SUPL Location Platform Control Plane Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) solutions are limited in supporting uplink and uplink-downlink positioning methods, as they cannot interact with base stations or network entities to request ultralocation measurements, restricting their ability to improve location performance and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

An extended SUPL solution that enables interaction with the control plane by providing a UE associated Correlation ID and AMF identifier, allowing the SUPL Location Platform to transfer NRPPa messages through the Access and Mobility Management Function to the base station, supporting uplink and uplink-downlink position methods like UL-AOA and multi-RTT.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If SUPL solution uses traditional user plane signaling only, then signaling simplicity is maintained, but positioning method support is limited (cannot support uplink and uplink-downlink methods)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning method supportVSAvoidsignaling architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges control plane and user plane location solutions by enabling the SLP to interact with both UE and base stations through integrated signaling paths. This allows SUPL to support uplink and uplink-downlink positioning methods while maintaining a unified architecture that combines the simplicity of user plane signaling with the capabilities of control plane interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the SLP as an intermediary entity that bridges the user plane and control plane. The SLP transfers NRPPa messages between the UE and base stations, enabling positioning methods that require control plane interaction while maintaining user plane signaling efficiency. This intermediary role allows the system to support diverse positioning methods without requiring complete architectural overhaul.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If SUPL solution interacts with base stations for uplink measurements, then location accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the SLP multi-functional by enabling it to perform both traditional user plane location services and control plane interactions. The SLP can now support multiple positioning methods (downlink, uplink, and uplink-downlink) through a single platform, reducing the need for separate systems and minimizing overall system complexity while improving location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the positioning functionality into distinct message types (SUPL messages for user plane, NRPPa messages for control plane interactions) that can be independently managed and processed. This segmentation allows the system to handle different positioning methods through standardized message exchanges, reducing complexity through modularity while enabling precise measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If SUPL solution implements control plane interaction, then positioning flexibility is enhanced, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic signaling where the SLP adapts its interaction mode based on the positioning method required. For downlink methods, traditional user plane signaling is used; for uplink and uplink-downlink methods, control plane interactions are dynamically activated. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain flexibility while minimizing signaling overhead by only activating control plane interactions when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the signaling parameters (message types, protocols, and transmission paths) based on the specific positioning method being used. By dynamically adjusting signaling parameters rather than maintaining fixed signaling paths, the system achieves positioning flexibility while optimizing signaling overhead for each specific scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4111768B1Support of control plane positioning methods with a user plane location solution

Publication Date: 2024.01.31 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

A user equipment (UE) and a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP) support a SUPL positioning session for at least one uplink or uplink-downlink position method, such as uplink Angle of Arrival or multi-Round Trip Time. To support SUPL positioning for uplink or uplink-downlink position methods, the UE provides an identifier for a serving Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and an identifier for the UE to the SLP in a SUPL message. The SLP may exchange positioning messages with a serving base station for the UE using the identifier for the serving AMF and the identifier for the UE. The exchange of positioning messages may enable the SLP to request the serving base station to instigate transmission of uplink positioning reference signals by the UE which may be a key enabler for an uplink or uplink-downlink position method.