RedCap NR Device Positioning With Tailored PRS Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reduced capability (redcap) devices in new radio (NR) networks face challenges in providing accurate positioning and location services due to their lower bandwidth, reduced antenna numbers, and other complexity reductions, which impact their ability to measure and process positioning reference signals effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dedicated redcap resources and shared resources for redcap and non-redcap devices, prioritizing positioning operations over scheduling requests based on logical channel priority, aligning discontinuous reception cycles with PRS occasions, and providing specialized PRS configurations through redcap PosSIBs to enhance positioning accuracy and power savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If redcap devices use reduced bandwidth and fewer antennas to lower cost and complexity, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but positioning accuracy and measurement capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring redcap UEs with specific PRS parameters (bandwidth, periodicity, frequency offset) tailored to their reduced capabilities. The network configures positionSIBs with redcap-specific PRS resource settings that optimize positioning measurement within the constraints of redcap device bandwidth and antenna limitations, rather than applying uniform positioning configurations to all UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters including PRS bandwidth (configured within redcap UE capability limits), PRS periodicity (adjusted to match redcap processing capabilities), and frequency offset (aligned with redcap numerology). These parameter adjustments enable positioning functionality adapted to redcap device characteristics while maintaining acceptable positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If redcap devices prioritize PRS reception over SR transmission to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning measurement quality improves, but scheduling request responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring SR dropping rules in the redcap UE based on logical channel priorities. When a PRS occasion is detected, the UE checks against pre-established rules that determine whether to drop SR transmissions, eliminating the need for real-time decision-making and ensuring consistent positioning measurement priority while maintaining essential scheduling requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The network receives positioning measurement reports from redcap UEs and uses this feedback to adjust future PRS configurations and SR resource allocations. This feedback loop enables the network to optimize the balance between positioning accuracy and scheduling responsiveness based on actual measurement quality and traffic patterns.
3Device complexity
If redcap devices operate with reduced processing capability to lower complexity, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but positioning operation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by configuring redcap UEs to perform positioning measurements only during specifically allocated PRS occasions rather than continuously. The UE processes PRS signals during configured measurement windows and remains in low-power state otherwise, reducing processing requirements while maintaining positioning reliability through targeted measurements at critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through configured PRS periodicity that matches redcap UE processing capabilities. Positioning reference signals are transmitted and measured at regular intervals rather than continuously, allowing the redcap UE to maintain positioning functionality with reduced processing load by focusing computational resources on periodic measurement events.
Data Source
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AI summary
A reduced capability (redcap) user equipment (UE) is configured to receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration from a network component and perform one or more positioning operations based at least in part on the PRS configuration. A base station is configured to receive, from a location management function (LMF) of a network, a positioning reference signal (PRS) configuration for a reduced capability user equipment (redcap UE) and transmit PRS to the redcap UE based on the PRS configuration.