Multi-Subscription Device Positioning Using Clock Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, devices associated with multiple subscriptions face challenges in determining their location accurately when they are visible to access nodes from different networks, as triangulation is not possible with fewer than three access nodes per network subscription, leading to positioning inaccuracies, especially in environments with limited line of sight or indoor settings.
Innovation Solution
A terminal device associated with multiple network subscriptions can obtain positioning reference signals from access nodes of both networks, estimate the clock frequency difference between the networks, and remove the offset to determine joint positioning information, enabling location determination using access nodes from both networks, even when fewer than three access nodes per network are available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device uses multiple network subscriptions to improve positioning availability, then positioning can be performed in environments with limited access nodes, but clock frequency differences between networks cause positioning inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces clock frequency offset estimation and compensation as an intermediary process between receiving positioning reference signals from multiple networks and determining joint positioning information. The device estimates the clock frequency difference between networks and applies offset removal to the received signals, enabling accurate positioning despite the presence of multiple networks with different clock frequencies.
2Measurement precision
If triangulation is used for positioning, then accurate location determination is possible with three or more access nodes, but indoor or limited environments provide fewer than three access nodes per network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges positioning information from multiple network subscriptions into joint positioning information. By combining access nodes from different networks (first network and second network) and applying clock frequency offset compensation, the system effectively increases the number of usable access nodes from fewer than three per network to a sufficient total number for accurate triangulation-based positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method comprising obtaining a first positioning reference signal configuration from at least a first serving access node (330) and a first neighbour access node (320) comprised in a first network, wherein the apparatus (310) is associated with a first network subscription to the first network, determining first positioning information by receiving a first positioning reference signal based on the obtained first positioning reference signal configuration, obtaining a second positioning reference signal configuration from a second serving access node (360) and a second neighbour access node (350) in a second network, wherein the apparatus is further associated with a second network subscription to the second network, determining second positioning information by receiving a second positioning information reference signal based on the obtained second positioning reference signals, estimating clock frequency difference between the first network and the second network and determining an offset between the first network and the second network, removing the determined offset from the obtained first positioning reference signal and the second positioning signal, and determining a joint positioning information by using the first and the second positioning information.