Shared Cell Positioning via Transmission Point Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, positioning measurements in shared cells are inaccurate due to transmission points sharing the same cell identity, making it difficult to distinguish between signals from different transmission points, leading to large positioning errors based on cell identity alone.

Innovation Solution

The method involves obtaining and comparing results of additional radio measurements to determine the specific transmission point that transmitted the signal for positioning measurements, associating this information with the target device's identity and using it to improve positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple transmission points share the same cell identity in a shared cell, then coverage of synchronization and control channels is improved through signal combining, but positioning measurement accuracy deteriorates because signals from different transmission points cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the positioning measurement process by introducing additional measurement types (uplink timing measurements, downlink signal strength measurements) that can individually identify which transmission point transmitted the signal. This segmentation allows the system to separate the identification function from the positioning function, resolving the contradiction between signal combining and signal distinction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses additional radio measurements as intermediary indicators to identify the transmitting transmission point. These intermediary measurements (such as uplink timing measurements or downlink signal strength measurements) serve as mediators that bridge the gap between the shared cell identity and the specific transmission point, enabling accurate positioning without requiring unique cell identities for each transmission point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional positioning methods use only cell identity to identify transmission points, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to inability to distinguish between multiple transmission points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing radio measurement mechanisms multi-functional by using them for both traditional radio resource management purposes and for transmission point identification in positioning scenarios. For example, uplink timing measurements and downlink signal strength measurements serve dual purposes: resource management and transmission point identification. This universality avoids adding complex new identification mechanisms while improving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters used for transmission point identification from relying solely on cell identity to incorporating additional measurement parameters such as timing measurements and signal strength measurements. By changing the identification parameters, the system can distinguish between transmission points sharing the same cell identity without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3036948B1Positioning in a shared cell
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3036948B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3036948B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3036948B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method is implemented by a node in a wireless communication system (10). The method includes obtaining (110) the results of one or more first radio measurements performed on one or more first radio signals transmitted or received by geographically separated transmission points, TPs, (20) of a shared cell. The method also includes determining (120), using the obtained results and from among the TPs (20) that transmit second radio signals based on the same cell identity, the particular TP (20) that transmits the second radio signal on which a positioning measurement is performed for determining a target wireless communication device's position. The method finally entails using (130) information related to the determined TP (20) to perform one or more positioning tasks.