UE-to-UE Ranging via Sidelink Groupcasting TDM Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in sidelink positioning due to high signaling overhead, particularly in group scheduling, which hinders low-latency relative positioning between UEs, such as in vehicle platoons or UAV swarms, as they require accurate clock synchronization and multiple message exchanges.
Innovation Solution
Implementing time division multiplexed (TDM) sidelink resources for groupcasting, where UEs reserve and transmit reference signals in reserved TDM resources, reducing the number of transmissions needed for position determination by allowing direct relative positioning within the group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sidelink positioning methods are used with multiple message exchanges, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but signaling overhead and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning message exchanges into a single groupcast transmission by merging reference signals from multiple UEs into one resource. This allows multiple UEs to simultaneously contribute to the positioning measurement, achieving the same positioning accuracy that would require multiple separate unicast exchanges, thereby reducing latency while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional unicast positioning (one-to-one message exchanges) to groupcast positioning (one-to-many or many-to-many in a group). This dimensional change in communication topology allows multiple UEs to participate in a single positioning event, reducing the number of required message exchanges and lowering positioning latency while maintaining accuracy through collective measurements.
2Measurement precision
If traditional sidelink positioning methods are used with multiple message exchanges, then positioning can be performed, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges reference signals from multiple UEs into a single groupcast transmission resource. Instead of each UE transmitting separate positioning messages that would require individual acknowledgments and exchanges, multiple UEs transmit reference signals in one consolidated resource, significantly reducing signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to perform accurate positioning measurements through the combined signal.
3Productivity
If TDM resources are used for groupcasting reference signals, then the number of transmissions is reduced, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the group of UEs into different TDM resource assignments, where each UE is allocated specific time slots for transmitting reference signals. This segmentation approach simplifies the resource allocation by dividing the complex groupcast problem into manageable individual UE assignments, reducing overall allocation complexity while maintaining high positioning efficiency through coordinated time-division multiplexing.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for sidelink positioning are provided. An example method includes transmitting or receiving a reservation message reserving sidelink resources for groupcasting of one or more reference signals for a group of multiple UEs including the UE, the sidelink resources for the groupcasting comprising time division multiplexed (TDM) resources for the multiple UEs in the group of multiple UEs. The example method further includes transmitting a reference signal in a resource of the TDM resources.