UE Anchor Point for Positioning in Limited Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving high spectral efficiency, reducing latency, and providing accurate positioning for mobile devices, especially in scenarios with limited base station coverage.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) is configured to act as an anchor point, capable of sending and receiving positioning reference signals (PRS) between itself and another UE, enabling enhanced positioning capabilities, including sending capability messages, measuring reference signals, and providing location information to the network entity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional base station-based positioning is used, then positioning coverage is limited to areas with base station infrastructure, but positioning accuracy and availability deteriorate in areas with insufficient base station coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment (UE) as an intermediary anchor point between base stations and target UEs for positioning. The UE acts as a mediator that can receive positioning reference signals from base stations and forward them to other UEs, enabling positioning in areas where direct base station coverage is insufficient. This intermediary approach extends positioning coverage while maintaining accuracy through cooperative signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables user equipment to perform multiple functions: serving as both a regular mobile device and as an anchor point for positioning. The UE can dynamically switch between being a target of positioning and being a positioning reference source. This multi-functionality allows the system to utilize existing UEs as positioning infrastructure, expanding coverage without requiring additional dedicated base stations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more base stations are deployed to improve positioning coverage, then infrastructure cost and system complexity increase, but positioning accuracy can be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service positioning mechanism where user equipment autonomously participates in positioning operations without requiring additional infrastructure. UEs that are already in the network can voluntarily act as anchor points, performing positioning reference signal transmission and measurement functions. This self-service approach expands coverage while avoiding the complexity and cost of deploying additional base stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning function with existing user equipment that already provides communication services. Instead of separating positioning infrastructure from communication infrastructure, the system combines both functions in the same UEs. This merging reduces overall system complexity by utilizing existing devices for dual purposes: communication and positioning.
3Measurement precision
If UE acts as anchor point for positioning, then positioning coverage and accuracy improve in areas with limited base station coverage, but additional signaling overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional positioning architecture by allowing UEs to act as anchor points rather than only base stations serving as references. Instead of the conventional top-down approach where infrastructure provides positioning services, the system enables bottom-up participation where mobile devices contribute positioning capabilities. This inversion reduces the burden on base stations and distributes signaling overhead across multiple UEs, making the system more efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using a first UE as an anchor point includes: sending, from the first UE to a network entity, a positioning capability message indicating that the first UE is capable of transferring a PRS between the first UE and a second UE; where the method further includes: sending, from the first UE to the second UE, a first PRS; or measuring, at the first UE, a second PRS received from the second UE; or a combination thereof.