PRS Configuration and Measurement Gaps for Low-Latency UE Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing positioning reference signals (PRS) for accurate UE location determination, particularly in dense configurations, leading to increased latency and reduced spectral efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of optimized PRS configurations with reduced periodicity and frequency hopping, along with enhanced measurement gap requests and configurations, to improve UE location estimation accuracy and reduce latency in 5G networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If positioning reference signals are configured with higher density for accurate UE location determination, then positioning accuracy is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidspectral efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic PRS configuration where the network can adjust PRS periodicity and density based on UE mobility state, service type, and positioning accuracy requirements. Mobile UEs receive less frequent PRS while stationary UEs receive more frequent PRS, optimizing spectral efficiency while maintaining necessary positioning accuracy for different scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different PRS configuration parameters to different UEs or different geographic regions based on local requirements. High-accuracy positioning areas receive denser PRS configurations, while areas with lower requirements use sparser configurations, thereby optimizing overall spectral efficiency while maintaining local positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If positioning reference signals are transmitted with higher density for accurate UE location determination, then positioning accuracy is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of PRS periodicity based on UE mobility and service requirements. For low-latency services or stationary UEs where high accuracy is needed, PRS frequency is increased. For mobile U or services tolerating higher latency, PRS frequency is reduced, thereby optimizing the trade-off between positioning accuracy and latency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables UE to request dedicated measurement gaps in advance for positioning measurements. The network configures these gaps proactively based on UE capabilities and service requirements, allowing UEs to perform positioning measurements during pre-allocated gaps without impacting ongoing data transmissions, thus reducing measurement latency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If dedicated measurement gaps are configured for positioning measurements, then positioning accuracy is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements measurement gaps on demand rather than continuously. UEs request dedicated measurement gaps only when positioning measurements are needed, and the network allocates gaps selectively based on service requirements. This partial allocation approach ensures positioning accuracy when needed while minimizing impact on data transmission efficiency during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts measurement gap configuration based on real-time service requirements, UE mobility state, and network conditions. When low-latency data transmission is priority, measurement gaps are reduced or eliminated. When positioning accuracy becomes critical, measurement gaps are activated or increased, optimizing the dynamic trade-off between positioning and data transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4165920B1Positioning optimizations for multiplexing low latency downlink traffic
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4165920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4165920B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4165920B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques for wireless communication. In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) receives, from a network entity, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration indicating a pattern of PRS resources transmitted by at least one network node, and transmits a proposed measurement gap pattern to a serving network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern enabling the UE to measure at least a subset of PRS resources transmitted by each of the at least one network node, the proposed measurement gap pattern determined based on the pattern of PRS resources.