Positioning Method Switching Policy for User Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular communication networks face challenges in achieving high accuracy for user equipment positioning, particularly in dynamic environments and with reduced capability user equipment, where traditional methods may not provide sufficient precision for various use cases.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that establish a switching policy between different positioning methods or functionalities, using computational models to determine confidence levels and switch between one-step and two-step positioning approaches based on these levels, allowing for dynamic adaptation of positioning techniques within a session.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional positioning methods are used in cellular communication networks, then the implementation is simple and legacy-compatible, but the positioning accuracy is insufficient for dynamic environments and reduced capability user equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between one-step and two-step positioning methods based on confidence levels. The network determines a confidence level for the one-step method output, and when this confidence level falls below a threshold, it automatically switches to the two-step method. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high positioning accuracy in challenging conditions while using simpler methods when appropriate, directly resolving the contradiction between accuracy and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If one-step positioning method is used, then the computational complexity is reduced and processing is faster, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates in dynamic environments and for reduced capability user equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the network evaluates the confidence level of the one-step positioning method's output. When the confidence level is insufficient, the system switches to the two-step method. This feedback loop ensures that computational simplicity is maintained only when accuracy requirements are met, while automatically improving accuracy when the one-step method's confidence level drops below acceptable thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If two-step positioning method is used, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic method selection based on real-time confidence level assessment. The system uses the computationally intensive two-step method only when necessary (when one-step confidence level is below threshold), and relies on the faster one-step method when conditions permit. This dynamic approach minimizes processing time while maintaining high accuracy when needed, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4443996A1Determining a positioning method or functionality for positioning a user equipment
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4443996A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4443996A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP4443996A1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4

AI summary

Disclosed is a method comprising establishing a switching policy for switching between a first and a second positioning methods or functionalities that are for positioning a user equipment, providing an indication regarding the switching policy to the user equipment, wherein the switching policy comprises an indication of a computational model that is to be used by the user equipment or an access node for the first positioning method or functionality, receiving, from the user equipment or the access node, a first confidence level associated with an output of the computational model used by the user equipment or the access node for the first positioning method or functionality, and determining, based on the confidence level, if a positioning method or functionality, that is being used, is to be switched from the first positioning method or functionality to the second positioning method or functionality.