RIS Reflection Steering for Precise UE Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inaccuracies in determining user equipment positions due to non-line of sight communication, multipath fading, and high network overhead, particularly in urban environments and with non-stationary devices.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing adaptive phase-changing devices (APDs) with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) to steer and reflect high-frequency wireless signals around obstructions, enabling precise position determination of user equipment without coordinating with other base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If non-line of sight communication is used to determine user equipment position, then communication coverage is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to multipath fading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary element to enable line-of-sight communication paths in environments where direct paths are blocked. The reflective surface acts as a mediator that creates alternative signal paths, allowing the base station to receive clear reflections from the user equipment even when direct line-of-sight is obstructed by buildings or other structures.
2Measurement precision
If multiple base stations coordinate to determine user equipment position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and network overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single base station to independently determine user equipment position by utilizing reflective surfaces. The base station transmits signals that reflect off surfaces and return to it, allowing it to calculate position based on time-of-flight measurements without needing to coordinate with or aggregate data from multiple base stations. This self-service approach eliminates complex inter-base-station communication and data aggregation requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional position determination methods are used, then network overhead is reduced, but position determination speed decreases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single base station to independently determine user equipment position by utilizing reflective surfaces. The base station transmits signals that reflect off surfaces and return to it, allowing it to calculate position based on time-of-flight measurements without needing to coordinate with or aggregate data from multiple base stations. This self-service approach eliminates complex inter-base-station communication and data aggregation requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurate and rapid user equipment positioning is achieved with reduced latency and network overhead by using APDs to control signal reflections, overcoming LoS obstructions and multipath effects.
Implementation Method 1
adaptive phase-changing devices (APDs) with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) to steer and reflect high-frequency wireless signals
Implementation Method 2
The APDs steer reflections of the wireless signals in a direction, such as toward the UE, based on a configuration of the RISs of the APDs
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques and apparatuses are described for determining a position of user equipment (UE, 110) by using adaptive phase-changing devices (APDs, 181, 182, 183). In aspects, a base station (120) transmits wireless signals (731, 732, 733) for a UE toward respective reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) of adaptive phase-changing devices (APDs, 181, 182, 183). The APDs may direct reflections (732, 734, 736) of the wireless signals in a direction, such as toward the UE (110), based on a configuration of the RIS of the APD (180). The base station (120) receives, from the UE (110) via a wireless connection (540), identifiers of the reflections (732, 734, 736) of the wireless signals that are received by the UE (110). In some cases, the base station (120) also receives a signal quality parameter associated with the reflection reaching the UE. The base station (120) determines angular information based on the respective identifiers and/or signal quality parameters of the reflections (732, 734, 736). Based on the angular information and known positions of the APDs (181, 182, 183), the base station (120) determines a position of the UE (110).