Joint UE Ranging With Anchor UEs for Non-Line-of-Sight Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of user equipment, particularly in non-line-of-sight scenarios, and there is a need for improved positioning accuracy and methods to support the large number of connections and reduced latency required by 5G networks.
Innovation Solution
A first user equipment (UE) transmits a capability indication to serve as an anchor UE for joint network entity/UE ranging, provides its location, and indicates the line of sight or proximity of a second UE, transmitting positioning reference signals to assist in joint NE/UE-and-UE ranging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional positioning methods are used in wireless communication systems, then the system can operate with existing infrastructure, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in non-line-of-sight scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary UE (user equipment) that acts as a mediator between the target UE and the network entity for positioning purposes. The intermediary UE relays positioning reference signals and measurement information when the target UE is in non-line-of-sight conditions, enabling accurate positioning by transferring measurement data through the intermediary device that has direct line-of-sight access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested positioning architecture where UE-to-UE ranging measurements are nested within the overall NE/UE joint ranging framework. The intermediary UE performs local measurements and nests this information within broader network-coordinated positioning procedures, allowing multi-layered positioning information aggregation to improve accuracy in challenging environments.
2Quantity of substance
If 5G networks support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections, then network capacity increases, but system complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to perform self-positioning by autonomously measuring positioning reference signals from multiple network entities and calculating their own location. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex network-side positioning computation and signaling overhead, allowing the network to scale to hundreds of thousands of connections without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements selective positioning where not all UEs require full network-coordinated positioning at all times. Instead, positioning is activated partially or on-demand based on service requirements, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining capacity for large numbers of connections. The network can switch between full positioning mode and reduced signaling mode as needed.
3Speed
If 5G networks reduce latency for high-speed data transfer, then data transfer speed improves, but positioning measurement time may be reduced affecting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs positioning reference signal measurements and UE location determination in advance before high-speed data transfer begins. By completing positioning measurements preliminarily, the system establishes accurate location information that can be used during rapid data transfer operations without requiring continuous measurements that would introduce latency and reduce overall system speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous positioning capability through periodic updates and persistent measurement processes that run concurrently with data transfer operations. This continuity ensures that positioning accuracy is maintained over time without interrupting high-speed data transfer, as the positioning system operates continuously in the background to track UE location changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assisting joint network entity/user equipment and user equipment/user equipment (NE/UE-and-UE/UE) ranging includes: transmitting, from a first UE to a network entity, a capability indication that indicates a capability of the first UE to serve as an anchor UE for joint NE/UE-and-UE/UE ranging; obtaining, at the first UE, a location of the first UE; transmitting, from the first UE, the location of the first UE; transmitting, from the first UE to the network entity, at least one indication that a second UE is in a line of sight of the first UE or that the second UE is in close proximity to the first UE; and transmitting, from the first UE, at least one of a first positioning reference signal to the second UE, or a measurement report indicating a measurement of a second positioning reference signal received by the first UE from the second UE.