Uplink SRS Spatial Filtering for Efficient 5G Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G positioning procedures for user equipment (UE) are inefficient due to the lack of optimized spatial filter configurations for uplink sounding reference signals (SRS), leading to excessive resource consumption and interference, especially in multi-TRP scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves configuring the UE with reference spatial relations and directional information for SRS transmission, allowing the network to provide spatial filter settings and power control for individual resource sets, thereby optimizing beamforming and reducing unnecessary transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE performs beam sweeping with multiple spatial filters for SRS transmission, then the positioning coverage is improved, but the resource consumption and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning coverageVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different spatial filters for different resource sets based on local network conditions and TRP locations. Instead of using uniform beam sweeping across all directions, the system selects and optimizes specific beam directions and spatial filters for each resource set, reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining positioning coverage where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the UE transmits SRS signals on multiple beams in different directions, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the transmission time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring spatial relation information and reference signals before the actual SRS transmission. The network provides advance information about TRP locations and preferred beam directions, allowing the UE to pre-determine optimal spatial filters and transmission parameters, thereby reducing the time required for beam sweeping and improving positioning accuracy without increasing transmission duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the network provides detailed spatial relation information for each TRP, then the beamforming optimization is improved, but the configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming optimizationVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a unified spatial relation information structure that serves multiple purposes: TRP identification, beam direction determination, and spatial filter selection. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate configuration parameters into a single comprehensive framework, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining beamforming optimization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the UE uses a fixed spatial filter for SRS transmission, then the implementation simplicity is improved, but the positioning flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a fixed spatial filter approach to a dynamic selection mechanism. The UE is configured with multiple potential spatial filters and is dynamically instructed to select the appropriate one based on real-time network conditions and TRP locations. This dynamic approach maintains implementation simplicity through automated selection while significantly improving positioning flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4193479B1SRS sounding procedure for positioning
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • EP4193479B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4193479B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4193479B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) configured for operating in a wireless communication network that supports a plurality of reference signals (RS) such as sounding reference signals, comprises a wireless interface configured for transceiving signals, comprising receiving a configuration signal having a configuration information indicating a reference spatial relation. The UE further comprises a controller for evaluating the configuration information and to determine the reference spatial relation. The UE is configured for using the reference spatial relation as a reference for an uplink RS (UL-RS) in the wireless communication network.