Lower-Layer Positioning Reports for Low-Latency 5G Location Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving high-accuracy location estimates due to increased latency and inefficiencies in signaling, particularly in 5G networks, which affect the precision of positioning reference signals.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of techniques for transmitting measurement reports using lower-level messages, such as physical-layer or MAC-layer messages, to encode positioning reference signal measurements, allowing for flexible payload sizes and reduced latency by avoiding higher protocol stack processing, and optimizing message transmission to avoid collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If higher protocol stack processing is used for measurement reporting, then measurement accuracy is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidreporting latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement reporting process by separating positioning reference signal measurements from other measurement types. Positioning measurements are reported through dedicated lower-layer messages (physical-layer or MAC-layer) while other measurements continue to use traditional higher-layer protocols. This segmentation allows positioning reports to bypass the slower higher protocol stack processing, reducing latency while maintaining accuracy through dedicated processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using lower-layer messages as a dedicated transmission channel for positioning measurements. These intermediate messages act as a bridge between the physical layer and the positioning function, enabling direct reporting without full higher-layer protocol processing. This intermediary path preserves measurement accuracy while significantly reducing the time required for reporting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If lower-layer messages are used for measurement reporting, then latency is reduced, but message collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereporting latencyVSAvoidmessage transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation and timing mechanisms for lower-layer measurement reports. The system dynamically selects transmission resources, adjusts timing based on network conditions, and adapts message formatting to current requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to exploit the low-latency benefits of lower-layer messages while actively managing collision risks through real-time resource coordination and conflict avoidance strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the network entity receives lower-layer measurement reports and provides acknowledgments or retransmission requests when collisions or errors occur. This feedback loop enables the system to maintain high reliability by detecting transmission issues and triggering appropriate corrective actions, while still benefiting from the reduced latency of lower-layer reporting for successful transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If flexible payload sizes are implemented in lower-layer messages, then reporting efficiency is improved, but message complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereporting efficiencyVSAvoidmessage encoding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the payload size and structure of lower-layer messages to be dynamically configured based on positioning requirements. The message format includes configurable fields that can be adjusted to include only necessary positioning measurement data, optimizing the balance between reporting completeness and message size. This parameter-based flexibility improves reporting efficiency by avoiding unnecessary data transmission while managing encoding complexity through standardized configuration options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4209070B1Low-layer positioning measurement reporting
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4209070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4209070B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4209070B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of sending measurement information from a user equipment includes: measuring a reference signal; producing a measurement report payload based on measurement of the reference signal; encoding the measurement report payload in accordance with ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation One) encoding, and in accordance with a lower-layer protocol to produce an encoded payload, the lower-layer protocol being either a physical-layer protocol or a MAC-layer (Medium Access Control layer) protocol; and sending a lower-layer message based on the encoded payload from the user equipment to a network entity.