RIS Scheduling for Accurate Sidelink PRS Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately measuring positioning reference signals (PRS) due to interference and signal reflection, which hampers precise positioning in 5G networks, particularly in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technologies for autonomous driving applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) that can be controlled to switch between enabled and disabled states, allowing for precise measurement of PRS signals by adjusting their reflective properties, enabling accurate time-of-arrival measurements through controlled signal paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reconfigurable intelligent surfaces are always enabled to provide signal reflection, then coverage and signal availability are improved, but measurement precision of direct paths deteriorates due to interference between direct and reflective paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal availabilityVSAvoiddirect path measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The RIS is configured to alternately switch between enabled and disabled states in a periodic manner. During enabled states, the RIS provides reflective paths for coverage enhancement. During disabled states, only direct paths are available for accurate measurement. This periodic switching allows the system to collect both coverage data and precise measurement data at different time instances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs measurements during predetermined time intervals when the RIS is scheduled to be in specific states. The UE is configured to measure PRS signals during both enabled and disabled states of the RIS, allowing preliminary collection of measurement data before final positioning calculations are performed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If reconfigurable intelligent surfaces are always disabled to avoid interference, then measurement precision of direct paths is improved, but coverage and signal availability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect path measurement accuracyVSAvoidsignal availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The RIS operates in periodic cycles alternating between enabled and disabled states. During disabled states, measurement precision is maximized for direct path measurements. During enabled states, signal availability and coverage are enhanced through reflective paths. This periodic operation ensures both measurement accuracy and signal reliability are achieved at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement process is segmented into different time intervals corresponding to different RIS states. The system separates measurement operations into phases where direct path measurements are performed during disabled states and coverage enhancement is utilized during enabled states, allowing each function to operate optimally without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If reconfigurable intelligent surfaces switch states frequently to provide both direct and reflective path measurements, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidRIS control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RIS follows a periodic switching pattern with predetermined periods for enabled and disabled states. This regular periodic operation simplifies the control logic compared to arbitrary frequent switching, as the system can anticipate state transitions based on the established period, reducing control complexity while maintaining the ability to provide both measurement types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the UE reports measurement results from both direct and reflective paths, and the location server processes this information to determine accurate position. The feedback loop allows the system to achieve high positioning precision through coordinated switching and measurement reporting without requiring overly complex real-time control of the RIS states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances the accuracy of PRS measurements by distinguishing direct and reflective paths, improving positioning precision in 5G networks and supporting advanced V2X communication for autonomous driving.

Implementation Method 1

reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) that can be controlled to switch between enabled and disabled states, allowing for precise measurement of PRS signals by adjusting their reflective properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4718884A1Reconfigurable intelligent surface enabled sidelink positioning
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4718884A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4718884A1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4718884A1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

In an aspect, a user equipment (UE) may control one or more reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) in accordance with one or more RIS schedules that indicate times when the one or more RIS are in an enabled state and times when the one or more RIS are in a disabled state. The UE may request at least one participating UE of one or more participating UEs to transmit at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) in a PRS resource. The UE may measure the at least one PRS from the at least one participating UE in accordance with the RIS schedule to make one or more measurements of the at least one PRS when the one or more RIS are in the disabled state and to make one or more measurements of the at least one PRS when the one or more RIS are in the enabled state.