Positioning reference signal (PRS) generation for multiple transmit antenna systems

• US 9,651,653 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2013
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Gaal, Peter, Fischer, Sven, Opshaug, Guttorm R., Edge, Stephen William, Ji, Tingfang, Mirbagheri, Arash
• Primary Examiner(s): Liu, Harry
• Application Number:
  US13/797,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20140176366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 342386
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/20 using a comparison of transit time of synchronised signals transmitted from non-directional antennas or antenna systems spaced apart, i.e. path-difference systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0236 Assistance data, e.g. base station almanac
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination

Abstract

A method of providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to a mobile station is disclosed. In some embodiments, the OTDOA assistance information may comprise Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell. In one embodiment, the method may be implemented on a location server for the cell.

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method of providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information from a location server, the method comprising:

sending, via a communications interface on the location server, the OTDOA assistance information to a User Equipment (UE), the OTDOA assistance information comprising Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information, wherein when physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by at least one cell in a subset of cells served by the location server, the PRS assistance information includes antenna switching assistance information for the at least one cell, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of;

one or more parameters, and wherein each of the one or more parameters;

identifies a cell in the subset of cells served by the location server, and

indicates whether physical transmitting antenna element switching occurs between PRS positioning occasions for the cell;

or,

information pertaining to an antenna switching interval.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more parameters comprise Boolean parameters.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the antenna switching interval is specified in terms of a number of consecutive PRS positioning occasions transmitted on a physical transmitting antenna element in the at least one cell before the physical transmitting antenna element is switched.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of:

antenna switching pattern information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the OTDOA assistance information is sent to the MS using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location server for the at least one cell is one of:

a Serving Mobile Location Center (SMLC), or an Evolved SMLC (E-SMLC), of a Position Determination Entity (PDE), or a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Location Platform (SLP).

7. A location server comprising:

a communications interface, the communications interface to send Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to User Equipment (UE); and

a processor coupled to the communications interface, the processor configured to generate the OTDOA assistance information for at least one cell in a subset of cells served by the location server, the OTDOA assistance information comprising Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information, wherein when physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell, the PRS assistance information includes antenna switching assistance information for the at least one cell, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of;

one or more parameters, and wherein each of the one or more parameters;

identifies a cell in the subset of cells served by the location server, and

indicates whether physical transmitting antenna element switching occurs between PRS positioning occasions for the cell;

or,

information pertaining to an antenna switching interval.

8. The location server of claim 7, wherein the one or more parameters comprise Boolean parameters.

9. The location server of claim 7, wherein:

the antenna switching interval is specified in terms of a number of consecutive PRS positioning occasions transmitted on a physical transmitting antenna element in the at least one cell before the physical transmitting antenna element is switched.

10. The location server of claim 9, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of:

antenna switching pattern information.

11. The location server of claim 7, wherein:

the processor further generates the OTDOA assistance information as Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

12. A location server comprising:

means for sending Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to a User Equipment (UE); and

means for generating the OTDOA assistance information for at least one cell in a subset of cells served by the location server, the OTDOA assistance information comprising Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information, wherein when physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell, the PRS assistance information includes antenna switching assistance information for the at least one cell, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of;

one or more parameters, and wherein each of the one or more parameters;

identifies a cell in the subset of cells served by the location server, and

indicates whether physical transmitting antenna element switching occurs between PRS positioning occasions for the cell;

or,

information pertaining to an antenna switching interval.

13. The location server of claim 12, wherein the one or more parameters comprise Boolean parameters.

14. The location server of claim 12, wherein:

the antenna switching interval is specified in terms of a number of consecutive PRS positioning occasions transmitted on a physical transmitting antenna element in the at least one cell before the physical transmitting antenna element is switched.

15. The location server of claim 14, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of:

antenna switching pattern information.

16. The location server of claim 12, wherein:

means for generating generates the OTDOA assistance information as Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for providing Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information from a location server, wherein the executable instructions configure a processor to:

send, via a communications interface on the location server, the OTDOA assistance information to a User Equipment (UE), the OTDOA assistance information comprising Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information, wherein when physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by at least one cell in a subset of cells served by the location server, the PRS assistance information includes antenna switching assistance information for the at least one cell, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of;

one or more parameters, and wherein each of the one or more parameters;

identifies a cell in the subset of cells served by the location server, and

indicates whether physical transmitting antenna element switching occurs between PRS positioning occasions for the cell;

or,

information pertaining to an antenna switching interval.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more parameters comprise Boolean parameters.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein:

the antenna switching interval is specified in terms of a number of consecutive PRS positioning occasions transmitted on a physical transmitting antenna element in the at least one cell before the physical transmitting antenna element is switched.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the antenna switching assistance information further comprises at least one of:

antenna switching pattern information.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the antenna switching assistance information is provided using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

22. A method comprising:

receiving Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information at a mobile station (MS), wherein the OTDOA assistance information comprises Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell;

determining whether physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell based, at least in part, on the received antenna switching assistance information; and

if physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell, then, selecting a Time of Arrival (TOA) value for a PRS from a set of TOA values determined based on measurements at the MS during a single PRS positioning occasion, wherein the PRS is received by the MS and the selected TOA value is indicative of a shorter distance between a source of the PRS and the MS than other TOA values in the set of TOA values.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the antenna switching assistance information is provided using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the OTDOA assistance information is transmitted by a location server for the at least one cell.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising determining a location of the MS based, in part, on the selected TOA value and the OTDOA assistance information.

26. A mobile station (MS) comprising:

a transceiver capable of receiving a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information, wherein the OTDOA assistance information comprises PRS assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, the processor configured to;

determine whether physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell based, at least in part, on the received antenna switching assistance information, and

select a Time of Arrival (TOA) value for a PRS from a set of TOA values determined based on measurements during a single PRS positioning occasion, wherein the PRS is received by the MS and the selected TOA value is indicative of a shorter distance between a source of the PRS and the MS than other TOA values in the set of TOA values, if physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell.

27. The mobile station of claim 26, wherein the antenna switching assistance information is provided using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

28. The mobile station of claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured to determine a location of the MS based, in part, on the selected TOA value and the OTDOA assistance information.

29. A mobile station comprising:

transceiver means, the transceiver means to receive a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) and Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information, wherein the OTDOA assistance information comprises PRS assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell; and

processing means coupled to the transceiver means, the processing means further comprising;

means for determining whether physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell based, at least in part, on the received antenna switching assistance information, and

means for selecting a Time of Arrival (TOA) value for a PRS from a set of TOA values determined based on measurements during a single PRS positioning occasion, wherein the PRS is received by the mobile station (MS) and the selected TOA value is indicative of a shorter distance between a source of the PRS and the MS than other TOA values in the set of TOA values, if physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell.

30. The mobile station of claim 29, wherein the antenna switching assistance information is provided using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

31. The mobile station of claim 29, wherein the processing means further comprise means for determining a location of the MS based, in part, on the selected TOA value and the OTDOA assistance information.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, perform steps in a method, the steps comprising:

receiving Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information at a mobile station (MS), wherein the OTDOA assistance information comprises Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) assistance information including antenna switching assistance information for at least one cell;

determining whether physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell based, at least in part, on the received antenna switching assistance information; and

if physical transmitting antenna element switching is used by the at least one cell, then, selecting a Time of Arrival (TOA) value for a PRS from a set of TOA values determined based on measurements at the MS during a single PRS positioning occasion, wherein the PRS is received by the MS and the selected TOA value is indicative of a shorter distance between a source of the PRS and the MS than other TOA values in the set of TOA values.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the antenna switching assistance information is provided using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or LPP extensions (LPPe) messages.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 32, wherein the OTDOA assistance information is transmitted by a location server for the at least one cell.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 32 further comprising determining a location of the MS based, in part, on the selected TOA value and the OTDOA assistance information.

36. A method of generating a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) sequence for a system comprising a plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements serving a single cell, the method comprising:

assigning a distinct Physical Antenna Port (PAP) identifier (ID) to a subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements; and

generating PRS sequences for the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, wherein each PRS sequence corresponds to a physical transmitting antenna element in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, and a function ƒ

(PAP_h) is added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence used to generate a PRS sequence for a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element, the function ƒ

(PAP_h) being based on the PAP ID (h) of the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements comprise a Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements are realized using Remote Radio Heads (RRHs).

39. The method of claim 36, wherein the PAP ID (h) is transmitted as part of Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element by a location server.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the PAP ID (h) is transmitted as part of the Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element based, at least in part, on received information indicating a capability to generate a replica PRS sequence at a mobile station.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein ƒ

(PAP_h)=0 for at least one of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements.

42. An apparatus comprising:

a communications interface, the communications interface to send Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to a mobile station (MS), wherein OTDOA assistance information comprises Physical Antenna Port (PAP) identifiers (IDs); and

a processor coupled to the communications interface, the processor configured to;

assign a distinct PAP ID to each of a plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements serving a single cell, and

generate PRS sequences for a subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, wherein each PRS sequence corresponds to a physical transmitting antenna element in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, and a function ƒ

(PAP_h) is added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence used to generate a PRS sequence for a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element, the function ƒ

(PAP_h) being based on a PAP ID (h) of the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements comprise a Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements are realized using Remote Radio Heads (RRHs).

45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is a location server.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the processor is further configured to include the PAP ID (h) as part of the Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element based, at least in part, on received information indicating a capability to generate a replica PRS sequence at the MS.

47. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein ƒ

(PAP_h)=0 for at least one of the physical transmitting antenna elements in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements.

48. An apparatus comprising:

communications means, the communications means configured to send Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information to a mobile station (MS), wherein OTDOA assistance information comprises Physical Antenna Port (PAP) identifiers (IDs); and

processing means coupled to the communications means, the processing means further comprising;

means for assigning a distinct PAP ID to each of a plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements serving a single cell, and

means for generating PRS sequences for a subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, wherein each PRS sequence corresponds to a physical transmitting antenna element in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, and a function ƒ

(PAP_h) is added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence used to generate a PRS sequence for a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element, the function ƒ

(PAP_h) being based on a PAP ID (h) of the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements comprise a Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements are realized using Remote Radio Heads (RRHs).

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the apparatus is a location server.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the processing means further includes the PAP ID (h) as part of the Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element based, at least in part, on received information indicating a capability to generate a replica PRS sequence at the MS.

53. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein ƒ

(PAP_h)=0 for at least one of the physical transmitting antenna elements in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements.

54. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform steps in a method of generating a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) sequence for a system comprising a plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements serving a single cell, the steps comprising:

assigning a distinct Physical Antenna Port (PAP) identifier (ID) to a subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements; and

generating PRS sequences for the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, wherein each PRS sequence corresponds to a physical transmitting antenna element in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements, and a function ƒ

(PAP_h) is added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence used to generate a PRS sequence for a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element, the function ƒ

(PAP_h) being based on a PAP ID (h) of the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements comprise a Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements are realized using Remote Radio Heads (RRHs).

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein the PAP ID (h) is transmitted as part of Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element by a location server.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 57, wherein the PAP ID (h) is transmitted as part of the Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element based, at least in part, on received information indicating a capability to generate a replica PRS sequence at a mobile station.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 54, wherein ƒ

(PAP_h)=0 for at least one of the physical transmitting antenna elements in the subset of the plurality of physical transmitting antenna elements.

60. A method on a mobile station comprising:

receiving a plurality of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) sequences from a cell, wherein each PRS sequence in the plurality of received PRS sequences is based, in part, on a corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h), wherein the corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h) is;

added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence for a corresponding PRS sequence, and

based on a PAP ID (h) of a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element in the cell.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

receiving, at the mobile station, Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information comprising the PAP ID (h) for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

generating, based on the PAP ID (h) for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element, a corresponding replica PRS sequence.

63. A mobile station comprising:

a transceiver configured to;

receive a plurality of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) sequences from a cell, wherein each PRS sequence in the plurality of received PRS sequences is based, in part, on a corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h), wherein the corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h) is;

added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence for a corresponding PRS sequence, and

based on a PAP ID (h) of a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element in the cell; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to;

initiate transmission, by the transceiver, of capability information, indicating a capability to generate replica PRS sequences replicating the plurality of PRS sequences.

64. The mobile station of claim 63, wherein the transceiver is further configured to:

receive, in response to the capability information, Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information comprising the PAP ID (h) for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

65. The mobile station of claim 64, wherein the processor is further configured to:

generate, based on the PAP ID (h) for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element a corresponding replica PRS sequence.

66. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) sequences from a cell, wherein each PRS sequence in the plurality of received PRS sequences is based, in part, on a corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h), wherein the corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h) is;

added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence for a corresponding PRS sequence, and

based on a PAP ID (h) of a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element in the cell; and

processing means, the processing means to initiate transmission of capability information indicating a capability to generate PRS sequences replicating one or more of the received PRS sequences.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, further comprising:

means for receiving, in response to the capability information, Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information comprising the PAP ID (h) for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.

68. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing executable program instructions which cause a processor to:

receiving a plurality of Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) sequences from a cell, wherein each PRS sequence in the plurality of received PRS sequences is based, in part, on a corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h), wherein the corresponding function ƒ

(PAP_h) is;

added to a seed for a length-31 Gold sequence for a corresponding PRS sequence, and

based on a PAP ID (h) of a corresponding physical transmitting antenna element in the cell.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 68, wherein the executable program instructions further cause the processor to:

receive, at the mobile station, Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance information comprising the PAP ID (h) for the corresponding physical transmitting antenna element.