Multi-TRP Downlink Positioning With QCL-Based Channel Association

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G, face challenges in enhancing spectral efficiency and reducing latency for positioning measurements, especially in multi-TRP scenarios, where efficient resource allocation and signal coordination among multiple transmission-reception points (TRPs) are not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a multi-DCI-based multi-TRP architecture that utilizes control resource sets (CORESETs) and multiple transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states to optimize signal transmission and reception, enabling better resource allocation and coordination among TRPs for improved positioning accuracy and reduced latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If positioning measurements are performed on physical downlink channels in multi-TRP scenarios, then positioning accuracy is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to inadequate resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning measurement process by associating different physical downlink channels (PDSCH, PDCCH, PTRS, PTCRS) with specific TRPs through QCL relationships. Each channel can be independently configured with TRP-specific QCL parameters, allowing positioning measurements to be performed on channel segments from multiple TRPs without requiring dedicated positioning resources, thus improving positioning accuracy while maintaining spectral efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables physical downlink channels to serve dual purposes: both data/control transmission and positioning measurements. By configuring QCL relationships between positioning reference signals and physical downlink channels, the same channel resources are utilized for both communication and positioning functions, eliminating the need for separate positioning resources and thereby improving spectral efficiency while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple TRPs are coordinated for positioning measurements, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to signal coordination requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces QCL (Quasi-Co-Location) relationships as an intermediary mechanism to coordinate signals from multiple TRPs. The QCL configuration acts as a mediator that establishes relationships between reference signals from different TRPs, allowing the UE to perform positioning measurements without requiring complex inter-TRP coordination protocols. The gNB configures QCL parameters that enable the UE to understand the spatial relationships between TRP signals, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining multi-TRP positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If positioning measurements are performed using existing physical downlink channels, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to lack of dedicated positioning resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring TRP-specific QCL parameters for different physical downlink channels based on their spatial relationships with the UE. Each channel can have customized QCL configurations (e.g., qcl-Type1, qcl-Type2, qcl-Type3, qcl-Type4) that are optimized for positioning measurements from specific TRPs. This localized configuration approach ensures that each channel segment used for positioning has the appropriate quality characteristics, maintaining measurement reliability while utilizing existing channel resources efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4154626B1Transmission-reception point (TRP) association for positioning measurements performed on physical downlink channels
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4154626B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4154626B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4154626B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques for wireless communication. In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) receives one or more physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), one or more physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs), or both from at least a first transmission-reception point (TRP), a second TRP, or both, performs one or more positioning measurements of the one or more PDCCHs, the one or more PDSCHs, or both, and reports, to a network node, the one or more positioning measurements, a timestamp associated with the one or more PDCCHs, the one or more PDSCHs, or both or the one or more positioning measurements, and one or more properties of a quasi-co-location (QCL) source associated with the one or more PDCCHs, the one or more PDSCHs, or both.