Low Latency Location Reporting in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location solutions for wireless networks suffer from high latency, with most solutions taking 5 to 10 seconds or more to provide location information, which is inadequate for applications requiring low latency, such as smart factories, drones, and public safety responses, where accuracy and speed are critical.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using control plane signaling for initial location requests and user plane signaling for reporting, with a controlling entity within the Radio Access Network (RAN) to minimize delay, and the ability to change or reconfigure location measurements when the user equipment (UE) moves to a new serving cell or base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If current location solutions are used in wireless networks, then location information can be provided, but the latency is high (5 to 10 seconds or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The location determination process is segmented into control plane signaling for initial requests and user plane signaling for reporting. This separation allows the control plane to handle setup and configuration while the user plane handles time-critical location data transmission, reducing overall latency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing control plane signaling paths and configuring measurement parameters before actual location determination is needed. This pre-configuration enables faster response when location requests are made, as the infrastructure is already prepared
2Measurement precision
If location accuracy is improved for moving objects, then location precision increases, but the latency requirement becomes more stringent (less than 1 second)
Solution Approach 1:
A controlling entity is introduced as an intermediary between the network and external clients for location determination. This entity optimizes the balance between accuracy and latency by selecting appropriate measurement methods and reporting frequencies based on UE mobility patterns and application requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts location measurement and reporting parameters based on UE mobility state. For high-speed moving objects, more frequent measurements are performed with optimized intervals to maintain accuracy while minimizing latency, adapting to changing conditions in real-time
3Device complexity
If control plane signaling is used for all location reports, then signaling is simple, but delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling path is segmented into control plane for initial requests and configuration, and user plane for actual location report transmission. This segmentation leverages the reliability of control plane for setup while utilizing the lower-latency user plane for time-critical data delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates parallel signaling paths by copying the location report function to use user plane signaling alongside control plane signaling. This allows location data to be transmitted through the faster user plane while control plane handles management functions
4Loss of time
If the controlling entity is moved to the Radio Access Network (RAN), then delay is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlling entity is moved from the core network dimension to the radio access network dimension, placing it closer to the user equipment. This spatial repositioning reduces the physical and logical distance for signal transmission, thereby reducing delay despite increased RAN complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and techniques are described for reducing end-to-end latency in a location determination of a user equipment (UE). Location requests from an external client for a UE may be supported using control plane signaling and may be performed only once or infrequently. Location reports to the external client may be supported with user plane signaling to minimize delay. A controlling entity for location of the UE may be part of a Radio Access Network (RAN) to further reduce delay and may be changed to a new controlling entity in the RAN and/or may reconfigure location measurements for the UE when the UE moves to a new serving cell or new serving base station.