Sidelink Aided TDOA Positioning for RedCap UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reduced capability user equipment (UEs), such as RedCap UEs, face limitations in detecting or providing reference signals due to limited bandwidth, reduced antenna capabilities, and baseband processing limitations, which affect their ability to communicate with distant base stations and receive accurate positioning signals, leading to reduced positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of sidelink aided positioning methods, where neighboring UEs with increased capabilities transmit sidelink signals to RedCap UEs, allowing them to determine time difference of arrival (TDOA) values based on received and transmitted reference signals, independent of synchronized time across wireless nodes, thereby improving positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If RedCap UEs use traditional positioning methods with limited bandwidth and antenna capabilities, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to inability to detect reference signals from distant base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces neighboring UEs as intermediary nodes that relay reference signals from base stations to the RedCap UE. These neighboring UEs with superior hardware capabilities receive, process, and forward positioning reference signals, enabling the RedCap UE to obtain high-quality signals that it could not detect directly due to its limited bandwidth and antenna capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional direct base station-UE positioning to a multi-hop sidelink-based positioning architecture. By adding the dimension of intermediate relay nodes (neighboring UEs) in the signal path, the system enables positioning measurements for RedCap UEs without requiring them to directly receive weak signals from distant base stations.
2Area of stationary object
If RedCap UEs attempt to receive reference signals from distant base stations with limited processing capabilities, then coverage area is extended, but measurement precision deteriorates due to baseband processing limitations
Solution Approach 1:
Neighboring UEs act as intermediaries that perform baseband processing of reference signals before relaying them to the RedCap UE. This distributes the processing burden and ensures that the RedCap UE receives pre-processed, high-quality signals even from distant base stations, maintaining measurement precision while extending effective coverage.
3Device complexity
If traditional TDOA positioning is used without sidelink assistance, then system complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to synchronization errors and low-quality reference signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sidelink communication channels as intermediaries for transmitting assistance data and reference signals between neighboring UEs and the RedCap UE. This additional communication path improves reliability by providing alternative signal sources and synchronization references, compensating for the limitations of direct base station signals.
4Ease of operation
If RedCap UEs use standard positioning protocols without sidelink aid, then ease of operation is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to inability to perform accurate TDOA measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing sidelink communication protocols as intermediaries to transmit positioning assistance data and reference signals. This approach maintains ease of operation by leveraging already-deployed sidelink infrastructure while significantly improving TDOA measurement accuracy through enhanced signal quality provided by neighboring UEs.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for sidelink aided time difference of arrival (TDOA) based positioning methods. An example method of determining a time difference of arrival value includes receiving a first reference signal at a first time, wherein the first reference signal is transmitted from a first wireless node using a first radio access link, receiving a. second reference signal at a second time, wherein the second reference signal is transmitted from a second wireless node using a second radio access link, receiving assistance data including at least a transmit delay time value based, on a time the first reference signal is received by the second wireless node, and a time the second reference signal is transmitted by the second wireless node, and determining the time difference of arrival value based at least in part on the first time, the second time and the transmit delay time value.