Inactive UE SRS Configuration for Cross-Base-Station Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing 5G uplink positioning technologies, when user equipment (UE) transitions from an inactive state to another base station, the last serving base station fails to configure sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, leading to the location management function (LMF) device's inability to position the UE.
Innovation Solution
A first access network device sends a retrieve UE context request to a source access network device to obtain reference information for configuring SRS for the UE, which is then used to determine and send SRS configuration information to the UE, even in an inactive state, enabling successful positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the last serving base station is used to configure SRS for UE in inactive state, then the positioning function can be implemented, but when UE moves to a new base station, the last serving base station cannot configure SRS, causing positioning failure
Solution Approach 1:
The new base station acts as an intermediary to retrieve the UE context (including SRS configuration information) from the last serving base station via inter-base station communication. This mediator approach allows the UE to be configured for positioning by the current serving base station even though the UE moved from the original serving base station, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning reliability and mobility adaptability
2Reliability
If SRS configuration information is delivered after UE enters inactive state, then positioning can be performed, but energy consumption increases and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The SRS configuration information is prepared and included in the RRC release message before the UE enters inactive state. This preliminary action ensures that the configuration is already available when needed, eliminating delays and avoiding the need to wake the UE from inactive state to receive configuration, thus reducing both time loss and energy consumption
3Productivity
If SRS configuration information is sent to UE in inactive state, then positioning efficiency is improved, but the base station must maintain connection resources
Solution Approach 1:
The essential SRS configuration information is extracted from the full UE context and transmitted to the UE through the RRC release message. This extraction allows the base station to release most connection resources while maintaining only the minimal necessary information for positioning, thus improving positioning efficiency without requiring sustained high resource consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose communication methods and apparatuses, to position a terminal device by a positioning device. In an implementation, a method comprises: sending, by a first access network device, a retrieve UE context request message to a source access network device, receiving a retrieve UE context response message from the source access network device, wherein the retrieve UE context response message comprises reference information for configuring a sounding reference signal (SRS) of a terminal device in an inactive state, determining SRS configuration information of the terminal device based on the reference information, and sending the SRS configuration information to the terminal device.