Network-Assisted Ranging and Sidelink Positioning for Out-of-Coverage UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G technologies lack effective solutions for network-assisted ranging and sidelink positioning, particularly when UEs are out of network coverage or have insufficient gNBs for Uu-based positioning, necessitating the discovery of network-assisted UEs and establishment of signaling procedures for accurate UE location.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) selects a network-assisted UE based on capability information, cell ID, and pre-configuration, transmitting a service request to a Location Management Function (LMF) for ranging and sidelink positioning, generating and transmitting location estimations through the Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) to requesting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Uu-based positioning is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but it requires network coverage and sufficient gNBs which are not available in all scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network-assisted UE as an intermediary to enable positioning for UEs out of coverage. The network-assisted UE performs measurements and provides assistance information to the target UE, allowing positioning without direct network coverage for the target UE. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling positioning accuracy while eliminating the strict network coverage requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning function into two parts: the target UE performs ranging measurements directly with the requesting device, while the network-assisted UE handles the complex network coordination and assistance information provision. This segmentation allows the target UE to operate independently without continuous network coverage while maintaining positioning accuracy through coordinated measurements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network-assisted positioning is implemented, then positioning capability for out-of-coverage UEs is improved, but signaling procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network-assisted UE pre-establish capabilities and assistance information before the actual positioning event. The AMF selects appropriate network-assisted UEs in advance based on capability information, and the LMF prepares positioning assistance data beforehand. This pre-preparation simplifies the actual positioning signaling procedure by reducing real-time computation and coordination requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the AMF receives capability information from UEs and uses this feedback to select appropriate network-assisted UEs. The LMF receives measurement results and uses this feedback to refine positioning calculations. This feedback loop optimizes the signaling procedure by adaptive selection and refinement, reducing overall complexity despite the enhanced positioning capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for network assisted ranging and/or sidelink positioning includes: receiving, by an AMF, one or more registration requests; receiving, by a GMLC, a LCS service request; determining, by a 5 5GC NF entity the target UE is out of 5G coverage; selecting, by the GMLC, a serving AMF of the target UE; transmitting, by the GMLC, the LCS service request to the serving AMF; selecting, by the AMF, at least one network assisted UE and a LMF capable of network assisted sidelink positioning; transmitting, by the AMF, the LCS service request to the LMF; performing, by the LMF and the network assisted UE, ranging and/or sidelink positioning procedure; generating and transmitting, by the LMF, an LCS location estimation; transmitting, by the LMF, the LCS location estimation of the target UE to the GMLC; transmitting, by the GMLC, the LCS location estimation to the requesting device.