PRS Assistance Data Validity for RRC_INACTIVE Positioning

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and storing positioning reference signal (PRS) data in the RRC_INACTIVE state before the terminal needs to perform positioning. The network provides assistance data including PRS configuration information in advance, allowing the terminal to retain this data during RRC_INACTIVE state and perform positioning measurements without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED state, thus maintaining positioning accuracy while improving availability.

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing assistance data as a mediator between the network and terminal. This assistance data includes PRS configuration information that is provided to the terminal in RRC_CONNECTED state and then utilized during RRC_INACTIVE state. The assistance data acts as a bridge, enabling the terminal to access necessary positioning information without establishing a full RRC connection, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and availability.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the PRS data acquisition process into multiple sources: system information blocks (SIBs) and dedicated messages. The assistance data is segmented into different types (first assistance data from SIBs, second assistance data from dedicated messages), allowing the terminal to obtain positioning information through multiple channels. This segmentation reduces system complexity by distributing the data collection process while maintaining reliability through cross-validation of PRS data from different sources.

The patent implements universality by making the assistance data structure multi-functional. The same assistance data framework is used to convey PRS configuration information from both system information and dedicated messages. The terminal processes both types of assistance data through a unified mechanism, reducing the complexity of handling different data sources while ensuring reliable positioning through multiple data acquisition paths.

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-providing assistance data including PRS configuration information to the terminal before it transitions to RRC_INACTIVE state. The terminal stores this pre-configured data and uses it to perform positioning measurements while in RRC_INACTIVE state, eliminating the need to transition to RRC_CONNECTED state for positioning operations. This maintains positioning precision while significantly reducing energy consumption by keeping the terminal in the low-power INACTIVE state.

The patent uses copying by creating a copy of the necessary positioning data (PRS configuration information) that can be stored and reused during RRC_INACTIVE state. Instead of maintaining a full RRC connection that would consume more energy, the terminal copies the essential assistance data from the network and stores it locally. This copied data suffices for performing positioning measurements, achieving both low energy consumption and maintained precision.