PRS Configuration for Narrowband Wireless Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing support for Positioning Reference Signals (PRS) in wireless networks is not optimal for eMTC and NB-IOT UEs due to narrowband processing limitations, leading to suboptimal positioning accuracy and increased network complexity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple PRS configurations by a location server and mobile device, allowing UEs to communicate their PRS capability parameters and receive tailored PRS configuration information for improved positioning measurements, including PRS bandwidth, subframe configurations, and frequency hopping options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple PRS configurations are implemented to support eMTC and NB-IOT UEs, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PRS configuration into multiple independent configuration sets, each optimized for specific UE capabilities (eMTC, NB-IOT, or legacy LTE). The location server divides the positioning task by selecting appropriate PRS configurations based on UE capability parameters, allowing narrowband UEs to use simplified configurations while wideband UEs use enhanced configurations, thereby improving positioning accuracy without forcing all devices to handle complex multi-configuration scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and activates specific PRS configurations based on real-time UE capability reporting. The UE communicates its supported PRS capability parameters to the location server, which then dynamically chooses the appropriate configuration set. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize positioning accuracy for each UE type while managing complexity through conditional activation rather than permanent multi-configuration support in all devices.
2Productivity
If PRS capability parameters are communicated between UE and location server, then positioning measurements are optimized, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential PRS capability parameters that are necessary for configuration selection and transmits them between UE and location server. Rather than exchanging complete configuration sets or excessive capability information, the system identifies and communicates only the critical parameters needed to determine appropriate PRS configurations. This extraction approach optimizes positioning measurements by enabling accurate configuration matching while minimizing network overhead by transmitting only the minimum necessary information.
3Ease of operation
If PRS configuration is optimized for narrowband processing, then eMTC and NB-IOT UE performance is improved, but wideband positioning capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal PRS configuration framework that can accommodate multiple UE types (narrowband eMTC/NB-IOT and wideband legacy LTE) through a single system architecture. The location server acts as a universal controller that selects from multiple PRS configuration sets based on UE capability. This allows narrowband UEs to benefit from optimized narrowband configurations while wideband UEs can utilize enhanced wideband configurations, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate positioning systems for different UE categories.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for supporting multiple configurations of reference signals for OTDOA positioning in a wireless network. In an aspect, a UE sends to a location server, a message indicating reference signal characteristics supported by the UE, where the reference signal characteristics include a UE supported reference signal bandwidth. The UE then receives from the location server, positioning assistance data including reference signal configuration parameters for each cell of a plurality of cells transmitting reference signals according to the UE supported reference signal bandwidth. The UE may then perform positioning measurements for one or more of the plurality of cells transmitting the reference signals based on the reference signal configuration parameters for each cell of the plurality of cells.