Sidelink Positioning Signaling for Multi-TRP UE Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G New Radio (NR) sidelink (SL) protocols do not effectively address positioning sessions between heterogeneous UEs, including single-TRP and multiple-TRP devices, leading to inefficiencies in bandwidth use and resource management.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods for sidelink positioning that allow UEs to determine if an initiator UE can associate with multiple TRPs, enabling either single-TRP or multiple-TRP operations based on capability, and facilitate communication using TRP identifiers for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SL protocol supports heterogeneous UEs (single-TRP and multiple-TRP), then positioning capability is improved, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the discovery request process by having each TRP transmit separate discovery requests with unique TRP identifiers. This allows the protocol to handle multiple TRPs through repeated standardized procedures rather than requiring a completely new heterogeneous protocol framework, thus improving positioning capability while controlling protocol complexity through modular reuse of existing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal discovery request mechanism that works for both single-TRP and multiple-TRP UEs. The same basic discovery request format and processing logic is used universally, with the extension that multiple TRPs simply repeat the process with different TRP identifiers. This multi-functionality approach enables heterogeneous UE support without creating separate complex protocol paths.
2Measurement precision
If multiple TRPs are used for positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic discovery requests where each TRP transmits discovery requests at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission allows multiple TRPs to contribute to positioning accuracy over time while controlling instantaneous bandwidth consumption through time-division multiplexing of the discovery request transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the system to use only as many TRPs as needed for adequate positioning accuracy rather than requiring all available TRPs to transmit simultaneously. The initiator UE can selectively engage with TRPs based on signal quality and positioning requirements, thus achieving sufficient positioning accuracy with partial TRP utilization and reduced bandwidth consumption.
3Productivity
If TRP association capability is determined, then resource management is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs TRP association capability determination during the initial discovery phase before actual positioning operations begin. By establishing TRP associations upfront through discovery requests and responses, the system prepares resource management information in advance, reducing the need for continuous capability negotiation during positioning and thus minimizing ongoing signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables UEs to self-determine TRP association capability through autonomous processing of discovery requests and responses. Each UE independently evaluates TRP identifiers and association capability without requiring centralized coordination or extensive back-and-forth signaling, thus improving resource management efficiency while limiting signaling overhead to the essential discovery exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a target user equipment (UE) may receive, from an initiator UE via an SL interface, a discovery request corresponding to an SL positioning session, wherein the target UE comprises a plurality of transmission/reception points (TRPs). The target UE may determine, from the discovery request, the initiator UE is incapable of associating each TRP of the plurality of TRPs with the target UE. Responsive to determining the initiator UE is incapable of associating each TRP of the plurality of TRPs with the target UE, the target UE may participate in the SL positioning session with the target UE by either: (i) using only one TRP of the plurality of TRPs during the SL positioning session, or (ii) using each TRP of the plurality of TRPs such that each TRP operates as a distinct UE.