On-Demand 5G UE Positioning With Synchronized Resource Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network-based positioning in 5G systems, particularly in local indoor scenarios, suffers from complex architectures that depend on 5G core network functions, leading to non-real-time UE location results due to network jitter and long route messages.
Innovation Solution
A simplified architecture that utilizes a cloud-based positioning service accessible to enterprises, leveraging a radio access network and an AMF to acquire UE location measurements independently of the 5G core network, using a disaggregated RAN with synchronized resource blocks across multiple radio units to derive location measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current 5G core network-based positioning architecture is used, then positioning service is provided, but network jitter and long message routes lead to non-real-time UE location results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning functionality from the 5G core network (LMF) and places it directly in the RAN (gNB). This removes the dependency on core network functions for positioning, shortening the message route from UE-LMF-back to gNB, thereby eliminating network jitter delays while maintaining positioning service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning function from the core network control plane and implements it independently in the RAN. This separation allows positioning operations to occur locally at the gNB without involving core network message routing, thus achieving real-time location results while preserving overall network architecture integrity.
2Reliability
If current 5G core network-based positioning architecture is used, then positioning service is provided, but the architecture becomes complex and dependent on core network functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the complex core network architecture and places it directly in the RAN. This simplifies the overall system by removing dependencies on LMF, AMF, and other core network functions for positioning operations, reducing architectural complexity while maintaining service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gNB performs positioning measurements and calculations independently using local resources and capabilities. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex inter-function communication with core network elements, simplifying the architecture while ensuring positioning service reliability.
3Loss of time
If synchronized resource blocks are used across multiple radio units, then real-time location measurements are achieved, but resource coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the resource block scheduling and synchronization functions into a unified gNB controller that manages multiple radio units. This centralized coordination within the RAN enables synchronized resource block allocation across radio units, achieving real-time location measurements while managing complexity through integrated control rather than distributed coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises: at a radio access network configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE) wirelessly, an access and mobility management function (AMF), and a positioning service, and through which the UE attached to a network using an attach procedure with the AMF: upon receiving a request for a location of the UE from the positioning service, scheduling resource blocks, configured for acquiring location measurements, across multiple radio units (RUs) of the radio access network, such that the resource blocks are synchronized in time and frequency across the multiple RUs; by the multiple RUs, exchanging, with the UE, the resource blocks as synchronized, and acquiring the location measurements from the multiple RUs based on exchanging; and forwarding the location measurements to the positioning service to enable the positioning service to determine the location of the UE based on the location measurements.