Positioning Reference Signal Priority in 5G Measurement Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning methods in 5G wireless networks face challenges in efficiently prioritizing processing of positioning reference signals, leading to suboptimal location determination reliability and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

A user equipment (UE) is configured to prioritize processing of positioning reference signals by determining whether to measure or transmit them relative to other reference signals or channels, considering factors such as measurement gaps and signal structures, thereby improving the priority of positioning signal processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If positioning reference signals are processed with equal priority to other reference signals and channels, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is maintained, but location determination reliability deteriorates and processing latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination reliabilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the priority parameter of positioning reference signals relative to other reference signals and channels. By assigning higher priority values to positioning reference signals, the system ensures they are processed first, improving location determination reliability without requiring fundamental changes to the processing architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary prioritization of positioning reference signals before processing occurs. By pre-configuring priority levels and using measurement gaps to isolate positioning signal processing, the system prepares the processing pipeline in advance, ensuring positioning signals are handled with appropriate priority while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If positioning reference signals are measured without measurement gaps, then productivity is improved by reducing processing time, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from other signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidpositioning signal measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal processing timeline by introducing measurement gaps - specific time intervals dedicated exclusively to positioning reference signal measurements. During these gaps, other downlink signals are suspended, allowing precise positioning measurements without interference, while minimizing the impact on overall processing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic measurement gaps at strategically determined intervals to capture positioning reference signals. This periodic approach ensures regular positioning updates while maintaining efficient use of processing resources, balancing measurement precision requirements with overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If multiple reference signals and channels are processed simultaneously, then productivity is improved by parallel processing, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing throughputVSAvoidpositioning measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specialized processing conditions for positioning reference signals during measurement gaps. In these dedicated time intervals, the system focuses processing resources exclusively on positioning signals, ensuring high measurement precision, while allowing parallel processing of other signals during non-gap periods to maintain overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12500718B2Positioning signal prioritization

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A UE includes a processor configured to determine whether to prioritize processing of a first reference signal relative to a priority reference that comprises a second reference signal and/or a priority reference channel. The first reference signal comprises a positioning reference signal. To determine whether to prioritize processing the processor is at least one of: configured to determine whether to measure, absent a measurement gap, the first reference signal (a first downlink reference signal) instead of the second reference signal; or configured to determine whether to measure, absent the measurement gap, the first downlink reference signal instead of a downlink channel; or configured to determine whether to transmit the first reference signal, comprising a first uplink reference signal, instead of a second uplink reference signal; or configured to determine whether to transmit the first uplink reference signal instead of transmitting on the priority reference channel.