Sidelink PRS Positioning for UE Coverage Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the positioning of user equipment (UE) in environments where radio coverage is limited or absent, particularly in scenarios involving sidelink communication between UEs.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing sidelink (SL) communication for UE-based positioning by transmitting and receiving positioning reference signals (PRS) between UEs, employing frequency ranges FR1 and FR2 for assistance data and PRS transmission, respectively, to enable precise measurements such as time of arrival, angle of arrival, and signal strength, with support from base stations for configuration and coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional base station-based positioning methods are used, then positioning accuracy is maintained in covered areas, but positioning becomes impossible in areas with limited or no radio coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment (UE) as an intermediary for positioning measurements. Instead of relying solely on base stations, UEs act as intermediate positioning references that can be measured by other UEs directly through sidelink communication. This enables positioning in areas without base station coverage while maintaining accuracy through UE-based reference signal transmission and measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional positioning architecture by making UEs the active transmitters of positioning reference signals rather than passive targets. In conventional systems, base stations transmit and UEs are positioned; in this patent, UEs transmit positioning reference signals that other UEs measure, enabling decentralized positioning in coverage-limited environments.
2Area of stationary object
If positioning reference signals are transmitted over wide area, then positioning coverage is improved, but signal strength and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning system into localized UE-to-UE measurement pairs rather than a centralized wide-area system. Each UE performs measurements on nearby transmitting UEs through sidelink, creating multiple localized positioning zones. This segmentation maintains signal strength and measurement precision in each local pair while achieving overall wide area coverage through the network of localized measurements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sidelink communication is used for positioning, then positioning in coverage-limited areas is enabled, but system complexity increases due to additional signaling and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sidelink communication interface serve dual functions: both data communication and positioning measurements. The same PC5 interface used for V2X and other sidelink communications is also used for transmitting and measuring positioning reference signals. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning hardware or protocols while maintaining positioning capability in diverse environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes causing, at a first user equipment (UE), transmission of at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) to a second UE via a sidelink (SL) communication based on first positioning assistance data. The transmission enables the second UE to determine positioning measurements from at least part of the at least one PRS.