Coordinated PRS Beam Scheduling for 5G UE Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, especially in 5G NR, the existing OTDOA positioning technique faces challenges in accurately receiving Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) from multiple base stations due to lack of beam coordination, leading to incomplete PRS reception by User Equipment (UE), which affects positioning estimation accuracy and availability.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where base stations coordinate the transmission of PRS on directional beams to ensure that multiple PRS signals are received by the UE within a predetermined time period, minimizing interference through resource multiplexing and scheduling, and utilizing beam index identifications and AoA/AoD information for precise OTDOA measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base stations transmit PRS on directional beams without coordination, then each base station can independently optimize its beam transmission, but the UE cannot receive sufficient PRS signals from multiple base stations within a short time frame due to interference and lack of synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures and communicates beam direction information and PRS transmission schedules to base stations in advance. This preliminary coordination ensures that when PRS transmission occurs, base stations are already synchronized and the UE can efficiently receive signals from multiple base stations within a predetermined time period without experiencing interference or delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The network acts as an intermediary that coordinates PRS transmission between multiple base stations. By managing the scheduling and beam direction information centrally, the network ensures synchronized transmission timing and resource allocation, enabling the UE to receive sufficient PRS signals from multiple base stations within a short time frame while minimizing interference.
2Measurement precision
If base stations use directional beams for PRS transmission, then transmission precision and signal strength are improved, but interference between simultaneous transmissions from multiple base stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures beam direction information and transmission schedules for each base station before PRS transmission begins. This advance coordination ensures that directional beams from multiple base stations are synchronized and resource-allocation is optimized, allowing the UE to receive precise measurements while minimizing interference through predetermined timing and resource separation.
Solution Approach 2:
PRS transmission is organized in periodic bursts with coordinated timing across multiple base stations. By scheduling PRS transmissions in synchronized periodic intervals and using beam direction information to identify specific beams, the system maintains high measurement precision while reducing interference through time-division and beam-specific resource allocation.
3Area of stationary object
If the UE uses an omni-directional antenna for receiving PRS, then signal reception coverage is maximized, but positioning accuracy decreases due to inability to determine beam direction
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures and communicates beam direction information to the UE before PRS transmission. This allows the UE to use an omni-directional antenna for broad signal reception coverage while simultaneously determining the specific beam direction based on the configured information and signal characteristics, thereby maintaining both wide coverage and precise positioning measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE measures PRS signals from multiple base stations and reports measurements including beam direction information to the network. The network uses this feedback to refine positioning estimates and determine the UE's location with high precision, even when the UE employs an omni-directional antenna for reception.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a base station includes determining a schedule associated with transmission by the base station of a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) on a plurality of directional beams, the plurality of directional beams having directions corresponding to at least a portion of a plurality of configurable beam directions, the schedule being based on a coordination of the PRS transmission by the base station with PRS transmission on directional beams from at least one other base station; and transmitting the PRS on each of the plurality of directional beams based on the determined schedule.