UE Line-of-Sight Determination Using Reflective Ranging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in accurately determining whether signals received from a signal source have followed a line-of-sight (LOS) or non-line-of-sight (NLOS) path, which affects the accuracy of positioning and radio frequency fingerprinting.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) is equipped with means to transmit and receive ranging signals, determine angles and distances to reflectors, and analyze the correspondence between angles of arrival and distances of positioning reference signals (PRS) to determine if the distance is a line-of-sight distance, using thresholds for and, and send reports including position information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If positioning reference signals are used to determine location, then location estimation can be performed, but accuracy is reduced when signals travel through non-line-of-sight paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reflected ranging signals as an intermediary to indirectly determine line-of-sight conditions. Instead of directly analyzing the positioning reference signal path, the system transmits ranging signals that reflect off surfaces, measures the reflected signal characteristics, and uses this intermediate measurement to infer whether the direct path between UE and reflector is blocked, thereby improving positioning reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary line-of-sight determination using ranging signals before final positioning calculation. By pre-establishing whether a direct path exists between the UE and reflector through reflected signal analysis, the system prepares accuracy information in advance that can be used to weight or select appropriate positioning measurements
2Measurement precision
If reflected ranging signals are analyzed to determine line-of-sight conditions, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE uses its existing transceiver and signal processing capabilities to perform both normal communication functions and line-of-sight determination functions. The same antenna array and signal processing chain used for receiving positioning reference signals are also used for transmitting and receiving ranging signals, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware and reducing overall device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the accuracy of position determination by distinguishing between line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight paths, thereby improving radio frequency fingerprinting and location estimation in wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
means for transmitting a ranging signal and receiving a reflection of the ranging signal
Implementation Method 2
a second distance, traveled by the PRS from the PRS source to the UE
Data Source
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AI summary
A UE includes: a wireless transceiver; a directional, reflection-based ranging system configured to determine directions and distances between the UE and reflectors; and a processor configured to: obtain, from the ranging system (1) a first direction, between the UE and a particular reflector, and (2) a first distance, between the UE and the particular reflector, corresponding to the first direction; determine, based on a positioning reference signal (PRS) received by the wireless transceiver from a PRS source (3) a second direction, corresponding to an angle of arrival of the PRS at the UE, and (4) a second distance, traveled by the PRS from the PRS source to the UE, corresponding to the second direction; and determine whether the second distance is a line-of-sight distance between the UE and the PRS source based on the first direction, the first distance, the second direction, and the second distance.