Sidelink Assisted Positioning Using Common SRS Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently positioning multiple user equipment (UEs) in 5G networks, particularly when there is insufficient line of sight to base stations.
Innovation Solution
The method involves broadcasting common sounding reference signals (SRS) by a target UE, which are received and measured by both base stations and other UEs. These measurements are then used by a positioning entity to determine the position of the target UE, potentially using angular measurements to resolve mirror symmetry issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional base station-based positioning is used, then positioning can be performed in line-of-sight conditions, but positioning fails or becomes inaccurate when line of sight to base stations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines traditional base station positioning with sidelink-based UE positioning by having UEs transmit common SRS that can be measured by both base stations and other UEs. This merging of positioning paths allows the system to maintain reliability when line-of-sight to base stations is blocked, as UEs can alternatively use measurements from other UEs via sidelink channels to determine position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces assisting UEs as intermediaries in the positioning process. These assisting UEs receive common SRS from the target UE and provide measurement reports to the positioning entity, enabling the target UE to be positioned even when direct line-of-sight to base stations is unavailable. The assisting UEs act as mediators that bridge the positioning gap in non-line-of-sight conditions.
2Productivity
If separate positioning procedures are used for different UEs, then each UE can be positioned independently, but the positioning process becomes inefficient and resource-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal common SRS resource that serves multiple UEs simultaneously for positioning purposes. Instead of each UE transmitting separate dedicated SRS, a single common SRS resource can be measured by multiple assisting UEs and base stations, enabling joint positioning of multiple UEs. This multi-functional approach significantly improves positioning efficiency while reducing signaling overhead and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning procedures for multiple UEs by having them share common SRS resources and assisting UE measurements. The positioning entity can determine positions of multiple target UEs using the same set of assisting UEs and common SRS transmissions, eliminating redundant signaling and measurements that would occur with separate positioning procedures for each UE.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate reference signals are transmitted for different positioning purposes, then comprehensive positioning measurements can be obtained, but system complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the common SRS resource universal by configuring it to serve both uplink positioning measurements (by base stations) and sidelink positioning measurements (by assisting UEs) simultaneously. This single multi-functional reference signal replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated reference signals for different positioning paths, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing signaling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Positioning of one or more user equipments (UEs) is performed using broadcast common sounding reference signals (SRS) resources for positioning. The common SRS that is broadcast by a UE is received and measured by one or more base stations and one or more other UEs. The other UEs may have known positions and may server as anchor nodes for positioning. The other UEs may have known positions and may serve as a positioning (anchor) node or may have unknown positions and may be jointly positioned with the target UE. During joint positioning, each of the other UEs may similarly broadcast a common set of SRS that is received and measured by the base stations and other UEs for positioning. An angular measurement of the SRS broadcast by one or more UEs may be measured and used to resolve minor symmetry in positioning solutions.