Virtual UE PRS Measurement Sharing for Low-Power Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently sharing and processing positioning reference signal (PRS) measurements, leading to increased processing overhead and power consumption, while positioning accuracy remains a concern.

Innovation Solution

User Equipment (UEs) share PRS measurements through sidelink communication, forming virtual UEs to act in concert, and cross-validate measurements to determine reliability, reducing processing overhead and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If each UE independently processes PRS measurements, then positioning measurements can be obtained, but processing overhead and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning measurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple UEs are merged into a virtual UE entity, where PRS measurements from multiple physical UEs are combined and processed collectively. The network entity receives measurements from multiple UEs and performs centralized processing, reducing redundant processing at each individual UE and lowering overall power consumption while maintaining or improving positioning accuracy through aggregated measurement data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If PRS measurements are shared among UEs, then processing overhead is reduced, but measurement reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where UEs share their measurement results and capability information with the network entity. The network entity uses this feedback to intelligently allocate measurement tasks, select reliable UEs for specific measurements, and validate shared measurements against other available data, thereby maintaining measurement reliability while achieving processing efficiency through measurement sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If UEs form virtual UE groups for measurement sharing, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity acts as an intermediary that manages virtual UE group formation and coordination. It receives capability information from UEs, determines appropriate groupings based on proximity and measurement capabilities, and coordinates measurement tasks within groups. This centralizes the complexity management at the network level, allowing individual UEs to maintain simpler device architecture while still benefiting from enhanced positioning accuracy through virtual grouping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12520273B2PRS measurement sharing for virtual UE

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

This disclosure relates to communication device and method of managing a user equipment group, first user equipment and method of providing position information from a first user equipment. A method of managing a UE group includes: determining a plurality of UEs of the UE group based on proximity of each of the plurality of UEs to at least one other UE of the plurality of UEs; and transmitting, from a communication device, to at least one of the plurality of UEs of the UE group, an indication of the UE group.