Non-Connected SRS Positioning for Idle and Inactive Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current uplink location technologies are unable to position terminal devices in a non-connected state, leading to energy waste and prolonged positioning times due to the need to page devices to a connected state for positioning.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a terminal device sending capability information indicating its support for sending sounding reference signals (SRS) in a non-connected state, allowing the location management function (LMF) to configure positioning without requiring the device to enter a connected state, thereby reducing energy consumption and signaling overheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the terminal device is paged to a connected state for positioning, then positioning can be performed, but energy consumption increases and positioning time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs positioning operations in advance while in the non-connected state by transmitting SRS signals. The LMF device receives these signals and determines the location before the device needs to be paged to connected state, thereby avoiding the energy consumption and time delay associated with state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device autonomously performs positioning measurements and transmits SRS signals to the LMF device without requiring network paging or connection establishment. The device serves its own positioning needs independently while in the non-connected state, eliminating the need for energy-intensive state transitions.
2Measurement precision
If the terminal device is paged to a connected state for positioning, then positioning can be performed, but signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device transmits SRS signals for positioning purposes before being paged to the connected state. The LMF device receives and processes these preliminary positioning signals, completing the positioning operation without requiring subsequent connection establishment and associated signaling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is extracted from the connected state operations and performed independently in the non-connected state. The SRS signal transmission and location determination are separated from the RRC connection management procedures, eliminating the signaling overhead associated with paging and connection establishment.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal device remains in non-connected state for positioning, then energy consumption and signaling overheads are reduced, but positioning capability must be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a new capability parameter indicating SRS transmission support in non-connected state. The LMF device checks this capability parameter before initiating positioning procedures, ensuring that positioning is only attempted on devices that support this feature, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling energy-efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The LMF device receives and stores the capability information in advance from the terminal device. This preliminary capability assessment ensures that when positioning is needed, the LMF can immediately determine whether the device supports non-connected state positioning, avoiding positioning failures and ensuring reliable operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and apparatus, and are applicable to positioning. The method includes: A terminal device sends capability information to a location management function (LMF) device, where the capability information indicates that the terminal device supports sending of a sounding reference signal (SRS) in a non-connected state; and the terminal device receives information about an SRS configuration from an access network device, where the information about the SRS configuration indicates the terminal device to send the SRS based on the SRS configuration. The non-connected state includes an idle state and/or an inactive state. The information about the SRS configuration may be received via a radio resource control release message. Before sending the capability information, the terminal device may receive, from the LMF device, a request for requesting the terminal device to send the capability information. The LMF device may further receive, from the access network device, information indicating that the terminal device enters the non-connected state and/or information about an area in which the terminal device is located. The method is used to position a terminal device in a non-connected state.