UE Interception-Assisted Uplink Signal Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular positioning systems face challenges in accurately determining the position of User Equipment (UE) due to the weak power of uplink signals, which are often difficult for base stations to receive, especially in distant locations, leading to unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system where a second UE intercepts the uplink signal of a first UE, potentially closer to the listener UE than to the base station, providing stronger signal strength and more reliable measurements, while also enabling improved privacy and security through control over which UEs can intercept the signal, and allowing UEs from different networks to share interception-assistance information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If uplink measurements are made by base stations, then the UE does not need to make measurements, but the uplink signal is lower power and may be too weak to be received at distant BSs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second UE as an intermediary device to receive and measure the uplink signal from the first UE. This intermediary UE acts as a relay that can be positioned closer to the transmitting UE than the serving base station, thereby receiving a stronger signal while still enabling network-based positioning measurements without requiring the transmitting UE to perform measurements itself.
2Reliability
If a second UE intercepts the uplink signal, then the number of measurements increases and reliability improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to perform multiple functions: they serve as both transmitting devices (sending uplink signals to their serving BS) and receiving/measureming devices (intercepting and measuring uplink signals from other UEs). This multi-functionality increases measurement reliability without requiring dedicated measurement infrastructure, as existing UE hardware is utilized for dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the receiving UE's own capabilities to perform measurements on intercepted signals. The second UE independently measures the uplink signal from the first UE without requiring additional network infrastructure or complex coordinated measurement procedures, thereby improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple system operation.
3Reliability
If the first UE controls which second UEs can intercept its signal, then privacy and security are improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanism where the first UE pre-configures and communicates an interception list to potential second UEs before signal interception occurs. This preliminary action establishes security and privacy controls in advance, allowing the transmitting UE to specify which devices are authorized to intercept and measure its uplink signal, thereby maintaining control over measurement operations while enabling collaborative positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for sharing, by a first User Equipment, interception-assistance information relating to an uplink signal transmitted by the first User Equipment. The interception-assistance information may be used to assist a second User Equipment to intercept the uplink signal and measure at least one characteristic of it. Calculation-assistance information may be used to assist in the calculation of a position or time, based on the measured characteristic.