Low-Power Reference Signal Configuration for UE Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G networks, face challenges in efficiently utilizing low-power reference signals for positioning and sensing due to high power consumption and inefficient signaling, which hinders the support for large sensor deployments and increased spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a low-power radio in user equipment (UE) to process low-power reference signals, allowing the UE to transmit a capability message to a network entity for configuring and processing these signals with reduced power consumption, thereby facilitating positioning and sensing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the main radio is used to process reference signals, then the processing capability and reliability are improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference signal processing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The radio processing functionality is segmented into two distinct radios: a main radio for high-reliability processing and a low-power radio for energy-efficient processing. This segmentation allows the system to select the appropriate radio based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption by providing specialized processing paths for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects between the main radio and low-power radio based on operational conditions, capability messages, and network configuration. This dynamic adaptation allows the UE to switch between high-reliability mode (main radio) and energy-saving mode (low-power radio), effectively resolving the static contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If traditional reference signals are used for positioning and sensing, then the positioning accuracy is maintained, but the power consumption and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different reference signal processing qualities are applied locally: the main radio processes reference signals with full capability for high-precision positioning, while the low-power radio processes reference signals with reduced capability for energy-efficient operations. This local quality differentiation allows positioning accuracy to be maintained when needed while reducing power consumption during normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by introducing a low-power radio with modified processing characteristics compared to the main radio. The low-power radio processes reference signals with adjusted parameters (reduced power consumption) while the network entity configures appropriate reference signal configurations, enabling a trade-off between positioning accuracy and power consumption based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the main radio processes all reference signals, then the spectral efficiency is maximized, but the power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reference signal processing workload is segmented between two radios with different spectral efficiency characteristics. The main radio handles spectral efficiency-critical operations, while the low-power radio handles operations where spectral efficiency is less critical. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing the spectral efficiency burden across different processing units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The UE is designed with universal reference signal processing capability through multiple radios, where both the main radio and low-power radio can process reference signals but with different efficiency characteristics. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve spectral efficiency when needed while providing power-saving alternatives, resolving the contradiction between maximizing spectral efficiency and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260067808A1Low-power radio reference signal signaling

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A low-power reference signal method includes: receiving, at a network entity from a user equipment (UE), a capability message indicating a capability of the UE to process low-power reference signals using a low-power radio of the UE; and transmitting, from the network entity to the UE, one or more configuration parameters of a low-power reference signal based on the capability message.