Relay Apparatus Sequence Differentiation for Location Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems using relay apparatuses, the delay in radio wave propagation leads to positioning errors when estimating the location of terminal devices, as the relay processing introduces delays that are misinterpreted as longer distances, resulting in inaccurate location determination.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a relay apparatus that uses distinct sequences for reference signals, allowing base station devices to differentiate between directly received and relayed signals, enabling correction of reception timing to account for relay processing delays, thereby improving location estimation accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If relay apparatus is used to expand coverage area, then coverage area is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to relay processing delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies sequence differentiation similar to color coding to distinguish between direct and relayed signals. By using different sequences (first sequence for direct signals, second sequence for relayed signals), the system can identify signal paths and adjust positioning calculations accordingly, resolving the contradiction between expanded coverage and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the relay apparatus inform the base station about relay processing through sequence identification. This feedback mechanism allows the base station to compensate for relay delays in positioning calculations, maintaining accuracy while using relay for coverage expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Area of stationary object

If relay processing is performed, then signal coverage is improved, but time delay increases leading to positioning error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal coverageVSAvoidtime delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces sequence information as an intermediary element that carries metadata about the signal path. This intermediary allows the base station to understand the time delay introduced by relay processing without affecting the actual signal transmission, thus maintaining coverage while accounting for time loss in positioning calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If sequence differentiation is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the sequence parameter of reference signals to encode relay information. By modifying this single parameter (sequence selection based on signal path), the system achieves improved positioning accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity, as the change operates at the signal processing level rather than requiring new hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240178906A1Relay apparatus, network node, control method, and computer-readable storage medium for improving location estimation accuracy

Publication Date: 2024.05.30 KDDI CORP

AI summary

A relay apparatus that relays a wireless signal received from a terminal device to a base station device performs control such that if a predetermined reference signal generated using a first sequence is received from the terminal device, the relay apparatus relays, to the base station device, the predetermined reference signal corresponding to a signal generated using a second sequence corresponding to the first sequence, the second sequence being not used by the terminal device to generate the predetermined reference signal.