Vertical Position Estimation Using Reference Signal Delay Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current positioning technologies face challenges in accurately estimating the vertical position of user equipment (UE) in communication systems, particularly indoors, where the positioning error in the vertical direction exceeds the required 3-meter accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve receiving reference signals from transmitters at different heights, acquiring snapshot vectors, calculating covariance matrices, and estimating the reception delay time difference to determine the vertical position of the UE, utilizing subcarriers at equal intervals in the frequency domain and waveforms continuous across symbol boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current positioning technologies are used to estimate UE position in vertical direction, then positioning can be performed, but positioning error in vertical direction exceeds 3 meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D horizontal positioning to 3D vertical positioning by introducing transmitters at different heights. This dimensional extension enables the system to measure reception delay time differences in the vertical direction, achieving positioning accuracy within 3 meters in the previously inaccurate vertical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of transmitter deployment by placing transmitters at different heights (vertical separation) rather than only horizontal separation. This parameter change in transmitter geometry enables the reception delay time difference to reflect vertical position information, improving vertical positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If reference signals are transmitted from transmitters at different heights, then vertical position estimation accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing transmitters multi-functional by deploying them at different heights to serve both horizontal and vertical positioning purposes. The same reference signal transmission mechanism is used, but the vertical arrangement enables additional vertical positioning capability without requiring fundamentally new hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the positioning function by separating transmitters into different vertical layers (first transmitter at first height, second transmitter at second height). This segmentation allows independent measurement of reception delay time differences from each transmitter, which are then combined to achieve accurate 3D position estimation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the accuracy of vertical position estimation for UE by leveraging the difference in reception delay times of reference signals from multiple transmitters, enabling precise classification of UE positions within the required error margin.
Implementation Method 1
the UE may estimate a position of the UE by measuring a difference in time of arrival (ToA) between positioning reference signals (PRSs) received from a plurality of base stations
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a positioning method of a user equipment performed by the user equipment, the method including receiving first and second reference signals from at least two transmitters installed at positions with different heights; acquiring first snapshot vectors based on received data samples of the first reference signal and acquiring second snapshot vectors based on received data samples of the second reference signal; calculating a first covariance matrix based on the first snapshot vectors and calculating a second covariance matrix based on the second snapshot vectors; estimating a difference between a reception delay time of the first reference signal and a reception delay time of the second reference signal based on the first and second covariance matrices; and estimating a vertical position of the user equipment based on the difference between the reception delay time of the first reference signal and the reception delay time of the second reference signal.