Unmanned UE Positioning for 3D MU-MIMO Network Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) in wireless networks face challenges due to the complexity of radio wave propagation environments, making it difficult to manually measure and verify the collective behavior of multiple user equipment (UEs) across the entire coverage area, especially with the added vertical coverage requirements of Massive MIMO Active Antenna Systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned vehicles, such as drones or automated cars, equipped with user equipment (UEs) to autonomously navigate and position themselves at optimal testing locations within the network's coverage area, utilizing a testing location algorithm to determine the best positions for MU-MIMO testing by measuring and comparing communication parameters like throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual driving tests are used for measuring link performance, then human control and flexibility are maintained, but the complexity and difficulty of measuring collective behavior of multiple UEs across the entire coverage area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned vehicle autonomously performs testing operations without human intervention. It automatically navigates to candidate testing locations, measures communication parameters, and identifies optimal testing locations based on measured values, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual control while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical driving tests with an automated unmanned vehicle system. The mechanical aspect of human driving is substituted by an automated vehicle that uses algorithms to navigate and position itself, thereby reducing the complexity associated with manual operation and coordination of multiple UEs
2Measurement precision
If channel emulators are used for testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but the cost of the testing system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an unmanned vehicle with a UE as a disposable or low-cost testing platform instead of expensive channel emulators. The vehicle equipped with standard UE hardware performs field measurements directly, eliminating the need for costly laboratory equipment while maintaining practical testing accuracy in real-world conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned vehicle acts as an intermediary between the network and the testing environment. Instead of using complex channel emulators to simulate the radio environment, the vehicle directly enters the field and measures actual communication parameters, serving as a bridge that provides accurate real-world data without requiring expensive simulation equipment
3Reliability
If MU-MIMO testing is conducted across the entire coverage area including vertical dimensions, then testing completeness is improved, but the difficulty of positioning and measuring multiple UEs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends testing from traditional two-dimensional ground-based coverage to three-dimensional space by utilizing the vertical dimension. The unmanned vehicle can fly at different altitudes and positions, enabling comprehensive testing of MU-MIMO performance across the entire coverage volume including vertical layers, thereby improving testing completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The unmanned vehicle pre-navigates to candidate testing locations before actual measurements are taken. The system first identifies potential testing positions across the coverage area, then positions the vehicle at these predetermined locations to collect measurement data, streamlining the testing process and reducing the difficulty of real-time positioning
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses are provided for network testing. In one embodiment, a method in an unmanned vehicle includes controlling a movement of the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE according to a testing location algorithm, the testing location algorithm comprising moving the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to at least one candidate testing location, determining at least one measurement value at the at least one candidate testing location and determining a reference location based at least in part on the determined at least one measurement value. In another embodiment, a method in a network node initiating a launch of at least one unmanned vehicle of a plurality the unmanned vehicle carrying the UE to at least one candidate testing of unmanned vehicles, each of the at least one unmanned vehicle moving one of the plurality of UEs to a reference location, each reference location corresponding to a testing location.