Low-Power UE Positioning with RF-Domain Signal Alteration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positioning procedures for user equipment (UE) require baseband signal processing, which is power-hungry and inefficient, especially when the UE is in a low-power mode. These procedures also involve large average distances between anchor nodes and UEs, leading to high power consumption and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves configuring a target UE before entry into a low-power mode to alter an incoming positioning signal with minimal or no baseband processing. This configuration allows for position determination even when the UE is in a low-power mode by utilizing appropriate positioning signal parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional positioning procedures are used, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but power consumption increases significantly due to baseband signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces baseband signal processing (digital processing) with RF-domain signal processing. The UE modifies positioning signals in the RF domain using simple signal operations such as phase shifting and frequency modulation, which can be performed with minimal power consumption. This substitution of processing domain fundamentally reduces the energy requirement while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of signal processing by performing modifications in the RF domain rather than converting to baseband. By operating directly with RF signals and using parameter changes such as phase and frequency modulation, the system achieves positioning functionality without requiring power-hungry baseband converters and complex digital signal processing chains.
2Device complexity
If a small number of anchor nodes with fixed locations are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the average distance between anchor nodes and UEs increases leading to higher power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic anchor node selection where UEs can be assigned to different anchor nodes based on their current location and movement patterns. Instead of fixed anchor node assignments, the system dynamically determines which anchor nodes are most suitable for each UE, allowing for more efficient coverage and reduced average distances. This dynamic approach enables better power management while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If high level of synchronization is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but overhead and latency increase which implicitly increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial synchronization rather than full synchronization between all terminals. Instead of requiring all anchor nodes and UEs to be perfectly synchronized, the system implements selective synchronization only where needed for positioning measurements. This partial approach maintains sufficient positioning accuracy while dramatically reducing the overhead and energy consumption associated with maintaining high-level synchronization across the entire network.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present application are related to configuring a target user equipment to alter, with minimal or no baseband processing, an incoming positioning signal, in a manner that takes into consideration various power or energy modes (e.g., regular power, low power, extremely low power) for the target user equipment. Through appropriate configuration of the positioning signal, the parameters reported, by anchor nodes, to a position-obtaining node may be shown to allow the position-obtaining node to obtain a position for the target user equipment, even though the target user equipment is in one of a plurality of low power modes.