Sidelink UE Positioning Through Distributed V2X Measurements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of user equipment (UE) without relying on central entities, particularly in scenarios where direct access to core networks is limited, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased signaling overhead.

Innovation Solution

Implementing sidelink-assisted positioning techniques using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols, where UEs communicate directly to determine their positions through sidelink communications with other UEs, leveraging vehicle mobility and multiple perspectives for improved accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sidelink-assisted positioning is implemented without central network entities, then positioning accuracy is improved and signaling overhead is reduced, but system complexity increases due to direct UE-to-UE communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary positioning protocol layer that mediates between UEs for position determination. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate positioning through coordinated sidelink communications while managing system complexity through standardized interaction patterns between UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning function is segmented into distributed components across multiple UEs rather than centralized in network entities. Each UE performs local measurements and computations, dividing the overall positioning task into manageable segments that reduce signaling overhead while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If direct UE-to-UE sidelink communications are used for positioning, then signaling overhead is reduced, but measurement reliability may deteriorate without central coordination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs exchange measurement results and positioning information through sidelink communications. This feedback loop enables distributed UEs to validate and refine position estimates, maintaining measurement reliability without requiring central network coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple measurement results from different UEs are merged and combined to determine the final position. This combining of independent measurements from multiple sources enhances reliability while utilizing efficient sidelink communications to minimize signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4147500B1Sidelink-assisted positioning
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4147500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4147500B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4147500B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may transmit, to another UE, a positioning request associated with a procedure for determining a position of the UE, wherein the positioning request comprises a first sidelink communication between a first sidelink location management component (S-LMC) of the UE and a second S-LMC of the other UE, wherein the first S-LMC and the second S-LMC comprise sub-functions associated with a vehicle-to-everything protocol layer; receive, from the other UE, a second sidelink communication associated with the procedure for determining the position of the UE; and determine the position of the UE based at least in part on the second sidelink communication. Numerous other aspects are provided.