Positioning Measurement Gaps During 5G NR BWP Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in configuring measurement gaps for positioning measurements when there is bandwidth part (BWP) switching, leading to potential failures due to the inability of user equipment (UE) to quickly request and configure measurement gaps in response to BWP switching by the serving base station.
Innovation Solution
The UE and serving base station coordinate the activation and deactivation of measurement gaps using dedicated measurement gaps, prioritizing mobility or data transmissions when collisions occur, and utilizing PHY or MAC CE signaling for efficient gap management during BWP switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE requests measurement gap configuration via RRC signaling after BWP switching, then the measurement gap can be configured for positioning measurements on different frequency layers, but the BWP switching speed is much faster than the UE's ability to respond via RRC, causing positioning measurement failure
Solution Approach 1:
The serving base station proactively determines and configures measurement gap patterns based on assistance data received from the positioning server, before the UE needs to request them. This preliminary configuration ensures measurement gaps are available when needed for positioning measurements on different frequency layers, eliminating the timing conflict between BWP switching and RRC response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the UE provides BWP configuration information to the serving base station, which then uses this feedback to determine appropriate measurement gap patterns. This closed-loop approach ensures the base station has accurate information about the UE's active BWP and can configure measurement gaps accordingly.
2Reliability
If the serving base station configures dedicated measurement gaps for positioning measurements, then positioning measurements can be performed on different frequency layers, but collisions may occur with mobility measurements or data transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement gap configuration is segmented into multiple patterns (first measurement gap pattern for mobility measurements, second measurement gap pattern for positioning measurements). Each pattern operates independently with its own timing and parameters, allowing the system to manage different types of measurements separately and resolve collisions through pattern selection and prioritization rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and switches between different measurement gap patterns based on current operational requirements. The serving base station can activate or deactivate specific patterns depending on whether positioning measurements, mobility measurements, or data transmissions are prioritized at any given time, making the measurement gap management adaptive rather than static.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a UE and its serving base station to coordinate the activation and deactivation of measurement gaps for performing positioning measurements by the UE using target positioning reference signals (PRS) during bandwidth part (BWP) switching. The UE may be configured by the serving base station to have dedicated measurement gaps. The UE determines if a legacy measurement gap used for mobility measurements or a scheduled data transmission collides with the dedicated measurement gaps. If there is a collision, the UE performs the mobility measurement using the legacy measurement gap or transmits the scheduled data. If there is no collision, the UE receives the PRS to perform the positioning measurement during the dedicated measurement gaps. In one embodiment, based on the status of the active BWP and the target PRS, the UE or the base station may activate or deactivate measurement gaps for the positioning measurements.