Virtual Network Slicing for Position Accuracy in Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in improving position estimation accuracy in cellular communications networks without significantly increasing investment costs for radio access stations, and dividing a large cell into smaller cells often reduces resource allocation dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A virtual network is created by providing antennas controlled by the same radio access station with dedicated control signals, allowing sets of physical channels to be shared among multiple antennas, which reduces the need for additional base stations and maintains resource allocation dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large cell is divided into smaller cells to improve position estimation accuracy, then position determination accuracy is improved, but resource allocation dynamics are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a large cell into multiple smaller cells by introducing additional base stations, each covering a smaller geographic area. This segmentation improves position determination accuracy by reducing the cell size, allowing more precise location estimation while maintaining resource allocation flexibility through virtual network slicing technology.
2Measurement precision
If additional base stations are added to create smaller cells for improved positioning, then position estimation accuracy is improved, but investment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing base stations to serve dual purposes: traditional communication services and position estimation services. Through virtual network slicing, the same physical base station infrastructure supports multiple virtual cells, allowing position estimation without requiring dedicated additional base stations for each virtual cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of base stations through software-defined networking. Instead of building physical duplicates of base stations for each virtual cell, the system uses virtual network slicing to create logical copies that share the same physical infrastructure, significantly reducing investment costs while maintaining the ability to provide accurate position estimation.
3Measurement precision
If the number of base stations is increased to reduce cell size, then position determination accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple virtual cells into a single managed network domain using virtual network slicing. Instead of managing separate physical base stations for each virtual cell, the system combines them under a unified control framework that handles resource allocation, positioning, and network management centrally, reducing overall network complexity despite having multiple virtual cells.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual network is created by providing antennas controlled by the same radio access station with control signals of virtual radio access stations. Sets of physical channels comprising the control signals are dedicated to the respective antennas, while sets of physical channels comprising only traffic channels constitute common resources for more than one antenna. One example embodiment is applied in antenna systems utilizing common antenna cables, whereby the radio access station is provided as a distributor having a central broadcast control signal injector and control signal selectors at the antennas.