Repeater PRS Muting for Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately positioning user equipment (UE) due to the introduction of errors caused by repeaters, which reflect positioning reference signals (PRS) leading to distance estimation inaccuracies and channel energy responses that include multipaths.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where repeaters receive a muting pattern configuration to selectively mute PRS resources, either in time, frequency, or both, to mitigate the impact of repeaters on positioning accuracy, thereby improving the precision of UE location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If repeaters are used to extend coverage, then coverage area is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to multipath reflections and distance estimation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful reflected PRS signals from the system by configuring repeaters to mute specific PRS resources. The network entity provides muting pattern configurations that identify which PRS resources are reflected by repeaters, and these resources are then excluded from positioning measurements, effectively removing the source of positioning errors while maintaining coverage extension benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selectively muting only the specific PRS resources that are reflected by repeaters, rather than muting all PRS resources system-wide. The muting pattern configuration targets specific time-frequency resources where reflections occur, allowing positioning measurements to continue on non-reflected resources while blocking only the harmful localized reflections
2Area of stationary object
If repeaters repeat all PRS resources, then signal coverage is improved, but positioning error increases due to inability to distinguish direct and reflected paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network entity pre-identify and configure muting patterns for PRS resources that will be reflected by repeaters before positioning measurements are performed. The network entity determines which resources are susceptible to reflection and proactively configures the repeater to mute those specific resources, preventing the loss of path distinction information before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The muting pattern configuration acts as an intermediary mechanism between the network entity and the repeater. It conveys information about which PRS resources should be muted to prevent harmful reflections, enabling the repeater to selectively block reflected signals while maintaining coverage extension functionality without completely preventing signal repetition
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for wireless communication. In an aspect, repeater receives a muting pattern configuration associated with at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) transmitted by a base station, the at least one PRS comprising one or more PRS resources of at least one PRS occasion, receives at least one PRS resource of the one or more PRS resources from the base station, and mutes the at least one PRS resource based on the muting pattern configuration.