Terminal Device Position Assistance Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting low power consumption for low complexity devices while providing reliable location-based services, especially with the increasing demand for diverse devices and applications in future 5G and NR systems.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device with wireless communications receiver circuitry and position detection circuitry, controlled by controller circuitry, which adapts the reception of system information blocks carrying position assistance information based on the relative risk of change, using a discontinuous reception cycle to optimize power consumption and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal device continuously monitors system information blocks to ensure accurate position detection, then position detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device dynamically adjusts the monitoring cycle of system information blocks based on the relative risk indication. When risk is high, monitoring frequency increases to ensure position accuracy; when risk is low, monitoring frequency decreases to save power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the parameter of monitoring frequency according to the relative risk indication received from infrastructure equipment. By adjusting this parameter based on external conditions, the system achieves both power efficiency and position detection reliability under different operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the terminal device frequently receives updated position assistance information, then position detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device adaptively adjusts the reception frequency of position assistance information based on the relative risk indication. When relative risk is high, the device frequently updates position information to maintain accuracy; when relative risk is low, update frequency is reduced to conserve battery power, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic updates of position assistance information with variable periods. The period is adjusted based on relative risk, allowing the device to balance between obtaining accurate position data and minimizing power consumption through间断性 (intermittent) reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the terminal device uses a shorter discontinuous reception cycle to quickly detect position assistance information changes, then position detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device dynamically adjusts the length of the discontinuous reception cycle based on the relative risk indication. When relative risk is high, the cycle is shortened to ensure timely detection of position assistance information changes, improving reliability. When relative risk is low, the cycle is lengthened to reduce power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3701755B1Terminal device, infrastructure equipment, location server, computer program and methods
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3701755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3701755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal device comprises wireless communications receiver circuitry, position detection receiver circuitry configured to receive a radio signal from which measurements can be used to assist in determining a position of the terminal device, and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is configured to control the wireless communications receiver circuitry to detect one or more system information blocks carrying position assistance information transmitted from the infrastructure equipment, the position assistance information providing information which can be used to assist in determining the position of terminal device, and to control the position detection circuitry to estimate the position of the terminal device by combining the identified position assistance information with the radio signal received by the position detection receiver circuitry. Furthermore the controller circuitry is configured with the wireless communications receiver circuitry to receive from the infrastructure equipment an indication of relative risk that the position assistance information will change, and in response to the indication of the relative risk that the position assistance information will change to adapt the receiving of the one or more system information blocks to receive an updated version of the position assistance information in accordance with the relative risk.