User-Plane MEC Positioning for Lower Terminal Location Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G and 4G evolved packet core networks experience increased positioning latency due to data exchange between terminals and positioning functional entities being forwarded through a control plane channel, which is inefficient and prolonged.
Innovation Solution
A MEC-based positioning method that utilizes a first network element to determine a positioning server close to the terminal and facilitates data transmission via a user plane, reducing the transmission distance and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data exchange between terminal and positioning functional entity is forwarded through control plane channel, then positioning service can be provided, but positioning latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning service into two parts: control plane signaling (for positioning request and authorization) and user plane data transmission (for actual positioning data exchange). This segmentation allows positioning data to be transmitted through the lower-latency user plane while maintaining the reliability of control plane signaling for service management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a positioning server as an intermediary entity that receives positioning requests from the core network and establishes direct user plane connections with the terminal. This intermediary enables the terminal to exchange positioning data directly with the positioning server through the user plane, bypassing the high-latency control plane forwarding path.
2Ease of operation
If AMF network element forwards positioning data, then control plane signaling is maintained, but transmission distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates control plane signaling functions (handled by AMF) from data transmission functions (handled by user plane). The AMF only needs to forward positioning requests and establish user plane connections, while the actual positioning data exchange occurs directly between the terminal and positioning server through the user plane, reducing the transmission distance for positioning data.
3Loss of time
If positioning server is selected close to terminal, then transmission duration is reduced, but network element selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the core network (AMF) pre-select an appropriate positioning server based on the terminal's location and service requirements before establishing the user plane connection. This pre-selection process, which considers factors like server proximity and capability, simplifies the overall system by centralizing the selection logic in the core network rather than requiring complex distributed selection mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provide a MEC-based positioning method, a device, and a wireless communication system. The method includes: A first network element receives first positioning request information for requesting to position a terminal, and the first positioning request information carries identification information of the terminal. The first network element determines, based on the first positioning request information, a positioning functional entity for positioning the terminal, where the positioning functional entity is a positioning server. The first network element obtains second positioning request information based on the first positioning request information, and sends the second positioning request information to the positioning server. After receiving the second positioning request information, the positioning server sends measurement request information to the terminal via a user plane, to request the terminal to report measurement data. Then, the positioning server positions the terminal based on the measurement data reported by the terminal via the user plane.