Mobile Position Verification Using Directional Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices can spoof their position in communication networks, compromising the integrity of positioning methods by tampering with measurements, allowing unauthorized access to location-based services.
Innovation Solution
A network entity transmits a positioning reference signal to a verified position estimate and verifies the response from the mobile device to authenticate its location, using cryptographic nonces and directional transmission to ensure only legitimate devices can receive and decode the signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If positioning reference signals are transmitted continuously to all devices, then positioning availability is improved, but network overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements on-demand positioning reference signal transmission where signals are sent only to specific user equipments based on their positioning service requirements. The LMF determines which UEs need positioning services and configures BSs to transmit PRS only to those specific devices, rather than continuously to all devices in the network. This localized approach maintains positioning availability for needed devices while significantly reducing overall network energy consumption and overhead.
2Productivity
If positioning reference signals are transmitted only on-demand to specific devices, then network efficiency is improved, but positioning reliability for spoofing detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a verification procedure where, before providing positioning services, the network performs spoofing detection by transmitting verification PRS signals to the UE's reported position. The LMF configures BSs to send these verification signals and checks whether the UE can correctly receive and respond to them. This preliminary verification action ensures positioning integrity by detecting spoofed positions before actual positioning services are provided, while maintaining network efficiency through on-demand signal transmission only when verification is needed.
3Speed
If the network trusts UE-reported measurements without verification, then positioning processing speed is improved, but security against spoofing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces positioning reference signals as an intermediary verification mechanism between the UE and the LMF. Instead of directly trusting UE-reported measurements, the LMF uses PRS signals transmitted by BSs as a mediator to verify UE positions. The PRS signals serve as a trusted third-party reference that the UE must correctly receive and measure. This intermediary approach maintains processing speed by using efficient signal-based verification rather than complex analysis of UE reports, while simultaneously improving security by detecting spoofing attempts through the verification procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure inter alia relates to a network entity comprising means for: obtaining or determining a position estimate of a mobile device for verification; transmitting or causing transmitting a positioning reference signal to a position indicated by the position estimate for verification; and trying to verify the position estimate for verification at least based on a potential response from the mobile device received in response to the positioning reference signal.