Sidelink PRS Comb-Level Sensing for Vacant RE Resource Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sidelink (SL) positioning reference signal (PRS) resource allocation methods fail to efficiently utilize all available resources due to reliance on linear power measurements, leading to underutilization of resource elements (REs) and difficulty in selecting optimal comb-level resources for SL PRS transmission.

Innovation Solution

A multi-step sensing method involving RB-level and RE-level power measurements with adjustable thresholds and comb parameters is employed to dynamically select resources for SL PRS transmission, ensuring efficient use of available resources by identifying vacant REs within RBs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If linear power measurement methods are used for SL PRS resource allocation, then the implementation is simple, but the resource utilization is inefficient and REs are underutilized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource allocation process into two distinct measurement levels: RB-level power measurements for initial resource block identification, and RE-level power measurements for precise resource element selection. This segmentation enables more granular control over resource allocation, allowing the system to identify and utilize previously overlooked REs while maintaining a structured approach to resource selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by performing RE-level power measurements on specific resource elements within RBs rather than treating all RBs uniformly. By measuring power at the individual RE level and comparing against thresholds, the system can identify vacant REs with precise local knowledge, enabling selective transmission on only those REs that are actually available, thus improving overall resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If RB-level power measurements only are used, then the measurement process is fast, but the accuracy of resource selection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement speedVSAvoidresource selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by first performing RB-level power measurements to quickly identify candidate RBs that may contain vacant REs. This preliminary filtering step reduces the search space before conducting more time-consuming RE-level measurements, thereby maintaining measurement speed while improving selection accuracy. Only RBs that pass the initial threshold check undergo detailed RE-level analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimension (RB-level) measurement approach to a two-dimensional measurement framework by introducing RE-level measurements within selected RBs. This dimensional expansion allows the system to examine power characteristics at a finer granularity, significantly improving resource selection accuracy by identifying specific vacant REs rather than treating entire RBs as uniform units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If multi-step sensing with comb parameters is implemented, then the resource allocation accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the measurement granularity adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically selects between RB-level and RE-level measurements based on configured thresholds and comb parameters. This dynamic approach allows the system to adjust its complexity level according to deployment requirements, achieving high accuracy when needed while maintaining flexibility in system configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by introducing configurable thresholds and comb parameters that control the measurement process. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between accuracy and complexity for different deployment scenarios. The comb parameters specifically control which REs are measured at the fine level, enabling precise control over measurement scope and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4440025B1Comb-level sensing for sidelink positioning reference signal resource selection
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4440025B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4440025B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4440025B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method includes obtaining a first power measurement associated with resource blocks (RBs) being utilized by a terminal device (TD). The method includes determining whether the first power measurement satisfies a first threshold. The method includes, upon determining that the first power measurement satisfies the first threshold, transmitting, to a target TD, a positioning reference signal (PRS). The method includes, determining whether the first power measurement does not satisfy the first threshold and, in response, determining a set of comb parameters. The method includes obtaining, based on the set of comb parameters, a second power measurement associated with resource elements (REs) related to the RBs. The method includes determining whether the second power measurement satisfies a second threshold. The method includes, upon determining that the second power measurement satisfies the second threshold, transmitting, based on the set of comb parameters, the PRS to the target TD.