Propagation Path Reporting for Accurate NLOS Cellular Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cellular positioning systems, the non-line of sight (NLOS) distances between base stations and terminal devices introduce significant measurement deviations, leading to inaccuracies in positioning due to the inability to measure direct line of sight (LOS) distances, which are obstructed by obstacles like trees or buildings.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first device measures and reports a first measurement result and information about a propagation path to a positioning device, enabling the positioning device to improve accuracy by considering multiple measurement results with similar propagation path information, thereby enhancing positioning accuracy in NLOS scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If cellular positioning measures distance between base stations and terminal devices, then positioning function is achieved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to NLOS conditions introducing large deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy in NLOS scenario
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning measurement process by separating measurements from different propagation paths (LOS and NLOS). The terminal device independently measures positioning reference signals from multiple base stations, obtaining multiple measurement results corresponding to different propagation paths. This segmentation allows the system to identify and utilize LOS path measurements while excluding NLOS path measurements, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving positioning function and maintaining measurement accuracy in NLOS conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the terminal device reports measurement results and propagation path information to the network device. The network device uses this feedback to determine whether each measurement result corresponds to a LOS or NLOS path. Based on this feedback, the network device can selectively use high-quality LOS measurements for positioning calculations, improving positioning accuracy while maintaining reliability in NLOS scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the terminal device reports multiple measurement results to the positioning device, then positioning accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning device processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and reports only the essential information needed for positioning accuracy improvement. Instead of reporting all possible measurement data, the terminal device reports measurement results along with key propagation path information (such as path type indicators). The positioning device extracts and processes only the relevant LOS path measurements from this filtered information, reducing processing complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs preliminary processing of measurement results before reporting, organizing measurements by propagation path type and identifying LOS paths. This preliminary action reduces the burden on the positioning device, which only needs to perform final positioning calculations using the pre-processed, high-quality LOS measurement data, thereby improving accuracy without proportionally increasing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4701295A1Signal measuring and reporting method, positioning method, and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4701295A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4701295A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4701295A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a signal measurement and reporting method, a positioning method, and a related apparatus, for a first device to send a first measurement result and information about a first propagation path to a positioning device. This helps improve accuracy of positioning the first device or a second device by the positioning device. The method in embodiments of this application includes: The first device measures a positioning reference signal sent by the second device, to obtain the first measurement result, where the first measurement result corresponds to the first propagation path, and the first propagation path is a propagation path between the first device and the second device; and the first device sends the first measurement result and the information about the first propagation path to the positioning device.