Irregular Positioning Signal Distribution for Joint Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current positioning reference signals in mobile communication systems have a regular periodic pattern, which leads to ambiguities in range estimation due to 'sensing ghosts' and is not fully compatible with network sensing applications, limiting the accuracy and effectiveness of joint sensing and positioning.

Innovation Solution

Organizing resource elements into groups with n OFDM symbols and n subcarriers, where n resource elements contain positioning signals, and varying the frequency distance between them within each OFDM symbol to create an irregular distribution, allowing for joint positioning and sensing without ambiguities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If positioning reference signals are organised with a regular periodic pattern, then the structure is simple and easy to implement, but ambiguities in range estimation occur due to sensing ghosts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implementationVSAvoidrange estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by transitioning from a regular periodic pattern to an irregular distribution pattern for positioning reference signals. Specifically, within each OFDM symbol, the frequency distance between consecutive resource elements containing positioning signals is made non-constant, creating an asymmetric and irregular pattern that eliminates sensing ghosts while maintaining systematic organization through grouped resource elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Measurement precision

If resource elements are organised into groups with irregular distribution, then range estimation accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing resource elements into distinct groups, where each group contains a specific number of OFDM symbols and subcarriers. Within each group, a determined number of resource elements are allocated for positioning signals with irregular distribution. This segmented approach allows the system to manage complexity through modular organization while achieving irregular patterns that eliminate sensing ghosts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If an irregular distribution of positioning signals is implemented, then joint sensing and positioning accuracy is improved, but signalling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint sensing and positioning accuracyVSAvoidsignalling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a resource element organization structure that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The same irregularly distributed positioning reference signals are used for both positioning purposes (by user equipment) and sensing purposes (by network nodes), eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensing signals. This multi-functional approach reduces overall signalling overhead while maintaining accuracy for both joint sensing and positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4346148A1Joint sensing and positioning in telecommunication systems
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4346148A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4346148A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4346148A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer program is described comprising organising a plurality of resource elements of a mobile communication system into a plurality of groups, wherein each resource element is identified by an OFDM symbol in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain. Each group of resource elements comprises n OFDM symbols and n subcarriers; n resource elements in each group contain positioning signals; and within each OFDM symbol, a frequency distance between consecutive resource elements containing positioning signals is not constant, such that an irregular distribution of positioning signal containing resource elements is provided.