UE Location Reporting via Tracking Area Update Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for terminal location reporting in cellular networks result in significant signaling overhead and power consumption, particularly in 3GPP-based approaches, which are inefficient and costly in terms of network resources and terminal energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A method where a network node sends a single control signal to a user equipment (UE) device to repetitively communicate its location information, leveraging existing tracking area update procedures and lower communication layers to reduce signaling overhead and power consumption, by generating multiple location reports from a single location request and utilizing existing frequent control signaling between the UE device and a further network node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal discloses its measured position to a location server via 3GPP control plane protocols, then the location information is obtained through standardized network procedures, but the signaling load and terminal power consumption remain considerable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation reporting reliabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines location reporting with existing periodic uplink signaling (tracking area update procedures) that the terminal already performs. By merging location information into these existing signaling messages, the patent eliminates separate location reporting procedures, thereby reducing terminal power consumption while maintaining reliable location reporting through the network's existing control plane infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the terminal's periodic uplink signaling serve dual purposes: both for network management (tracking area updates) and for location reporting. This multi-functionality allows the same signaling mechanism to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for dedicated location reporting procedures and thereby lowering terminal power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation reporting reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges location reporting functionality with existing periodic uplink signaling procedures. By combining multiple functions (network management and location reporting) into a single signaling message, the patent significantly reduces signaling overhead while maintaining reliable location information delivery through the established control plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables existing uplink signaling to serve multiple purposes simultaneously - both for tracking area updates and for location reporting. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated location reporting signaling, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead in the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If over the top location reporting is used with Internet-based location servers, then location information can be disclosed flexibly, but excess signaling and power consumption occur due to higher-layer protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation reporting flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the network's control plane as an intermediary between the terminal and the location server. Instead of direct terminal-to-server communication over Internet protocols, the network infrastructure mediates the location information transfer using efficient 3GPP control plane signaling, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining flexibility in location reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11363413B2Efficient UE location reporting in cellular networks

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method (10) comprises communicating (11), from a network node (40) of a cellular network to a user equipment, UE, device (30), a first control signal (12) defining repetitive communicating (13) of a location information of the UE device (30) by the UE device (30); and in response to the communicating (11), repetitively communicating (13), from the UE device (30) to the network node (40), a second control signal (14) comprising the location information of the UE device (30). A user equipment, UE, device (30) and a network node (40) are configured to perform the method (10). A system (50) comprises the UE device (30) and the network node (40).