Sidelink Positioning Protocol Layering for Accurate UE Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack effective solutions for sidelink positioning, particularly in applications like V2X communication and public safety scenarios, where traditional UE-based and UE-assisted positioning are less useful, necessitating support for sidelink-based positioning and control signaling.
Innovation Solution
A UE architecture is configured to support sidelink positioning through a ranging support protocol layer that includes device and service discovery, group operation, and ranging-based service control, enabling communication with other UEs via lower protocol layers and providing positioning services based on these interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional UE-based positioning is used, then positioning service is provided, but positioning accuracy and reliability are insufficient in sidelink scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning management function (PMF) and positioning function (PF) as intermediary network entities that coordinate sidelink positioning between UEs. The PMF manages positioning sessions and coordinates measurements, while the PF performs actual positioning calculations, thereby improving both accuracy and reliability compared to direct UE-based positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple functional components: positioning management function (PMF) for session management, positioning function (PF) for measurements and calculations, and application function (AF) for service delivery. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall positioning performance in sidelink scenarios.
2Measurement precision
If sidelink positioning is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing network-side positioning management and positioning functions as intermediaries, the patent offloads complex positioning calculations and coordination from individual UEs to centralized network entities. This reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving positioning accuracy through sophisticated network-side processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning management function and positioning function are designed as universal network entities that can serve multiple UEs and support various positioning methods (e.g., OTDOA, UTDOA, multi-RTT). This multi-functionality reduces the need for UE-specific positioning implementations, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If UE-assisted positioning is used, then positioning service is provided, but effectiveness is reduced in V2X and Public Safety scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces positioning management and positioning functions as intermediary network entities that coordinate sidelink positioning between UEs. The PMF manages positioning sessions and coordinates measurements, while the PF performs actual positioning calculations, thereby improving both accuracy and reliability compared to direct UE-based positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional UE-based or UE-assisted positioning to a network-coordinated sidelink positioning dimension. By adding the network positioning management and positioning functions as a new operational dimension, the system achieves better effectiveness in V2X and Public Safety scenarios where direct UE communication is insufficient.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a user equipment (UE) may implement a ranging support protocol layer comprising one or more ranging support elements. The UE may communicate, using the one or more ranging support elements of the ranging support protocol layer, with a corresponding ranging support protocol layer in one or more other UEs, wherein the communicating is conducted via at least one lower protocol layer implemented at the UE. The UE may provide, at the ranging support protocol layer, a positioning service to an upper protocol layer implemented at the UE, the positioning service based at least in part on the communicating.