Target Device Displacement Reporting for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately positioning target devices, especially indoors, due to battery-consuming methods and varying UE capabilities in translating sensor measurements to displacement estimates, leading to uncertainty in location server quality and inadequate sensor usage in certain environments.
Innovation Solution
A method where the target device determines displacement relative to a reference position based on location source measurements and reports this displacement along with a reference time to the network node, allowing the node to calculate the absolute position, even without GNSS measurements, and reducing data transmission, thereby improving positioning accuracy and network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional positioning methods are used, then positioning coverage is provided, but battery consumption increases and positioning accuracy deteriorates indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The target device autonomously determines its own displacement using onboard sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, barometric pressure sensor) without requiring continuous assistance from network nodes or external positioning infrastructure. The device performs self-positioning by integrating sensor measurements over time, eliminating the need for battery-consuming traditional positioning methods while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional electromagnetic positioning methods (signal-based positioning requiring continuous communication) with a mechanical/inertial sensing approach. By using inertial sensors to measure acceleration and integrating to obtain displacement and position, the system achieves positioning without continuous radio communication, significantly reducing battery consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensor measurements are used for positioning, then indoor positioning capability is improved, but uncertainty in displacement estimation quality increases due to varying UE capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The network node receives information from the target device about the quality or reliability of the determined displacement (e.g., uncertainty metrics, sensor quality indicators). Based on this feedback, the network node can assess the reliability of the positioning data and adjust its trust in or reliance on the sensor-based displacement estimates, thereby managing the variability in UE capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of positioning parameters based on environmental conditions and device capabilities. The target device can change which sensors are active or how measurements are weighted based on current operating conditions (e.g., motion state, environmental interference), and the network node adjusts its processing based on received quality indicators, adapting to varying UE capabilities.
3Loss of substance
If displacement-based positioning is implemented, then data transmission is reduced, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate without GNSS measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential positioning information (displacement and reference position) from the target device and transmits it to the network node, rather than transmitting continuous raw sensor data or maintaining constant communication links. This selective extraction of critical positioning parameters significantly reduces data transmission while enabling the network node to calculate absolute position accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The target device performs preliminary positioning calculations locally by determining displacement from sensor measurements before transmitting results to the network node. This preliminary processing at the device side reduces the need for continuous data transmission and enables the network to reconstruct accurate position information from the pre-processed displacement data, even without GNSS measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a target device, for handling positioning of the target device. The target device determines one or more displacements of the target device in relation to a reference position based on measurements performed by at least one location source. The target device sends, to a network node, a report comprising the determined one or more displacements of the target device, and a reference time to which the reference position is associated. Embodiments herein further relate to a method performed by a network node, for handling positioning of the target device. The network node obtains, from the target device, a report comprising the determined one or more displacements of the target device in relation to a reference position, wherein the one or more displacements have been determined based on measurements performed by at least one location source, and a reference time to which the reference position is associated. The network node determines an absolute position of the target device based on the obtained one or more displacements and the reference position associated to the reference time.