UE Receive Antenna Adaptation for PRS Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UE positioning methods in 4G and 5G LTE networks face inefficiencies in power consumption and complexity due to the lack of beam width information in positioning reference signals (PRS), which hinders optimal antenna adaptation for power saving during positioning measurements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating beam width information into PRS configurations, allowing UE devices to adapt the number of receive antennas based on the beam width of incoming PRS beams, thereby reducing power consumption by using fewer antennas for wide beams and more for narrow beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE uses a fixed number of receive antennas for positioning measurements, then the positioning measurement can be performed consistently, but the power consumption cannot be optimized according to beam width variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the receive antenna configuration based on the beam width information of PRS beams. The UE dynamically selects between first and second receive antenna configurations according to whether the beam width is above or below a threshold, allowing the system to adapt to varying beam conditions rather than using a static antenna setup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the receive antennas based on beam width characteristics. By receiving beam width information from the PRS configuration and comparing it to a threshold, the system adjusts the antenna configuration parameter (number of active antennas) to optimize power consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the UE uses more receive antennas, then the positioning measurement accuracy improves, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different antenna configurations localized to specific beam width conditions. When PRS beams have narrow beam width (below threshold), the UE uses a first receive antenna configuration with more antennas to capture the focused energy. When beams are wide (above threshold), a second configuration with fewer antennas suffices, optimizing the local match between antenna array and beam characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a sufficient number of antennas rather than always using the maximum number. By determining antenna configuration based on beam width threshold comparison, the system uses only the necessary number of antennas required for accurate measurement in each specific condition, avoiding the excessive power consumption of always deploying all available antennas
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE adapts receive antennas based on beam width information, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional configuration management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by receiving and storing beam width information from the PRS configuration before actually performing positioning measurements. The UE compares the beam width to a threshold in advance and selects the appropriate antenna configuration beforehand, simplifying the measurement process rather than adding complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having the UE autonomously determine its own antenna configuration based on the received beam width information. The device independently compares beam width to threshold and selects appropriate configuration without requiring complex network control or external assistance, reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) uses downlink positioning reference signals (PRS) beams for position measurements. The PRS beams may be transmitted using beamforming and transmitted in a beam-sweeping manner. The UE receives assistance data that includes PRS configuration information including the azimuth and elevation angles and beam width information for each PRS beam. The beam width information may include the beam width, bore sight direction uncertainty, beam width uncertainty, and side lobe/back lobe beam information. The UE may select or adapt the receive (Rx) antennas based on the beam width information to reduce power consumption, for example, by reducing the number of Rx antennas used to receive wide PRS beams, and selecting a larger number of Rx antennas when the PRS beams are narrow.