Positioning Reference Signal Overlap for Frequency-Hopping Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

The configuration of overlap size between PRS/SRS resources in wireless communication systems with frequency hopping is not specified, leading to potential issues with transmission and reception of reference signals.

Innovation Solution

A terminal determines the overlap size in the frequency domain between resources based on a time domain gap, allowing for appropriate reception of reference signals with frequency hopping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frequency hopping is applied to reference signals for positioning, then positioning capacity is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to phase shift between hopping resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capacityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing frequency domain overlapping between hopping resources to counteract the phase shift degradation before it fully impacts positioning accuracy. The overlapping resources create a compensating effect that preserves signal coherence across hops, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy while preserving the capacity benefits of frequency hopping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Measurement precision

If frequency domain overlapping is applied to compensate for phase shift, then positioning accuracy is improved, but resource configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidresource configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the overlap size parameter to establish a relationship with time domain gap. This parameterization approach transforms a complex configuration problem into a manageable set of defined parameters, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy through optimized overlap settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If overlap size is increased to compensate for phase shift, then positioning accuracy is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the overlap size adaptive rather than static. The overlap size dynamically adjusts based on the time domain gap between resources, creating an optimized balance between positioning accuracy and resource efficiency. This dynamic approach ensures minimal overlap (maximizing efficiency) while maintaining sufficient overlap (ensuring accuracy) for each specific hopping configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4668916A1Terminal, communication method, and radio communication system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4668916A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668916A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668916A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal includes: a control unit configured to determine a size of an overlap in a frequency domain between a first resource and a second resource, the first resource and the second resource corresponding to a reference signal used for positioning, and frequency hopping being applied to the reference signal; and a reception unit configured to receive the reference signal, based on the determined size. The control unit determines the size of the overlap between the first resource and the second resource, based on a gap in a time domain between the first resource and the second resource.