Sidelink Terminal Positioning Using Control Signaling and SL-PRS

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 5G NR sidelink (SL) system lacks support for positioning technology, particularly for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) services and public safety services, necessitating a solution for terminal positioning in the SL system.

Innovation Solution

A terminal positioning method involving the transmission of control signaling to indicate transmission information of positioning reference signals, including time domain resource allocation, resource indication, and existence indication fields, to facilitate positioning reference signal allocation and determination of round-trip time between terminals for accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If positioning technology is added to the SL system, then positioning capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control signaling structure is designed to serve multiple purposes: it indicates both communication resource allocation and positioning reference signal transmission information. By making the control signaling multi-functional, the patent adds positioning capability without requiring separate dedicated signaling structures, thus avoiding excessive system complexity while achieving the desired adaptability improvement

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures time domain resource allocation fields, resource indication fields, and existence indication fields in the control signaling to carry positioning reference signal transmission information in advance. This preliminary preparation of signaling structures enables positioning functionality to be activated without complex real-time negotiations, reducing system complexity while improving positioning capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple fields are added to control signaling for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges positioning-related information (time domain resource allocation, resource indication, existence indication) into existing control signaling structures rather than creating separate dedicated signaling messages. By combining positioning information with communication control signaling, the patent reduces redundant signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient positioning accuracy through the integrated fields

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a flexible field configuration where only necessary positioning fields are activated based on specific positioning requirements. Not all positioning fields are always transmitted - the system selectively includes fields such as time domain resource allocation fields, resource indication fields, or existence indication fields depending on the positioning scenario, thus avoiding excessive signaling overhead while maintaining required positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4694214A1Terminal positioning method, first terminal, and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4694214A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4694214A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4694214A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

Provided in the present disclosure are a terminal positioning method, a first terminal, and an apparatus, wherein the method is applied to a first terminal. The method comprises: sending control signaling to a second terminal, wherein the control signaling is used for indicating transmission information of a positioning reference signal which is used in sidelink positioning, and the transmission information is used for positioning a first terminal or the second terminal.