NR Positioning Using First Arrival Path and LOS Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cellular wireless technologies face challenges in accurately determining user equipment (UE) location due to insufficient reporting of signal location parameters, high computational complexity of detection and estimation algorithms, synchronization bottlenecks, and vulnerabilities to spoofing, which affect the precision of positioning in cellular networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing enhanced positioning techniques that include transmitting raw electromagnetic waveforms, utilizing first arrival path information, over-the-air synchronization across base stations, classifying line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS states, and leveraging measurements across different frequency bands to refine location estimates, along with spoofing protection mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If enhanced positioning techniques are implemented with raw waveform transmission and first arrival path information, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning process into distinct components: raw waveform transmission, first arrival path detection, LOS/NLOS classification, and location estimation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall system complexity by dividing complex tasks into manageable modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for positioning from the raw waveforms - specifically the first arrival path information and signal location parameters. By extracting only necessary data rather than processing all available information, the system reduces computational complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If detection and estimation algorithms with high computational complexity are used, then positioning precision is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using simplified detection algorithms that process only the first arrival path information rather than all multipath components. This partial processing approach reduces computational time while maintaining sufficient positioning precision through the use of the most significant signal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by classifying LOS/NLOS states and identifying first arrival paths before final location estimation. These preliminary classifications simplify subsequent processing and reduce the computational complexity of the main estimation algorithm, thereby reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If synchronization across base stations is improved through over-the-air synchronization, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service synchronization where base stations automatically synchronize with each other through over-the-air exchange of timing information. This autonomous synchronization process eliminates the need for complex external synchronization systems and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If spoofing protection mechanisms are added, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the UE reports signal location parameters and LOS/NLOS classifications back to the network. This feedback enables the network to verify signal authenticity and detect spoofing attempts, improving security without requiring complex additional hardware at the UE level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the network as an intermediary for spoofing detection. Rather than requiring complex security mechanisms at the UE level, the network performs authentication and spoofing detection using the reported parameters, thereby improving security while keeping UE device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4141468B1Techniques for improving new radio (NR) positioning performance
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 APPLE INC
  • EP4141468B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4141468B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4141468B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Systems, methods, and circuitries are disclosed for determining a position of a wireless device. In one example, an apparatus for a first wireless communication device including baseband circuitry having a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to transmit and receive RF signals is provided. The apparatus includes one or more processors configured to process a signal received from a second wireless communication device to identify at least first arrival path and a different arrival path between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device; and determine a location of the second wireless communication device based on the first arrival path and the different arrival path.