Spatial Relations for Positioning in Wireless Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges in accurately locating user equipment due to the lack of necessary assistance data, which affects positioning accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining and configuring spatial relations between downlink and uplink reference signals in both serving and neighboring cells to facilitate precise positioning, allowing user equipment to transmit uplink reference signals according to these relations, thereby enhancing location estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spatial relations between downlink and uplink reference signals are determined and configured, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network node determines spatial relations between downlink and uplink reference signals in advance before positioning measurements are performed. This preliminary configuration of spatial relation information enables the user equipment to properly align its transmit and receive antenna configurations, thereby improving positioning accuracy without adding complexity during the actual measurement process
Solution Approach 2:
Spatial relation information acts as an intermediary parameter that connects downlink reference signal configurations with uplink reference signal transmissions. This intermediary enables the user equipment to derive appropriate transmit antenna configurations from receive antenna configurations, resolving the complexity of direct coordination between network and device
2Productivity
If spatial relations are configured for both serving and neighboring cells, then positioning efficiency is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial relation configuration is segmented into serving cell spatial relations and neighboring cell spatial relations. This segmentation allows the user equipment to process and apply spatial relation information separately for different cells, improving positioning efficiency through multi-cell measurements while managing information processing loads through organized, cell-specific configuration data
3Measurement precision
If uplink reference signal transmission is configured according to determined spatial relations, then location estimation precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial relation configuration enables dynamic adjustment of uplink reference signal transmission parameters based on the determined spatial relationship with downlink signals. By optimizing transmission parameters such as beam direction and antenna configuration according to the spatial relation, the system achieves higher location estimation precision while minimizing energy consumption through targeted, rather than omnidirectional, transmissions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Embodiments include methods for a positioning node coupled to a radio access network (RAN). Such methods include determining first spatial relations between downlink reference signals (DL-RS) and uplink reference signals (UL-RS) used for positioning in a first cell served by a first RAN node; and determining second spatial relations between DL-RS and UL-RS used for positioning in one or more second cells served by a second RAN node. The first cell is a serving cell for a user equipment (UE) and the second cells are neighbor cells to the first cell. Such methods include configuring the UE to transmit UL-RS according to the first and second spatial relations. Embodiments include complementary methods for the first RAN node and for the UE, as well as positioning nodes, RAN nodes, and UEs configured to perform such methods.Figure 10 is selected for publication.