NTN UE Location Verification Using RAN Uplink Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately verifying the location of user equipment (UE) in non-terrestrial networks (NTN) due to the potential for erroneous location reports from UEs, which can lead to incorrect association with core networks and violate regulatory requirements, especially in large NTN cells spanning multiple geographical areas.
Innovation Solution
A base station triggered/controlled positioning mechanism that independently verifies UE location using existing reference signals without reliance on core network entities, employing methods such as round trip time (RTT), uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA), and uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) to ensure accurate location determination and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE location is determined using existing wireless communication systems, then location information can be obtained, but the location verification reliability is insufficient due to potential erroneous location reports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary entity that independently verifies UE location using radio propagation characteristics (RTT, UL-AoA, UL-TDOA) rather than directly trusting UE-reported location. The base station acts as a mediator between the UE and core network, validating location information through multiple measurement techniques before association with core network functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the base station continuously monitors and verifies UE location using uplink reference signals, comparing reported location with independently calculated location based on radio measurements. This closed-loop verification process improves reliability by detecting and correcting erroneous location reports through feedback from the radio environment.
2Measurement precision
If base station triggered positioning mechanism is implemented, then location verification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a communication node, a positioning reference signal transmitter, a location verification entity, and a gateway to the core network. By consolidating these functions in the base station, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated positioning infrastructure, thereby improving accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station autonomously performs location verification using existing uplink reference signals from the UE without requiring additional complex infrastructure. The base station leverages its inherent capabilities to measure RTT, UL-AoA, and UL-TDOA using standard wireless signals, making the verification process self-sufficient and reducing dependency on external complex systems.
3Loss of time
If independent location verification is performed without core network entities, then verification speed is improved, but loss of information may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs location verification in advance before the UE associates with core network functions. By pre-validating location information using independent measurements, the system prevents erroneous associations from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining verification speed while ensuring information accuracy through preliminary checks.
Solution Approach 2:
The location verification process is segmented into distinct measurement components (RTT measurement, UL-AoA measurement, UL-TDOA measurement) that can be performed independently and then integrated. This segmentation allows the base station to gather comprehensive location information through multiple independent measurements, reducing information loss while maintaining verification speed through parallel processing of different measurement types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable verification of UE location within NTN cells, ensuring correct association with the appropriate core network functions and compliance with regulatory requirements, thereby preventing unauthorized access and ensuring accurate service provision.
Implementation Method 1
employing methods such as round trip time (RTT)... to ensure accurate location determination
Implementation Method 2
uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA)... to ensure accurate location determination
Implementation Method 3
uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) to ensure accurate location determination
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for radio access network (RAN)-based user equipment (UE) location determination in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are discussed herein. Round trip time (RTT) mechanisms, uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) mechanisms, and/or uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) mechanisms may be used between a UE and one or more NTN payloads operating a serving cell of a base station to provide the base station data used to determine a location of the UE. In some example, a single uplink (UL) reference signal is used in conjunction with multiple payloads, while in others multiple UL reference signals sent during different measurement instances are used with a single payload. The base station may not be dependent on certain core network (CN)-related functionality (e.g., an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) and/or an NR positioning protocol A (NRPPa)) to make this determination. In some embodiments, a determined location is used to verify a UE-reported location.