UE Positioning Signal Priority Rules for 5G Signal Collisions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning methods in 5G wireless networks face challenges in efficiently prioritizing processing of positioning reference signals, leading to reduced reliability and increased latency in determining the location of mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A user equipment (UE) is configured to prioritize processing of positioning reference signals by determining whether to measure or transmit them relative to a priority reference signal or channel, considering factors such as measurement gaps and signal collisions, thereby improving the reliability of location determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If positioning reference signals are processed with equal priority to other reference signals and channels, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of location determination deteriorates due to signal collisions and processing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of location determinationVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing priority rules for positioning reference signals before signal collisions occur. The UE is configured to determine priority relationships between positioning reference signals and other reference signals or channels in advance, allowing it to preemptively resolve processing conflicts without increasing operational complexity during actual signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of signal processing priority by introducing priority indicators that differentiate positioning reference signals from other reference signals and channels. This parameter change enables the UE to adjust its processing behavior based on signal type, improving location determination reliability without requiring complex real-time decision-making mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If measurement gaps are used to process positioning reference signals, then reliability of location determination improves, but loss of time increases due to interruptions in normal signal processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of location determinationVSAvoidtime loss from measurement gaps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the use of measurement gaps conditional rather than fixed. The UE dynamically determines whether to use measurement gaps based on the presence and priority of positioning reference signals. When positioning reference signals have high priority and collide with other signals, the UE activates measurement gaps; otherwise, it processes signals continuously, thus reducing unnecessary time loss while maintaining reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If positioning reference signals are prioritized over other reference signals and channels, then reliability of location determination improves, but device complexity increases due to priority determination mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of location determinationVSAvoidpriority determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing priority indicators specific to positioning reference signals rather than uniformly complicating all signal processing. The priority determination mechanism is localized to positioning reference signals only, allowing the UE to maintain simple processing for non-positioning signals while applying enhanced priority logic only where needed for location determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If multiple reference signals and channels are processed simultaneously without priority differentiation, then productivity is maintained, but reliability of location determination deteriorates due to processing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing efficiencyVSAvoidreliability of location determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by applying preliminary action through pre-configured priority relationships. The UE determines priority indications for positioning reference signals in advance, allowing it to process multiple signals simultaneously without conflicts. When a collision is detected, the pre-established priority rules enable immediate resolution without interrupting the overall processing flow, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260081739A1Positioning signal prioritization

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method of determining whether to prioritize processing includes: determining whether to prioritize processing, by a UE (user equipment), of a downlink positioning reference signal relative to at least one of a downlink channel state information reference signal and a downlink channel by at least one of: determining whether to measure, absent a measurement gap, the downlink positioning reference signal instead of the downlink channel state information reference signal; and determining whether to measure, absent the measurement gap, the downlink positioning reference signal instead of the downlink channel.