NCD-SSB Configuration for Power-Efficient Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In uplink or uplink/downlink positioning for terminal devices in a radio resource control inactive state, frequent neighboring cell searches due to shared SRS resources across cells lead to high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Configuring non-cell-defining synchronization signals (NCD-SSBs) associated with reference signals to enable power-efficient positioning by allowing measurement at the same frequency domain across different cells, reducing the need for additional neighboring cell searches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If same SRS resources are used for positioning across multiple cells, then positioning functionality is maintained during cell handover, but terminal device must frequently search for SSB in neighboring cells increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The NCD-SSB is configured to serve multiple cells simultaneously within the same UCPA, allowing the terminal device to use a single SSB for positioning across different cells. This universal signaling approach eliminates the need for cell-specific SSB searches while maintaining positioning functionality during handover.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the positioning reference signal function into the NCD-SSB structure, combining synchronization and positioning functions. By associating the first reference signal with the first NCD-SSB, the terminal can determine sending parameters for positioning without separate cell search procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If different cells correspond to different SSB indexes, then cell-specific positioning accuracy is improved, but terminal device must perform frequent neighboring cell searches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcell search time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The NCD-SSB serves as a universal reference signal for multiple cells, allowing the terminal device to perform positioning measurements without cell-specific SSB searches. The association between NCD-SSB and reference signal enables the terminal to determine positioning parameters across cell boundaries.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The NCD-SSB acts as an intermediary signaling structure that bridges multiple cells within a UCPA. By configuring NCD-SSB with associated reference signals, the patent creates a mediator that enables continuous positioning functionality without requiring terminal devices to perform frequent cell-specific SSB measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4661530A1Communication method and apparatus, and storage medium and computer program product
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4661530A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4661530A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4661530A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A communication method, an apparatus, a storage medium, and a computer program product are provided. The method includes: A terminal device receives first configuration information from a network device, where the first configuration information includes configuration information of at least one first non-cell-defining synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block NCD-SSB and configuration information of a first reference signal, the at least one first NCD-SSB is associated with the first reference signal, and the first reference signal is used to position the terminal device. The terminal device measures the at least one first NCD-SSB, and determines a sending parameter of the first reference signal. In this way, when the terminal device is in different cells, the terminal device may measure first NCD-SSBs of the different cells at a same frequency domain position, and then determine the sending parameter of the first reference signal based on a measurement result, so that an additional neighboring cell search process can be avoided, and power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.