NR PRS Bandwidth Part Configuration for Collision-Free UE Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G new radio (NR) positioning systems face challenges with limited link budget and multiplexing capabilities for uplink sounding reference signals (SRS), leading to suboptimal performance in UE-based positioning and collisions between downlink (DL) positioning reference signals (PRS) and other DL transmissions.
Innovation Solution
Enhancements are introduced for NR DL/UL PRS bandwidth configuration, including independent or dedicated BWP configurations for PRS, improved SRS design with extended symbols and reduced subcarrier density, and mechanisms for handling collisions between DL PRS and other DL transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uplink sounding reference signals (SRS) are used for positioning, then positioning functionality is enabled, but link budget is limited and multiplexing capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key parameters of the SRS signal including extending the number of symbols from typical values to up to 14 symbols, reducing subcarrier density using comb-6 or comb-12 patterns, and adjusting cyclic prefix lengths. These parameter modifications improve the link budget and positioning accuracy while managing the trade-offs in signal design
2Measurement precision
If downlink positioning reference signals (PRS) are transmitted, then positioning measurements can be performed, but collisions with other downlink transmissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the downlink bandwidth into separate bandwidth parts (BWPs), with dedicated BWPs for PRS transmissions and other BWPs for data transmissions. This segmentation prevents collisions between PRS and other downlink signals by allocating them to different frequency resources, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy without interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic BWP switching mechanisms that allow the UE to switch between different BWPs based on whether PRS or data transmissions are occurring. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize resource allocation in real-time, avoiding collisions while maintaining continuous service
3Measurement precision
If bandwidth part (BWP) configuration is optimized for PRS, then positioning performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the BWP configuration framework to be multi-functional, where the same BWP structure serves both positioning (PRS) and data transmission purposes. By making the BWP configuration universal rather than entirely separate, the system achieves positioning accuracy improvements while avoiding the need for completely independent configuration systems that would increase device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for an access point (AP) for a wireless communication system. The AP includes processor circuitry configured to configure a bandwidth part (BWP) for downlink (DL) positioning reference signals (PRS) and a BWP for DL data transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the BWP for DL PRS provides DL PRS to the UE for a UE-based positioning operation. The processor circuitry is configured to select an action to be performed by the UE in response to receiving the configured BWP for DL PRS and the configured BWP for DL data transmission by the UE. The AP includes radio front end circuitry that is coupled to the processor circuitry and configured to transmit, to the UE, the configured BWP for DL PRS, the configured BWP for DL data transmission, and the selected action. The wireless communication is a 5G system or a 5G new radio (5G-NR) system.