UE Physical-Layer Positioning Assistance for Low-Latency Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning methods in 5G wireless networks face challenges in efficiently determining the location of mobile devices with high accuracy and low latency, particularly in utilizing reference signals for UE positioning.

Innovation Solution

A user equipment (UE) sends a positioning assistance request over a physical layer channel to a network entity, receiving assistance information for signal exchange, and performs positioning functions based on this information, while the network entity determines and sends the assistance information within the physical and data link layers, optimizing resource use and signal exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If existing positioning methods use traditional higher-layer protocols for positioning assistance information exchange, then positioning accuracy can be maintained, but signaling latency increases and resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning latencyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a physical layer as an intermediary communication channel between UE and network entity for positioning assistance information exchange. This physical layer channel acts as a mediator that bypasses the traditional higher-layer protocols (RRC, NAS), enabling direct and efficient transmission of positioning-related signaling while maintaining compatibility with existing positioning measurement procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/protocol-based higher-layer signaling system with a more efficient physical layer transmission mechanism. By substituting the traditional RRC message-based positioning assistance information exchange with physical layer channel transmissions, the system achieves reduced signaling latency and improved resource efficiency while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If positioning assistance information is exchanged through multiple protocol layers (RRC, NAS), then comprehensive positioning data can be transmitted, but signaling overhead increases and resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the positioning assistance information exchange function from the complex multi-layer protocol stack (RRC, NAS) and relocates it to the physical layer. This extraction isolates the positioning-specific signaling from general-purpose higher-layer protocols, reducing signaling overhead by eliminating redundant protocol headers and processing steps while maintaining comprehensive positioning data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical layer channel is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: transmitting positioning assistance information, carrying uplink positioning references, and enabling downlink positioning references, all within a unified communication framework. This multi-functionality reduces overall signaling overhead compared to having separate dedicated channels for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If traditional positioning methods are used without physical layer optimization, then implementation complexity remains manageable, but positioning speed and resource utilization are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning speedVSAvoidphysical layer complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of positioning parameters and assistance information at the physical layer before actual positioning measurements are performed. By pre-configuring positioning reference signal resources, timing advance parameters, and frequency offset compensation data at the physical layer, the system enables faster positioning execution without requiring complex real-time processing during the measurement phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges positioning-specific physical layer procedures with existing uplink/downlink communication procedures. By combining positioning reference signal transmission with regular uplink shared channel transmissions and integrating positioning assistance information with downlink control information, the patent reduces implementation complexity by reusing existing physical layer processing blocks rather than creating separate dedicated positioning infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12538251B2Physical layer considerations for UE positioning

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) includes: a transceiver configured to send and receive communications signals wirelessly to and from a network entity; a memory; and a processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, configured to: send, via the transceiver to the network entity over a physical layer uplink channel, a positioning assistance request for the network entity to provide positioning assistance information indicating one or more parameters for signal exchange of one or more positioning reference signals between the UE and another device; receive the positioning assistance information from the network entity via the transceiver over a physical layer downlink channel; and perform one or more UE-device positioning functions in accordance with the positioning assistance information.