On-Demand Positioning Reference Signals for Wireless Resource Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems waste resources and incur unnecessary overhead due to always-on downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) transmissions, which do not adapt to varying positioning requirements, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth and energy usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing on-demand DL-PRS techniques that dynamically adjust configuration parameters such as bandwidth, duration, and spatial direction based on specific positioning needs, allowing networks to increase or decrease DL-PRS resources as required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) transmissions are always on, then positioning availability is improved, but resource consumption and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning availabilityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic DL-PRS transmission where base stations adjust PRS transmission based on real-time positioning requirements. The network receives positioning requests from UEs or network entities, determines whether DL-PRS transmission is needed, and configures base stations to transmit PRS only when required. This transforms the static always-on transmission into a dynamic on-demand transmission system, resolving the contradiction between continuous availability and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter state from constant (always-on) to variable (on-demand). The network entity configures base stations with parameters indicating whether to transmit DL-PRS, allowing the transmission state to be adjusted based on positioning service requirements. This parameter change enables the system to maintain positioning capability when needed while avoiding unnecessary resource consumption during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) transmissions are always on, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but bandwidth utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous periodic transmission, the patent implements event-triggered periodic transmission. DL-PRS transmissions are activated periodically only when positioning requests are received, creating an on-demand periodic action pattern. This allows the system to maintain positioning accuracy when services are active while significantly improving bandwidth utilization efficiency during periods when no positioning services are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) transmissions are always on, then positioning service readiness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice readinessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential positioning function from the continuous transmission framework. Instead of maintaining constant PRS transmission, the system extracts and activates PRS transmission only when positioning services are actually needed. This extraction approach maintains service readiness for positioning while eliminating energy waste from unnecessary transmissions during non-positioning periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4229937B1Methods and apparatuses for support of on-demand positioning reference signals in a wireless network
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4229937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4229937B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4229937B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are provided for enabling on-demand positioning reference signals (PRS) with a user equipment (UE). An example method for determining a location of a mobile device includes sending a request for downlink positioning reference signals to a network server, where the request includes positioning reference signal configuration information, receiving assistance data based on the positioning reference signal configuration information, measuring one or more downlink positioning reference signals based at least in part on the positioning reference signal configuration information, and determining a location of the mobile device based at least on part on the measurements obtained from the one or more downlink positioning reference signals and the assistance data. Another example method for determining a location of a mobile device includes sending a request for downlink and uplink positioning reference signals to a network server, wherein the request includes downlink positioning reference signal configuration information and uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; receiving uplink configuration parameters based on the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; transmitting one or more uplink positioning reference signals based on the uplink positioning reference signal configuration information; receiving a first assistance data based on the downlink positioning reference signal configuration information; measuring one or more downlink positioning reference signals based at least in part on the downlink positioning reference signal configuration information; receiving a second assistance data based on the one or more uplink positioning reference signal measurements; and determining the location based at least on part on the measurements obtained from the one or more downlink positioning reference signals and the uplink positioning reference signal measurements.