Terminal Position Updates with Movement Assistance for Lower Power Use

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The power consumption of User Equipment (UE) increases due to the need to receive radio signals from a satellite positioning system and update position information, especially in low-speed communication standards like LTE-M, NB-IoT, and eMTC, which are used in IoT-NTN systems.

Innovation Solution

A terminal with a control unit that acquires position information based on satellite signals and a transmitting unit that shares this information with a base station, utilizing assistance information on the UE's movement to update position information without continuous signal reception, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal receives radio signals from the satellite positioning system continuously to update position information, then the position information accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by having the terminal receive satellite positioning signals only at specific intervals rather than continuously. The terminal receives signals periodically to update position information while suppressing continuous reception, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining acceptable accuracy for UL transmission scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If the terminal updates position information frequently to improve scheduling accuracy, then the UL transmission scheduling accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by adapting the position information update frequency based on terminal movement characteristics. When the terminal is stationary or moves slowly, updates are performed less frequently to save power. When the terminal moves rapidly, updates are performed more frequently to maintain scheduling accuracy, thus dynamically balancing power consumption and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal uses assistance information to reduce signal reception, then the power consumption is reduced, but the position information accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidposition information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces assistance information as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between reduced signal reception and maintained positioning accuracy. The assistance information includes movement characteristics and historical position data that the terminal uses to estimate current position when full satellite signals are not received, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring and storing assistance information in advance, including movement patterns and historical position data. This pre-acquired information is then used to estimate current position during periods when full satellite signal reception is not performed, maintaining positioning accuracy while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4590039A1terminal
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4590039A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4590039A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4590039A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal includes: a control unit that acquires position information of the terminal based on a radio signal from a satellite positioning system; and a transmitting unit that transmits the position information to a base station. The control unit acquires assistance information that is information on a movement of the terminal, and the transmitting unit transmits the assistance information to the base station.