Mobile UE Positioning by Fusing Sensing and Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication systems face challenges in determining UE location and pose with centimeter-level accuracy due to impairments like multipath interference, shadowing, interference from neighboring cells, regulatory power limitations, and bandwidth restrictions, as well as synchronization and processing capability issues in existing positioning methods.
Innovation Solution
A location management function combines sensing-based techniques with reference signal-based techniques to enhance position determination by using a sensor system and communication system integrated within the same transmission point device, leveraging Doppler analysis to decouple echoes from mobile UEs and static clutter, and associating sensing-based observations with reference-signal-based observations to derive accurate UE identity and position hypotheses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensing-based techniques are used alone to determine UE position, then position estimation can be obtained without relying on UE processing capabilities, but synchronization issues arise when the sensor system and communication system are separate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor system and communication system into a single integrated system. The sensor system receives sensing signals and the communication system receives reference signals, with both systems synchronized through a common timing reference. This integration eliminates synchronization issues between separate systems while maintaining the ability to determine UE position without relying on UE processing capabilities.
2Loss of information
If reference signal-based techniques are used, then UE identity information can be determined, but positioning accuracy is limited by UE processing capabilities and synchronization errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location management function as an intermediary that receives both sensing-based observations (which provide position estimation without UE processing) and reference-signal-based observations (which provide UE identity information). The location management function correlates these two types of observations to associate position estimates with specific UEs, thereby overcoming the limitation of UE processing capabilities while maintaining accurate positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If integrated sensor and communication systems are used, then hardware cost is reduced, but the complexity of building an RF map with limited resolution and dynamic environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning function into two independent components: sensing-based position estimation and reference-signal-based UE identification. This segmentation allows the integrated system to use existing communication infrastructure for UE identification while adding sensing capabilities for position estimation, thereby reducing hardware costs compared to a completely new system while managing complexity through functional separation.
4Measurement precision
If Doppler analysis is used to decouple echoes from mobile UEs and static clutter, then position accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies Doppler analysis to the received signals to automatically separate mobile UE echoes from static clutter based on their different Doppler characteristics. This self-service approach allows the system to improve position accuracy by exploiting the inherent Doppler information in the signals without requiring external assistance or manual intervention, thereby managing processing complexity through algorithmic automation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach obviates synchronization issues and leverages diverse UE processing capabilities, enabling accurate UE positioning and pose estimation with enhanced robustness and precision, overcoming limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
When deriving, from the sensing-based observations, the position hypothesis the location management function may use Doppler analysis techniques to decouple echoes from mobile UEs and static clutter.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a location management function that receives, from a sensor system, a sensing-based profile that includes a sensing-based observation of a UE and receives, from a communication system, a reference-signal-based observation of the UE. The location management function may derive, from the sensing-based observation, a position hypothesis and may determine, from the reference-signal-based observation, UE identity information for the UE. By processing the reference-signal-based observation in conjunction with the sensing-based observation, the location management function may determine an association between the sensing-based observation and the reference-signal-based observation. The location management function may then transmit, to the UE having the UE identity information determined from the reference-signal-based observation, an indication of the position hypothesis derived from the sensing-based observation.