PRS Configuration for Repeater Coverage Ambiguity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face ambiguity in determining the coverage area of repeaters, which affects positioning accuracy in 5G networks, particularly due to the complexity in configuring and measuring positioning reference signals across multiple time-domain resources.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a location server transmits a positioning reference signal configuration to network nodes, indicating specific sets of resources to be transmitted on different time-domain resources, and user equipment measures these signals to report back, allowing the server to determine if it is within the repeater's coverage area based on the measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If positioning reference signals are transmitted on multiple time-domain resources through repeaters, then positioning accuracy is improved, but measurement ambiguity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning reference signal transmission by dividing time-domain resources into distinct sets (first set for direct transmission, second set for repeater transmission). This segmentation allows the system to separately configure and measure signals from different transmission paths, reducing measurement ambiguity while maintaining positioning accuracy through multiple measurement opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server performs preliminary configuration by indicating to network nodes which specific time-domain resources should be used for transmitting positioning reference signals toward repeaters versus direct transmission. This advance configuration enables network nodes and user equipment to properly distinguish and measure signals from different paths, reducing complexity during the actual positioning measurement phase.
2Measurement precision
If positioning reference signals are transmitted toward repeaters on specific time-domain resources, then repeater coverage determination is improved, but signal configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission characteristics to different time-domain resource sets. Specifically, positioning reference signals transmitted on the second set of time-domain resources are configured with the understanding that they will be transmitted toward repeaters, while signals on the first set are for direct transmission. This localized differentiation helps user equipment and network nodes determine repeater coverage areas by measuring signals specifically intended for repeater paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server acts as an intermediary by providing configuration information to network nodes about which time-domain resources should be used for repeater-directed transmissions. This intermediary configuration reduces the complexity burden on network nodes and user equipment, as they rely on the location server's centralized configuration rather than independently determining the complex resource allocation.
3Reliability
If multiple sets of positioning reference signal resources are configured on different time-domain resources, then positioning reliability is improved, but measurement and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by transmitting positioning reference signals at different time instances across multiple time-domain resource sets. This periodic transmission pattern allows user equipment to measure signals from both direct and repeater paths at scheduled intervals, improving positioning reliability through multiple measurement opportunities while managing the overall measurement time through structured periodicity rather than continuous measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for communication. In an aspect, a location server transmits, to a network node, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a plurality of PRS resources, wherein the PRS configuration indicates a first set of PRS resources of the plurality of PRS resources to be transmitted on a first set of time-domain resources and a second set of PRS resources of the plurality of PRS resources to be transmitted on a second set of time-domain resources, and wherein the second set of PRS resources is configured to be transmitted towards a repeater associated with the network node, and receives, from a user equipment (UE), a measurement report including measurements of the first set of PRS resources, the second set of PRS resources, or both, or a position estimate of the UE determined based on the first set of PRS resources, the second set of PRS resources, or both.