NTN Positioning Signal Burst Configuration for Satellite Delay Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of satellite-based communication systems with terrestrial wireless communication systems, such as 5G New Radio (NR) networks, poses challenges due to differences in coverage areas, movement, propagation delays, and carrier frequencies, requiring optimized and minimized impact on implementation and support.
Innovation Solution
The use of user equipment (UE) configurations that include discontinuous measurement gaps for receiving positioning signals from multiple space vehicles (SVs), prioritization based on expected reference signal time differences (RSTD), and burst configurations of positioning signals to ensure they arrive within a maximum time window, along with capability messages indicating supported search windows and uncertainties for non-terrestrial networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If positioning signals from multiple space vehicles are received using continuous measurement gaps, then the UE can maintain continuous monitoring capability, but the propagation delay differences cause signals to arrive outside the measurement window reducing positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement gap pattern is segmented into multiple distinct gaps, with each gap specifically allocated to receive positioning signals from a particular space vehicle. This segmentation allows the UE to properly time each measurement according to the specific propagation delay of each SV, resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and accurate timing.
2Measurement precision
If the UE configures separate measurement gaps for each space vehicle, then positioning signal reception timing is optimized, but the measurement gap configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement gaps are configured as periodic patterns with defined periodicities, allowing the UE to efficiently manage multiple measurement gaps through standardized periodic configurations rather than ad-hoc timing arrangements. This reduces configuration complexity while maintaining precise timing for each space vehicle.
3Area of stationary object
If positioning signals are transmitted from space vehicles at different orbits and elevation angles, then coverage area is expanded, but propagation delay differences increase making simultaneous measurement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into separate time intervals, with each interval dedicated to receiving signals from space vehicles at specific orbital positions and elevation angles. This allows the system to maintain expanded coverage while accounting for the varying propagation delays of different SV geometries.
4Measurement precision
If the UE supports larger maximum search windows for non-terrestrial networks, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the processing time and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The search window is segmented into multiple smaller, manageable intervals, each associated with specific space vehicles and their expected arrival times. This segmentation allows the UE to process positioning data more efficiently while maintaining the overall accuracy benefits of a larger effective search window.
Data Source
AI summary
Support for user equipment (UE) positioning with a non-terrestrial network (NTN) considers the significantly different propagation delays of positioning signals transmitted by SVs (SVs) in different orbits and elevation angles. The UE may be configured with a discontinuous measurement gap set for each positioning occasion, including separate measurement gaps for positioning signals transmitted by different SVs. Prioritization based on expected reference signal time differences (RSTD) may be used so that positioning signals received by the UE at nearly the same time are measured with higher priority. A burst configuration based on orbital position of SVs may be used so that positioning signals from different SVs will arrive at the UE within a maximum time window. The UE may provide a capability message indicating a maximum search window and uncertainty supported for NTNs, which may be used to configure the positioning signals to be measured by the UE.