NR Positioning Uplink Timing Quality Reporting for Clock Drift
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning techniques for mobile devices in wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately determining location due to factors affecting the timing of uplink reference signal transmissions, such as clock drift and timing advance adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device communicates a timing quality metric related to uplink signal transmission, which is indicative of the accuracy of the reference signal timing, using an indexed and/or enumerated value, to improve positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uplink reference signal transmission timing is adjusted for positioning, then positioning capability is enabled, but timing accuracy deteriorates due to clock drift and timing advance adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The UE measures the actual transmission timing of uplink reference signals and feeds back this timing information to the network entity. The network entity uses this feedback to calculate positioning parameters, compensating for timing variations caused by clock drift and timing advance adjustments, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy despite timing inaccuracies in the uplink signals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces timing difference information as an intermediary parameter between the uplink reference signal transmission and the positioning calculation. By measuring and reporting the timing difference between uplink and downlink signals, the system creates an intermediate representation that allows the network entity to compensate for timing errors and achieve accurate positioning without requiring perfect uplink timing synchronization
2Measurement precision
If timing quality metric is reported for uplink signals, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously measures its own uplink reference signal transmission timing and calculates the timing quality metric without requiring additional network infrastructure or complex coordination. The device uses its internal clocks and timing mechanisms to self-assess the timing accuracy, then reports this information to the network entity, thereby improving positioning accuracy through a relatively simple self-service mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein provide for a mobile device communicating a timing quality metric related to an uplink (UL) signal for UL and/or downlink-uplink (DL-UL) positioning techniques. The timing quality metric can be indicative of an accuracy of the transmission timing of one or more reference signals (e.g., in relation to a downlink (DL) signal or other UL reference signal) and may be communicated using an indexed and/or enumerated value. This information can be included as an information element (IE) in a report provided by the mobile device to a receiving network entity or location server.