UE Location Verification Using Signal Timing Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-terrestrial wireless networks, user equipment (UE) may report an incorrect location to the network, making it difficult for the network to verify the actual location and adjust uplink timing and frequency synchronization accurately.
Innovation Solution
A network entity, such as a location management function (LMF), requests a measuring device to perform location verification measurements by analyzing timing and frequency measurements of reference signals from the UE, using ephemeris information to compare the reported location with the actual location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the network relies on UE-reported location information, then network configuration and service delivery are simplified, but location accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to potential incorrect reports
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network entity receives timing measurements from the UE, compares them against expected values based on reported location and ephemeris information, and uses this feedback to verify location accuracy. This allows the network to detect when UE location reports are incorrect while maintaining the simplicity of UE-autonomous location reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces timing measurements as an intermediary verification mechanism. Instead of directly trusting UE location reports, the network uses timing measurements of reference signals as an intermediate check to validate whether the reported location corresponds to the actual UE position, thus resolving the trust issue without complicating the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If the network performs location verification using timing measurements, then location reliability is improved, but measurement and verification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the UE perform timing measurements of reference signals and report them to the network entity. The UE essentially verifies its own location accuracy using its own transmissions, eliminating the need for complex external verification equipment while maintaining location reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the verification parameter from direct location coordinate comparison to timing measurement comparison. By using timing measurements of reference signals and comparing them against expected values derived from ephemeris information, the system achieves reliable location verification through a different parameter domain that simplifies the verification process.
Data Source
AI summary
According to example embodiments, a method may include receiving, by a measuring device from a network entity, a request to perform location verification measurements for a user device in a wireless network; receiving, by the measuring device from the user device, reference signals; determining, by the measuring device, a plurality of timing measurements and an associated time stamp for each timing measurement, for the received reference signals; and transmitting, by the measuring device to the network entity, the timing measurements and associated time stamps, for use by the network entity to verify whether a reported location of the user device matches an actual location of the user device.