Sidelink Positioning Reference Signal Allocation Using Shared DCI

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Solution Overview

Problem

In sidelink communication systems where a base station controls resource allocation, there is a challenge in effectively scheduling positioning reference signal resources for terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

A network device schedules a positioning reference signal resource for a terminal device using downlink control information (DCI), allowing the terminal device to send positioning reference signals on allocated resources, with DCI indicating various transmission modes and resource types to optimize resource utilization and positioning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If terminal devices autonomously sense positioning reference signal resources in sidelink communication systems, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but resource collision and positioning accuracy deteriorate due to uncoordinated resource selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The network device acts as an intermediary to coordinate positioning reference signal resource allocation. It receives positioning reference signal resource requests from terminal devices, determines appropriate resources, and allocates them through downlink control information, thereby preventing resource collisions while maintaining allocation flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where terminal devices send positioning reference signal resource requests to the network device, and the network device responds with resource allocation decisions through DCI, enabling coordinated resource management that improves positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the network device schedules positioning reference signal resources using DCI, then positioning accuracy is improved through coordinated resource allocation, but indication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidindication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The downlink control information format is designed to serve multiple purposes: it schedules both data transmissions and positioning reference signal resources using the same DCI structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate indication mechanisms, thereby reducing overall indication overhead while maintaining accurate resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines positioning reference signal resource scheduling with existing data scheduling DCI formats. By merging the positioning resource indication into the same DCI structure used for data scheduling, the system reduces the total number of separate control messages needed, thereby reducing indication overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4697833A1Communication method and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4697833A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4697833A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5A
  • EP4697833A1 patent drawingFigure 5B~6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and a related apparatus, to enable a network device to schedule a first positioning reference signal resource for a first terminal device. The method in embodiments of this application includes: The first terminal device sends a first request to the network device, where the first request is for requesting a positioning reference signal resource. The first terminal device receives first downlink control information DCI from the network device, where the first DCI indicates the first positioning reference signal resource scheduled for the first terminal device.