurement samples. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.