Terminal Positioning Across RRC Idle and Connected States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning technologies are limited to RRC connected states, preventing accurate terminal positioning when the terminal is in RRC non-connected states.
Innovation Solution
A method where the positioning management function network element communicates with a base station to request terminal measurements of positioning reference signals, enabling positioning even in various RRC states through coordinated communication protocols and assistance data delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the terminal is in RRC non-connected state, then the terminal can save energy and reduce complexity, but terminal positioning cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures positioning measurement parameters and assistance data in the system information broadcast before the terminal needs positioning. This allows the terminal to have positioning capability ready without establishing RRC connection, resolving the contradiction between saving energy in non-connected state and maintaining positioning availability
Solution Approach 2:
The network uses system information broadcast as an intermediary to deliver positioning assistance data and measurement configurations to the terminal in non-connected state. This intermediary mechanism enables positioning functionality without requiring RRC connection, thus maintaining both energy efficiency and positioning capability
2Ease of operation
If the terminal is in RRC connected state, then positioning can be implemented, but the terminal consumes more energy and has higher complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning assistance data and measurement configurations are pre-delivered via system information broadcast before positioning is actually needed. This preliminary action allows the terminal to remain in low-power non-connected state while still having positioning capability available, reducing energy consumption compared to maintaining RRC connected state
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal can autonomously perform positioning measurements using the pre-configured parameters and assistance data received in system information, without needing to maintain an RRC connection. This self-service capability allows positioning to occur in energy-efficient non-connected state, reducing terminal energy consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal retrieves assistance data from remote server only when in RRC connected state, then data retrieval is limited, but positioning cannot be performed in non-connected state
Solution Approach 1:
The system information broadcast mechanism is used for multiple purposes including delivering positioning assistance data and measurement configurations. This universal mechanism ensures assistance data is accessible to terminals in all RRC states (connected, inactive, and idle), eliminating the limitation of only being accessible in connected state and enabling positioning across all states
Solution Approach 2:
System information broadcast serves as an intermediary channel that delivers positioning assistance data to terminals regardless of their RRC state. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by making assistance data accessible in non-connected states while maintaining the existing data delivery infrastructure
Data Source
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AI summary
A positioning method and a communication apparatus are provided. The method includes: A first base station receives a first request from a positioning management function network element, where the first request is used to request the first base station to indicate a terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the first base station sends a second request to the terminal based on the first request, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal; and the first base station receives a measurement result, from the terminal, in response to the second request, and sends the measurement result to the positioning management function network element, where the measurement result is used by the positioning management function network element to determine location information of the terminal. This technical solution is used to position the terminal when the terminal is in various RRC states.