Sidelink Positioning Reference Signals for Out-of-Coverage UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing positioning reference signals for vehicles in out-of-coverage areas, particularly in scenarios where network-based positioning is not applicable or unable to meet Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, such as in tunnels or areas with limited Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) coverage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves proactive configuration of additional Road Side Units (RSUs) or anchors based on user equipment (UE) detection, activating SL PRS transmissions dynamically and providing UE with a list of SL PRS configurations, including priority orders and thresholds for switching between configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network-based positioning is used in coverage areas, then positioning accuracy is improved, but in out-of-coverage areas like tunnels or areas with limited GNSS coverage, positioning capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration of SL PRS parameters and anchor component information before the UE enters out-of-coverage areas. The network infrastructure proactively provides positioning reference signal configurations including frequency, time resources, and power settings to UEs while they are still in coverage, enabling immediate positioning functionality upon entering tunnels or GNSS-denied environments without waiting for signal detection or network reconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sidelink positioning reference signals as an intermediary mechanism that enables positioning in out-of-coverage areas by using direct UE-to-UE or UE-to-anchor communications without requiring traditional network infrastructure. This intermediary approach bypasses the need for network-based positioning by creating alternative positioning paths through device-to-device signal exchange
2Productivity
If additional anchor components are configured dynamically based on UE detection, then positioning efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by configuring positioning resources specifically and selectively for UEs in out-of-coverage areas rather than uniformly for all UEs. The network infrastructure identifies UEs entering out-of-coverage zones and provides targeted SL PRS configurations only to those specific UEs, optimizing positioning efficiency where needed while minimizing unnecessary signaling for UEs in normal coverage conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The network infrastructure proactively configures SL PRS parameters and anchor component information before UEs actually need positioning in out-of-coverage areas. By preparing positioning configurations in advance and providing them proactively, the system reduces the need for repeated signaling exchanges when UEs enter challenging environments, thereby improving positioning efficiency while controlling signaling overhead
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing positioning references signals in a sidelink communication. The method includes: obtaining, by a network infrastructure, from an anchor component, a notification regarding a presence of at least one user equipment (UE) in the sidelink communication; determining at least one additional anchor component based on the notification; and transmitting information regarding the determined at least one additional anchor component to the at least one UE.