Sidelink Positioning Reference Signal Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sidelink (SL) positioning for 3GPP Release 18, there is no reference signal (RS) designed specifically for positioning, and existing RSs like CSI-RS require large bandwidth, leading to collisions and inefficiencies due to the absence of a central controller, necessitating new mechanisms for resource allocation and collision avoidance.

Innovation Solution

Development of an SL-PRS in a frequency/time domain pattern, with a UE procedure for transmitting and receiving SL-PRS, including determining a resource pool for reception, decoding SL control information, and configuring SL-PRS resources within the positioning slot to ensure low latency and scalable deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing RS like CSI-RS is reused for SL positioning, then positioning function can be implemented, but bandwidth requirement increases and collisions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning functionVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SL positioning function by introducing a dedicated SL-PRS signal separate from existing RS resources. This segmentation allows positioning to occur without competing for bandwidth with other signals, resolving the contradiction between implementing positioning and avoiding bandwidth increase/collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces SL-PRS as an intermediary resource specifically designed for SL positioning. This intermediary signal type acts as a mediator that enables positioning functionality without requiring existing RS resources, thereby avoiding the bandwidth and collision issues that would result from reusing CSI-RS or other existing RS.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If distributed resource allocation is used without central controller, then SL autonomy is improved, but collision avoidance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSL autonomyVSAvoidcollision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having UEs perform sensing and resource selection in advance before transmitting SL-PRS. The sensing phase allows UEs to identify available resources and avoid collisions proactively, maintaining distributed autonomy while ensuring reliable collision avoidance through pre-planned resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs monitor the SL channel for ongoing transmissions and adjust their SL-PRS resource selection accordingly. This feedback loop enables distributed UEs to autonomously avoid collisions by reacting to channel conditions and other UE transmissions, maintaining SL autonomy while ensuring reliable collision avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230319857A1Method and apparatus for sidelink positioning

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are provided in which a user equipment (UE) determines a resource pool for reception of a sidelink (SL)-positioning reference signal (PRS). The UE receives a slot and determines whether the slot includes resources in the resource pool for the SL-PRS. The UE decodes SL control information (SCI) of the slot using a first format for the SL-PRS, in case that the slot includes the resources in the resource pool.