UE Capability Signaling for Multi-Hop DL-PRS Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G, face challenges in determining the capability of user equipment (UE) to measure downlink positioning reference signals (DL-PRS) across multiple frequency hops, which is essential for accurate positioning and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The UE is equipped with enhanced capabilities to indicate its support for multiple PRS configurations and frequency hopping, allowing it to measure DL-PRS across a plurality of frequency hops, thereby facilitating efficient resource utilization and accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE measures DL-PRS across multiple frequency hops, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DL-PRS measurement process into individual frequency hop measurements. The UE measures DL-PRS on each frequency hop separately and combines these measurements to determine overall positioning accuracy. This segmentation allows the UE to handle complex multi-frequency measurements through a systematic, step-by-step approach, improving positioning accuracy while managing device complexity through structured processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the UE supports multiple PRS configurations and frequency hopping, then spectral efficiency is enhanced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports its capability to support multiple PRS configurations and frequency hopping to the network. The network uses this feedback to appropriately configure DL-PRS resources, ensuring that the complexity of multiple configurations is only activated when the UE can handle it. This feedback loop enhances spectral efficiency through flexible resource allocation while maintaining ease of operation by adapting network configuration to UE capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the UE measures DL-PRS across multiple frequency hops, then resource utilization is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic frequency hopping patterns for DL-PRS transmission and measurement. The UE measures DL-PRS on multiple frequency hops in a periodic sequence, allowing it to efficiently utilize available frequency resources while maintaining a structured measurement timeline. This periodic approach improves resource utilization by systematically accessing multiple frequency hops while managing measurement time through predictable, repeating measurement cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4226548B1Determination of capability of user equipment to measure a downlink positioning reference signal across a plurality of frequency hops
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4226548B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4226548B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4226548B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

In an aspect, a network component (e.g., BS, LMF, etc.) determines a capability of the UE perform receive frequency hopping to measure a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) across a plurality of frequency hops, the DL-PRS transmitted over a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols on a same transmission bandwidth (e.g., without frequency hopping), and each of the plurality of frequency hops associated with a sub-band of the transmission bandwidth of the DL-PRS, and configures one or more parameters associated with positioning of the UE based at least in part on the capability. In some designs, the UE may send an indication of the capability to the network component to facilitate the determination, while in other designs the network component may determine the capability via another mechanism.