NTN Capability Signaling for Accurate UE Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, lack improvements in positioning protocols and techniques for user equipment (UE) with both terrestrial and non-terrestrial network capabilities, especially in scenarios with TN coverage loss or emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable a location server to obtain and utilize the NTN capabilities of a UE, providing updated assistance data for accurate positioning, even when TN coverage is unavailable, and facilitating intersatellite link activation in high-priority cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If positioning protocols are improved for NTN-capable UEs, then positioning accuracy is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning system into terrestrial network components and non-terrestrial network components, allowing independent optimization of each. The LMF is enhanced specifically for NTN capabilities while maintaining separate terrestrial positioning functionality, enabling improved NTN positioning accuracy without unnecessarily complicating the entire positioning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE report its NTN capability status to the network in advance. The location server pre-configures assistance data and positioning parameters based on the UE's NTN capability indication, so that when positioning is needed, the system can immediately use the appropriate protocol without complex real-time decision-making.
2Reliability
If the system supports both TN and NTN connectivity for positioning, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the location server and UE universally capable of handling both terrestrial and non-terrestrial network positioning. The LMF is designed to support multiple positioning protocols and network types through a unified interface, allowing the same device to reliably perform positioning whether connected to TN, NTN, or both, without requiring separate specialized systems for each network type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the positioning system can dynamically switch between or combine TN and NTN connectivity based on availability and requirements. The UE can indicate its connectivity status, and the location server dynamically adjusts the positioning protocol and assistance data accordingly, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through flexible, context-dependent operation.
3Measurement precision
If updated assistance data is transmitted for NTN positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but information transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting assistance data specifically tailored to NTN positioning requirements only when the UE indicates it is NTN-capable and requires NTN positioning. The location server selectively provides satellite ephemeris, clock corrections, and other NTN-specific assistance parameters rather than universally transmitting all possible positioning data, thereby improving NTN positioning accuracy while minimizing unnecessary information transmission overhead for terrestrial-only scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects presented herein may enable a location server to obtain/know the non-terrestrial network (NTN) capabilities of a user equipment (UE) to improve the overall performance and efficiency of UE positioning. In one aspect, a location server receives a set of NTN capabilities associated with a UE. The location server receives an indication of the UE being camped on an NTN cell based on at least one of: (1) when a radio resource connection (RRC) reconnection is established for the UE between a terrestrial network (TN) and an NTN during a positioning session, (2) when the UE has both TN connectivity and NTN connectivity during the positioning session, or (3) when the UE has at least one high priority task. The location server transmits, for the UE in response to the indication, updated assistance data (AD) based on the set of NTN capabilities associated with the UE.