Low-Complexity Terminal Positioning via On-Demand SIB Assistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting low complexity devices with low power consumption, particularly in providing positioning assistance information to devices like IoT and MTC devices, which require continuous tracking with low power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of on-demand system information transmission via predetermined system information blocks, allowing low complexity devices to receive positioning assistance information in idle or inactive modes without transitioning to connected mode, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If low complexity devices transition to connected mode to receive positioning assistance information, then positioning accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the device's operational state based on positioning requirements. Devices can switch between idle mode (for power saving) and connected mode (for accurate positioning) as needed, optimizing the balance between power consumption and positioning accuracy in real-time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Positioning assistance information is provided in advance through system information blocks before the device needs to perform positioning. This allows devices to prepare positioning data beforehand, reducing the need for frequent mode transitions and associated power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If low complexity devices operate continuously in connected mode for positioning, then positioning service reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning service reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous operation, the system implements periodic positioning updates where devices transition to connected mode only when positioning information needs to be refreshed. This maintains positioning service reliability while reducing the time devices spend in high-power connected mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Devices autonomously determine when positioning assistance is needed and independently manage their own mode transitions between idle and connected states, reducing the need for complex network-controlled power management while maintaining reliable positioning service

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3704513B1Terminal device, infrastructure equipment and methods
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3704513B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3704513B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3704513B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal device for use in a wireless telecommunications network, the terminal device comprising: first receiver circuitry configured to receive a first signal from each of one or more signal emitting devices located at respective spatial positions; transmitter circuitry configured to transmit a second signal to infrastructure equipment of the wireless telecommunications network; second receiver circuitry configured to receive a third signal from the infrastructure equipment, the third signal being transmitted by the infrastructure equipment in response to the infrastructure equipment receiving the second signal, the third signal being for determining, in combination with the first signal received from each of the one or more signal emitting devices, the spatial position of the terminal device, and the third signal being comprised within a predetermined system information block (SIB); and control circuitry configured to determine a spatial position of the terminal device based on the received first and third signals.