Dynamic UE Sidelink Ranging Merge for Lower Signaling Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed wireless communication systems, multiple UEs independently initiate overlapping ranging sessions, leading to excessive signaling overhead and delays due to unlicensed spectrum usage, which undermines accurate positioning and ranging for vehicles and pedestrians.

Innovation Solution

A UE, such as an RSU or anchor UE, monitors and combines independent ranging sessions into a single combined ranging session, adjusting the duration based on the speed of initiator UEs, to reduce overhead and improve accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If multiple UEs independently initiate ranging sessions, then ranging and positioning can be performed in a distributed manner, but signaling overhead becomes excessively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistributed ranging initiationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple independent ranging sessions into a single coordinated ranging session. When a UE detects that it is participating in multiple ranging sessions initiated by different UEs, it merges these sessions by selecting one as the primary session and canceling the others. This reduces the total number of ranging sessions and their associated signaling messages, directly addressing the excessive signaling overhead while maintaining distributed operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple ranging sessions occur simultaneously, then positioning accuracy can be maintained for multiple UEs, but delays increase due to unlicensed spectrum usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidranging delays
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of ongoing ranging sessions before initiating new ones. A UE monitors for a predetermined period to detect if it is already participating in another ranging session, and only initiates a new session if no conflicting session is detected. This periodic check mechanism prevents overlapping sessions that would cause delays, while still allowing multiple UEs to perform positioning accurately through coordinated session management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple ranging sessions are monitored and combined, then signaling overhead is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidsession monitoring and combining logic
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a self-service mechanism where each UE autonomously monitors its own participation in ranging sessions and makes independent decisions about session initiation or cancellation. When a UE detects it is already participating in a ranging session, it automatically cancels potential duplicate sessions without requiring centralized coordination. This self-service approach reduces signaling overhead while keeping device complexity manageable through localized decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4298451B1Dynamic merge and separation of ranging sessions in UE-enabled sidelink positioning
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4298451B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4298451B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4298451B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Independent ranging sessions that are initiated by multiple initiating user equipments (UEs) are monitored and combined into a single combined ranging session to reduce overhead. A UE monitors a first set of ranging sessions initiated by a first initiator UE, which include pre-ranging messages identifying UEs in the first set of ranging sessions, and monitors a second set of ranging sessions initiated by a second initiator UE, which include pre-ranging messages identifying UEs in the second set of ranging sessions. The UE initiates a third set of ranging sessions by broadcasting pre-ranging messages identifying UEs in the third set of ranging sessions that comprises the UEs in the first set of ranging sessions and the UEs in the second set of ranging sessions. The original initiator UEs, upon receiving the pre-ranging messages initiating the third set of ranging sessions, terminate the initiation of their ranging sessions.