Signaling Timing Offset Between Stations for UE Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density wireless communication environments, existing positioning methods face challenges in scalability and accuracy due to variations in station timelines and lack of network synchronization, particularly in areas like stadiums and IoT installations, where messaging and bandwidth limitations hinder precise location determination of user equipment (UE).
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting and receiving positioning reference signals between stations to determine a timeline difference value, which is then provided to UE to calibrate observed time differences of arrival, enhancing positioning accuracy by integrating timeline calibration into UE positioning calculations and broadcasting or signaling this value within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing positioning methods are used in high-density wireless communication environments, then positioning can be performed, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to variations in station timelines and lack of network synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining and signaling timeline difference values between stations before positioning measurements are performed. The location server obtains timeline difference values from gNBs and provides them to the UE in advance through positioning protocol messages, enabling the UE to compensate for timing variations during positioning calculations and thereby improving positioning accuracy in non-synchronized networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the location server as an intermediary to manage timeline difference information. The location server obtains timeline difference values from gNBs, processes this information, and provides it to the UE through positioning protocol messages. This intermediary approach allows centralized management of timing calibration data without requiring direct synchronization between all network elements
2Measurement precision
If timeline calibration is implemented between stations, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional signaling and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timeline difference determination function from the UE and places it in the network infrastructure (gNBs and location server). The gNBs determine their own timeline differences with neighboring gNBs, and the location server manages the collection and distribution of these values. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on the UE while maintaining positioning accuracy improvements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces timeline difference values as new parameters in the positioning protocol. These parameters are transmitted through existing positioning message structures (LPP, NRPPa), changing the state of the positioning system by adding calibration data without fundamentally altering the protocol architecture. The timeline difference values are included as additional fields in existing message types
3Measurement precision
If positioning reference signals are exchanged between stations for timeline calibration, then timeline difference values can be determined, but bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes positioning reference signals multi-functional by using them for both traditional UE positioning measurements and inter-station timeline calibration. The same DL-PRS signals transmitted by gNBs for UE positioning are also used by gNBs to measure arrival times and determine timeline differences. This eliminates the need for separate calibration signals, maintaining bandwidth efficiency while enabling timeline synchronization
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provide for calibrating device timelines for use in passive positioning of user equipment (UE). An example method for passive positioning of a user equipment includes receiving a first positioning reference signal from a first device at a first time, receiving a second positioning reference signal from a second device at a second time, receiving a timeline difference value associated with the first device and the second device, and determining a time difference of arrival between the first positioning reference signal and the second positioning reference signal based at least in part on the timeline difference value.