Sidelink Resource Allocation for Out-of-Coverage Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sidelink positioning systems face challenges in improving key-performance-indices such as horizontal and vertical accuracy, positioning service availability, latency, and energy consumption, especially in scenarios where terminal devices are out of direct gNB coverage and require autonomous resource allocation and reference signal management.

Innovation Solution

The system enables sidelink positioning by allowing terminal devices to autonomously select and allocate resources, transmit indications for sidelink positioning sessions, and process resource allocation information for efficient sidelink positioning reference signal transmission and reception, even when out of direct gNB coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminal devices autonomously allocate sidelink resources for positioning sessions, then positioning service availability and latency are improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning service availabilityVSAvoidresource allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements autonomous resource allocation where terminal devices independently select and allocate sidelink resources for positioning sessions without network intervention. The first terminal device receives resource allocation requests from second terminal devices, autonomously selects appropriate resources from available pools, and allocates them directly, enabling positioning services to continue even when out of network coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the resource allocation process into distinct functional segments: resource request reception, resource selection based on positioning requirements, resource allocation decision-making, and resource assignment communication. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall complex allocation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If terminal devices autonomously manage reference signals, then positioning accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-configuration of positioning reference signals and resource pools before actual positioning sessions. Terminal devices pre-select and allocate resources in advance based on predicted positioning needs, and pre-configure reference signal parameters. This preliminary action reduces real-time processing requirements and energy consumption during actual positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If terminal devices operate out of direct gNB coverage, then positioning service availability is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning service availabilityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sidelink resource pool as an intermediary resource structure that terminal devices can access autonomously. This resource pool acts as a mediator between terminal devices and the network, allowing devices to allocate resources directly from the pool without continuous network intervention, thus maintaining efficiency while operating out of coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4391691A1Positioning resource allocation
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4391691A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4391691A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4391691A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Example embodiments may relate to an apparatus, method and/or computer program for sidelink positioning and resource allocation between devices. The method may comprise transmitting, from a first terminal device to a second terminal device, an indication that the second terminal device has been selected for involvement in a sidelink positioning session of the first terminal device. The method may also comprise receiving, at the first terminal device from the second terminal device, a first request for sidelink resource allocation to allow for performance of the sidelink positioning session by the second terminal device. The method may also comprise transmitting, from the first terminal to a network node, a second request for allocating sidelink resources to the second terminal device for performance of the sidelink positioning session by the second terminal device. The method may also comprise receiving, at the first terminal device from the network node, sidelink resource allocation information for performance of the sidelink positioning session by the second terminal device, and transmitting the sidelink resource allocation information from the first terminal device to the second terminal device.