UE-to-UE Relative Positioning Through Base-Station Ranging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular mobile communication standards do not support direct positioning between user equipment (UEs), requiring complex direct communication connections for relative positioning, which increases complexity and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus enabling UE-to-UE positioning through a base station, where UEs send ranging requests to determine relative positions using identifiers and receive range information from the base station, eliminating the need for direct UE communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If direct positioning between UEs is implemented, then positioning function is achieved, but device complexity and communication protocol complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning functionVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary to enable UE-to-UE positioning. Instead of UEs directly exchanging positioning signals, the first UE sends a ranging request to the base station, which then provides range information to determine the position of the second UE relative to the first UE. This mediator approach reduces direct UE complexity while maintaining positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If direct communication connection between UEs is established for positioning, then positioning can be performed, but efficiency decreases due to additional communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs multiple functions: it serves as a communication node for data transmission and simultaneously acts as a positioning server providing ranging services. By reusing the existing base station infrastructure for positioning, the system avoids dedicated positioning hardware and additional communication protocols, thereby improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If UE-to-UE positioning is enabled through base station assistance, then existing infrastructure is utilized, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure utilizationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The base station receives a ranging request from the first UE, performs ranging measurements with the second UE, and provides range information back to the first UE. This feedback mechanism enables the first UE to calculate the relative position using the provided range data, maintaining positioning accuracy while leveraging base station infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12405343B2Method and apparatus for position determining, and communication device

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

AI summary

A method for position determining includes: sending a first ranging request to a base station, wherein the first ranging request carries an identifier associated with a second UE, in which the first ranging request is at least associated with ranging between the base station and the second UE; and receiving first range information associated with the first range request from the base station.