Sidelink Positioning Reference Signal Mapping to Avoid DMRS Collisions

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The current 3GPP R18 standard lacks a clear method for configuring the time-frequency position of sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS), leading to potential collisions with DMRS in PSSCH, which affects positioning accuracy and channel estimation performance.

Innovation Solution

A method is provided to send and receive SL-PRS and data in the same slot based on a fixed time-frequency mapping, using configuration information to determine the number of symbols, comb size, and initial symbol and subcarrier locations, ensuring the SL-PRS is positioned to avoid collisions with DMRS and maintain accurate positioning and channel estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If SL-PRS is sent in the same slot as data without fixed time-frequency mapping, then resource utilization is improved, but collision with DMRS occurs affecting positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the time-frequency mapping relationship between SL-PRS and DMRS before actual signal transmission. The mapping manner is determined in advance based on configuration information (number of symbols, comb size, initial symbol location, initial subcarrier location), ensuring that SL-PRS positions are pre-calculated to avoid DMRS collisions while allowing same-slot transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If SL-PRS time-frequency position is not specified, then configuration flexibility is improved, but collision with DMRS in PSSCH occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidchannel estimation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing specific configuration parameters (number of symbols, comb size, initial symbol location, initial subcarrier location) that define the time-frequency mapping manner. These parameters can be adjusted to change the SL-PRS positioning strategy, allowing flexible configuration while ensuring reliable channel estimation by avoiding DMRS collisions through proper parameter selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4694217A1Positioning reference signal configuration method, communication system, and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694217A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP4694217A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4694217A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application discloses a positioning reference signal configuration method, a communication system, and a related apparatus. In the method, an SL-PRS and data may be sent in a same slot based on a specified time-frequency mapping manner. The time-frequency mapping manner describes a time-frequency position of the SL-PRS relative to a DMRS in the data in the same slot, and the DMRS is a reference signal in a PSSCH. In this way, a device that sends the SL-PRS can configure a time-frequency position of the SL-PRS in advance, and sends the SL-PRS on the configured time-frequency position, thereby avoiding a collision between the SL-PRS and the DMRS in the PSSCH.