Intelligent Reflecting Surface Path-Difference Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle estimation technologies in new radio communication systems with intelligent reflecting surfaces suffer from low precision due to large positioning deviations caused by small AoA measurement errors, especially when the network device and terminal device are far apart.
Innovation Solution
The terminal device or network device determines a path difference between antenna elements of an intelligent reflecting surface based on channel measurements, using multiple reflections to calculate angles and orientations with high precision, and adjusts phases in each reflection process to enhance positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing angle estimation technology is used with intelligent reflecting surface, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to large positioning deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a path difference measurement mechanism as an intermediary approach. Instead of directly measuring AoA at the intelligent reflecting surface (which would require complex signal processing), the system measures the path difference between signals reflected from different antenna elements. This intermediate measurement quantity can be obtained with simpler operations and then converted to orientation information, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from angle of arrival (AoA) to path difference. By measuring the path difference between signals reflected from different antenna elements of the intelligent reflecting surface, the system avoids the precision loss inherent in direct AoA measurement. This parameter transformation enables high-precision orientation measurement while keeping the intelligent reflecting surface structure simple and passive.
2Measurement precision
If multiple reflections by antenna element set are used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but pilot signal overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs partial action by using only two reflections from the antenna element set for path difference measurement. This selective approach achieves sufficient positioning accuracy without requiring exhaustive multi-reflection measurements, thereby controlling pilot signal overhead while maintaining adequate positioning precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables high-precision measurement of the terminal device's orientation and improves positioning accuracy with low pilot signal overheads, ensuring the channel between the device and reflecting surface satisfies a far-field radiation model.
Implementation Method 1
at least two reflections by an antenna element set of an intelligent reflecting surface for a first signal sent by a network device
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and a communication apparatus are provided. The method includes: a terminal device obtains a channel measurement result, wherein the channel measurement result is obtained by the terminal device based on at least two reflections by an antenna element set of an intelligent reflecting surface for a first signal sent by a network device, the first signal is a signal for channel measurement, and the antenna element set includes at least two antenna elements; and the terminal device determines a path difference between the antenna elements of the intelligent reflecting surface based on the channel measurement result.