Sidelink Terminal Positioning Using Multiple Assistant Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional positioning technologies face limitations in achieving high accuracy, particularly in scenarios where user equipment is beyond network coverage or lacks sufficient cell signals, making it difficult to meet the requirements of diverse applications such as internet of vehicles, autonomous driving, and smart logistics.

Innovation Solution

A communication method involving multiple assistant terminals sending sidelink positioning measurement data to a core network device, which calculates the location of a to-be-located terminal, enhancing accuracy by leveraging multiple data points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single assistant terminal is used for positioning, then the positioning process is simple, but the positioning accuracy is limited and cannot meet high-precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is segmented into multiple assistant terminals instead of using a single assistant terminal. Each assistant terminal independently measures sidelink positioning data and reports to the core network device, which then synthesizes multiple measurement results to achieve high-precision positioning of the to-be-located terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple assistant terminals are merged into a collaborative positioning system. The core network device combines positioning measurement data from multiple assistant terminals to calculate the location of the to-be-located terminal, thereby improving positioning accuracy through data fusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple assistant terminals are deployed to improve positioning accuracy, then positioning precision increases, but the system complexity and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem coordination ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The core network device acts as an intermediary that coordinates multiple assistant terminals. It receives positioning measurement data from each assistant terminal, manages the data collection process, and performs the location calculation, thereby simplifying the coordination complexity for individual terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Each assistant terminal independently performs sidelink positioning measurement and autonomously reports the measurement data to the core network device without requiring complex inter-terminal coordination, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If assistant terminals send measurement data to different network devices, then data distribution is simplified, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to inability to perform centralized multi-point calculation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnetwork device coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The location calculation function is extracted from individual assistant terminals and centralized in the core network device. This allows all positioning measurement data from multiple assistant terminals to be collected and processed in one centralized location, enabling accurate multi-point positioning calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4686230A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4686230A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4686230A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4686230A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, and relates to the field of wireless communication technologies. The method includes: A to-be-located terminal obtains an identifier of a core network device. The to-be-located terminal sends first information to a plurality of assistant terminals, where the first information indicates the assistant terminals to send measurement data to the core network device, the measurement data includes sidelink positioning measurement data between the assistant terminals and the to-be-located terminal, and the measurement data sent by the plurality of assistant terminals is used by the core network device to calculate a location of the to-be-located terminal. According to the communication method provided in embodiments of this application, the plurality of assistant terminals can participate in positioning of a same to-be-located terminal, to improve positioning accuracy of the to-be-located terminal.