Wireless Positioning Using LoS Detection in NLOS Indoor Factories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Indoor factory deployments face challenges in achieving high accuracy positioning due to the dominance of Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) components in radio signals, which introduce timing errors and compromise positioning estimation.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to identify and prioritize Line of Sight (LoS) components in positioning measurements by detecting and quantifying LoS and NLOS components, and reporting these measurements to the network node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If positioning measurements are performed in indoor factory deployments, then positioning coverage is achieved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to dominance of NLOS components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidNLOS components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the received radio signal into multiple path components (LoS and NLOS) and processes them separately. By identifying and distinguishing different propagation paths, the system can selectively use LoS components for positioning measurements while excluding or down-weighting NLOS components, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving positioning coverage in indoor environments and maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of signal component selection by introducing LoS/NLOS identification and classification mechanisms. The system dynamically adjusts which signal components are used for positioning based on their identified propagation characteristics, transforming the fixed measurement process into an adaptive one that prioritizes LoS components and mitigates NLOS interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If NLOS components are used for positioning measurements, then measurement coverage is maintained, but timing error increases compromising positioning estimation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning estimation reliabilityVSAvoidtiming error

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification and classification of LoS and NLOS components before conducting positioning measurements. By pre-separating the signal components and identifying their propagation types, the system can exclude NLOS components from timing-based positioning calculations in advance, preventing timing errors from compromising the final positioning estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of NLOS components into a beneficial classification process. By identifying NLOS components, the system can explicitly exclude them from positioning measurements, transforming what was previously a source of error into a controlled filtering mechanism that improves overall positioning reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20250389805A1Methods for positioning of a wireless device, a related wireless device and a related network node

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method is disclosed, performed by a first wireless node, such as a wireless device, for enabling positioning of the wireless device. The method comprises providing, to a network node, a measurement report comprising a positioning measurement based on one or more reference signals transmitted from one or more second wireless nodes, such as base stations. The measurement report comprises an indication as to whether the positioning measurement is performed on a Line of Sight, LoS, component of the one or more reference signals.