NR Multipath Angle Reporting via Virtual Anchors for Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack efficient mechanisms for reporting angle of arrival (AoA) information per path, which hinders improvements in positioning accuracy and increases complexity and cost in multi-antenna receivers.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) estimates AoA based on virtual anchors (VAs) using time of flight (ToF) values and reports angle information per path, enabling improved positioning accuracy with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If AoA information is reported per path using multi-antenna receivers, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual anchors (VAs) as intermediary reference points that enable AoA estimation without requiring complex multi-antenna receivers at the UE. The VAs serve as virtual reference transmitters whose positions are known, allowing the UE to calculate AoA by comparing arrival times of multipath signals from different virtual anchors, thereby achieving accurate positioning with simplified hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of anchor points (virtual anchors) that represent reflected signal paths. Instead of physically deploying multiple antennas at the UE to capture spatial information, the system creates virtual representations of anchor positions that simulate the effect of multi-antenna reception, enabling AoA estimation through computational geometry rather than hardware complexity
2Device complexity
If traditional positioning methods are used without per-path angle reporting, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spatial dimension measurement (using multiple antennas to capture signal from different directions) to temporal-dimension measurement (using time of flight differences from multiple virtual anchors). By exploiting the time dimension and known virtual anchor positions, the system calculates AoA through geometric relationships rather than spatial sampling, achieving accurate positioning with single-antenna receivers
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances UE positioning accuracy by estimating AoA per path using VAs, facilitating angle measurement requests and reporting, and reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
estimating at least one angle of arrival (AoA) associated with the set of multipath signals based on at least one of a set of time of flight (ToF) values associated with the set of multipath signals
Implementation Method 2
where each VA in the set of VAs is associated with a corresponding reflecting surface in a communication environment of the UE, where reflection of the set of multipath signals occurs via the corresponding reflecting surface associated with each VA in the set of VAs
Data Source
AI summary
Multipath angle estimation and reporting for positioning is described. An apparatus is configured to receive a set of multipath signals for a set of VAs. Each VA in the set of VAs is associated with a corresponding reflecting surface in a UE communication environment. Reflection of the set of multipath signals occurs via the corresponding reflecting surface. The apparatus is configured to estimate at least one AoA associated with the set of multipath signals based on at least one of a set of ToF values associated with the set of multipath signals, a UE location, or a VA location. The apparatus is configured to provide, to a network entity, an indication of multipath information associated with the set of multipath signals for the set of VAs. The multipath information includes the at least one AoA associated with at least one multipath signal in the set of multipath signals.