Position Estimate Using Transmission Beam Properties

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current positioning techniques for wireless communication devices, such as OTDOA in 3GPP cellular networks, face challenges in achieving high accuracy and reliability due to limitations in determining the precise angle of arrival and transmission properties of positioning signals, especially in multipath environments.

Innovation Solution

The method involves access nodes receiving reference signals from wireless communication devices, determining reception properties and identifiers associated with transmission properties, and providing these to a location server node to enhance position estimation. This includes using antenna arrays to measure angles of arrival and transmitting reference signals with specific beam properties to improve accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional positioning techniques (OTDOA) are used, then positioning functionality is provided, but positioning accuracy is insufficient due to inability to determine precise angle of arrival and transmission properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtransmission property information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs beam sweeping and transmits reference signals with different beam properties before positioning measurement. The transmission properties (beam identifiers, angles of departure) are predetermined and associated with each reference signal, preparing the information needed for accurate positioning in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary message is introduced between the UE and AN that carries both the reference signal and its associated transmission property information (beam identifier, angle of departure). This intermediary enables the AN to access transmission properties that would otherwise be unavailable, resolving the information loss problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If angle of arrival determination is improved, then positioning accuracy increases, but system complexity increases due to need for antenna arrays and beam property tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle of arrival determination accuracyVSAvoidantenna array and beam tracking complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE itself provides the transmission property information (angles of departure, beam identifiers) that would otherwise need to be measured by the AN. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex AN measurement systems while maintaining high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the AN measure the angle of arrival of incoming signals, the inversion approach has the UE report its transmitted beam properties (angle of departure) directly. This inverted measurement approach simplifies the AN while achieving the same positioning objective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If transmission properties are incorporated into positioning calculation, then position estimate accuracy reaches sub-meter level, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition estimate accuracyVSAvoiddata processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Only the essential transmission property information (beam identifier, angle of departure) is extracted and transmitted in the intermediary message, rather than sending complete beam configuration data. This extraction approach provides sufficient information for sub-meter accuracy while minimizing data processing requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The proposed solution enhances the accuracy and reliability of position estimates by incorporating transmission properties and angles of departure, enabling sub-meter level position accuracy and orientation determination, addressing the limitations of existing techniques.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more access nodes may determine the respective reception properties of the positioning signals, e.g. the respective angle of arrival of the positioning reference signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle of arrival measurement:

Implementation Method 2

receiving, from a wireless communication device, UE, on a radio channel, a reference signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation:

Data Source

PatentUS20240064694A1Position estimate based on transmission beam properties

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Examples provide a method of operating an access node (AN), wherein the method comprises receiving, from a wireless communication device, UE, on a radio channel, a reference signal; determining a reception property of the reference signal; determining an identifier of the reference signal from the reference signal, wherein the identifier is associated with a transmission property of the reference signal; and providing, to a location server node (LN), a message indicative of the reception property of the reference signal and the identifier of the reference signal. According to further aspects, a method of operating a wireless communication device, a method of operating a location server node, a wireless communication device, an access node and a location server node are provided.