NLOS Link Identification via AoD and AoA Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Industrial IoT (IIoT) settings, non-Line of Sight (NLOS) links due to objects between base stations and user equipment degrade positioning accuracy, latency, and increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying NLOS links by measuring Angle of Departure (AoD) and Angle of Arrival (AoA) at the user equipment (UE) and base station (gNB), with confidence indicators to determine the likelihood of NLOS links, and using these determinations to improve network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NLOS links are present due to objects between base station and user equipment, then wireless communication can still be maintained, but positioning accuracy is significantly degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of NLOS links using AoD and AoA measurements before positioning operations. By detecting the presence of NLOS conditions in advance through angle measurements and confidence indicators, the system can prepare appropriate mitigation strategies, such as selecting alternative reference signals or adjusting positioning algorithms, thereby maintaining communication reliability while minimizing positioning accuracy degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces confidence indicators as an intermediary element that mediates between raw angle measurements and final positioning decisions. These confidence indicators, derived from AoD and AoA measurements, serve as a bridge to identify NLOS links without completely discarding the signal data, allowing the system to maintain communication availability while flagging positions that may have reduced accuracy.
2Reliability
If NLOS links are present, then communication can continue, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary NLOS detection using angle measurements before initiating data transmission. By identifying NLOS links in advance through AoD and AoA confidence indicators, the system can proactively select alternative communication paths or adjust transmission parameters, thereby maintaining communication continuity while reducing the latency that would otherwise result from reactive error correction or retransmission protocols.
3Reliability
If NLOS links are present, then communication is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of NLOS links using angle measurements before full communication sessions begin. By detecting NLOS conditions early through AoD and AoA confidence indicators, the system can proactively adjust power allocation, select more energy-efficient transmission modes, or prioritize communication through LOS links, thereby maintaining link availability while reducing the excessive power consumption that would result from continuous high-power transmissions in NLOS conditions.
4Measurement precision
If AoD and AoA measurements are performed to identify NLOS links, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional measurement system where the same angle measurement infrastructure (AoD and AoA capabilities) serves multiple purposes: both positioning operations and NLOS link identification. By making the measurement system universal, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated hardware for NLOS detection, thereby improving positioning accuracy through angle-based NLOS identification without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing angle measurement capabilities (AoD and AoA) to identify NLOS links, rather than requiring external or additional specialized measurement devices. This self-service approach allows the system to improve positioning accuracy by detecting NLOS conditions using resources already allocated for positioning, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). Disclosed is a method of identifying non-Line of Sight, NLOS, links between entities in a telecommunication network, comprising the steps of: determining if the link is NLOS and signalling from a first entity to a second entity a result of the determination by means of a parameter indicative of NLOS.