IP Library Granted Patent US 12,562,870
Granted Patent B2
US 12,562,870 · App. 18/245,023 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Aggregation of positioning signal and supplemental signal

Inventors: Weimin Duan (San Diego, CA); Alexandros Manolakos (Escondido, CA); Hung Dinh Ly (San Diego, CA); Jing Lei (San Diego, CA); Yongjun Kwak (San Diego, CA); Yuchul Kim (San Diego, CA); Huilin Xu (Temecula, CA); Hwan Joon Kwon (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
H04L5/0051H04L5/0053
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,562,870
App. No.
18/245,023
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A signal processing method includes: receiving, at a UE, a PRS and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal and spanning a first frequency range at least partially outside of a second frequency range spanned by the PRS; processing, at the UE, the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination, resulting in an effective signal bandwidth that is larger than the second frequency range, to determine position information; and at least one of: transmitting a capability message, from the UE to a network entity, indicating a processing capability of the UE to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal; or transmitting a signal-combination indication, from the UE to the network entity, indicating that the UE processed the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination to determine the position information.

Claims (60)

1 . A user equipment configured for wireless signal transfer, the user equipment comprising:

an interface;

a memory; and

a processor, communicatively coupled to the interface and the memory, and configured to:

receive, via the interface, a PRS (positioning reference signal) and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal and spanning a first frequency range at least partially outside of a second frequency range spanned by the PRS;

process the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination, resulting in an effective signal bandwidth that is larger than the second frequency range, to determine position information; and

at least one of:

transmit a capability message, via the interface to a network entity, indicating a processing capability of the user equipment to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal; or

transmit a signal-combination indication, via the interface to the network entity, indicating that the processor processed the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination to determine the position information.

2 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the supplemental signal is a synchronization signal block signal.

3 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to coherently combine the PRS and the supplemental signal to determine the position information.

4 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the capability message with the capability message further indicating whether the processor is able to process the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination with the PRS and the supplemental signal having different numerologies.

5 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the capability message with the capability message indicating the processing capability of the user equipment to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal and a corresponding frequency band or a corresponding frequency band combination.

6 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the capability message with the capability message indicating a minimum overlap of the first frequency range and the second frequency range.

7 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the capability message with the capability message indicating a maximum time associated with the PRS and the supplemental signal.

8 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the capability message with the capability message indicating a position information accuracy and at least one of whether the PRS and the supplemental signal overlap in frequency, an amount of frequency overlap of the PRS and the supplemental signal, a time drift accuracy, or a phase offset accuracy.

9 . The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit the signal-combination indication indicating an accuracy of the position information.

10 . A user equipment configured for wireless signal transfer, the user equipment comprising:

means for receiving a PRS (positioning reference signal) and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal and spanning a first frequency range at least partially outside of a second frequency range spanned by the PRS;

means for processing the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination, resulting in an effective signal bandwidth that is larger than the second frequency range, to determine position information; and

at least one of:

first transmitting means for transmitting a capability message, to a network entity, indicating a processing capability of the user equipment to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal; or

second transmitting means for transmitting a signal-combination indication, to the network entity, indicating that the user equipment processed the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination to determine the position information.

11 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the supplemental signal is a synchronization signal block signal.

12 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the means for processing comprise means for coherently combining the PRS and the supplemental signal to determine the position information.

13 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises the first transmitting means, wherein the capability message further indicates whether the user equipment is able to process the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination with the PRS and the supplemental signal having different numerologies.

14 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises the first transmitting means, the user equipment further comprising means for producing the capability message to indicate the processing capability of the user equipment to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal and a corresponding frequency band or a corresponding frequency band combination.

15 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises the first transmitting means, the user equipment further comprising means for producing the capability message to indicate a minimum overlap of the first frequency range and the second frequency range.

16 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises the first transmitting means, the user equipment further comprising means for producing the capability message to indicate a maximum time associated with the PRS and the supplemental signal.

17 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises the first transmitting means, the user equipment further comprising means for producing the capability message to indicate a position information accuracy and at least one of whether the PRS and the supplemental signal overlap in frequency, an amount of frequency overlap of the PRS and the supplemental signal, a time drift accuracy, or a phase offset accuracy.

18 . The user equipment of claim 10 , wherein the user equipment comprises the second transmitting means, the user equipment further comprising means for producing the signal-combination indication to indicate an accuracy of the position information.

19 . A signal processing method comprising:

receiving, at a UE (user equipment), a PRS (positioning reference signal) and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal and spanning a first frequency range at least partially outside of a second frequency range spanned by the PRS;

processing, at the UE, the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination, resulting in an effective signal bandwidth that is larger than the second frequency range, to determine position information; and

at least one of:

transmitting a capability message, from the UE to a network entity, indicating a processing capability of the UE to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal; or

transmitting a signal-combination indication, from the UE to the network entity, indicating that the UE processed the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination to determine the position information.

20 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the supplemental signal is a synchronization signal block signal.

21 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein processing the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination comprises coherently combining the PRS and the supplemental signal to determine the position information.

22 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the signal processing method comprises transmitting the capability message, the signal processing method further comprising producing the capability message to indicate whether the UE is able to process the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination with the PRS and the supplemental signal having different numerologies.

23 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the signal processing method comprises transmitting the capability message, the signal processing method further comprising producing the capability message to indicate the processing capability of the UE to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal and a corresponding frequency band or a corresponding frequency band combination.

24 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the signal processing method comprises transmitting the capability message, the signal processing method further comprising producing the capability message to indicate a minimum overlap of the first frequency range and the second frequency range.

25 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the signal processing method comprises transmitting the capability message, the signal processing method further comprising producing the capability message to indicate a maximum time associated with the PRS and the supplemental signal.

26 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the signal processing method comprises transmitting the capability message, the signal processing method further comprising producing the capability message to indicate a position information accuracy and at least one of whether the PRS and the supplemental signal overlap in frequency, an amount of frequency overlap of the PRS and the supplemental signal, a time drift accuracy, or a phase offset accuracy.

27 . The signal processing method of claim 19 , wherein the signal processing method comprises transmitting the signal-combination indication, the signal processing method further comprising producing the signal-combination indication to indicate an accuracy of the position information.

28 . A non-transitory, processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a UE (user equipment) to:

receive a PRS (positioning reference signal) and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal and spanning a first frequency range at least partially outside of a second frequency range spanned by the PRS;

process the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination, resulting in an effective signal bandwidth that is larger than the second frequency range, to determine position information; and

at least one of:

transmit a capability message, to a network entity, indicating a processing capability of the UE to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal; or

transmit a signal-combination indication, to the network entity, indicating that the processor processed the PRS and the supplemental signal in combination to determine the position information.

29 . A network entity comprising:

an interface;

a memory; and

a processor, communicatively coupled to the interface and the memory, and configured to:

receive, via the interface, a capability message indicating a processing capability of a user equipment to process, in combination, a PRS (positioning reference signal) and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal; and

request transmission of the PRS and the supplemental signal from a TRP (transmission/reception point) in accordance with one or more criteria to enable the user equipment to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal to meet at least one accuracy threshold.

30 . A signal transmission requesting method comprising:

receiving, at a network entity from a user equipment, a capability message indicating a processing capability of the user equipment to process, in combination, a PRS (positioning reference signal) and a supplemental signal, the supplemental signal being a broadcast signal; and

requesting transmission of the PRS and the supplemental signal from a TRP (transmission/reception point) in accordance with one or more criteria to enable the user equipment to process, in combination, the PRS and the supplemental signal to meet at least one accuracy threshold.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2023
From: DUAN, WEIMIN; MANOLAKOS, ALEXANDROS; LY, HUNG DINH; LEI, JING; KWAK, YONGJUN; KIM, YUCHUL; XU, HUILIN; KWON, HWAN JOON
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 062963/0276 →
Priority Claims (1)
GR 20200100711 · Dec 3, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230370230A1 · Nov 16, 2023
References Cited (27)
US 10736113B2 · Wang et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 11356804B2 · Edge et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20180332430A1 · Kumar et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190082288A1 · Kumar et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190150187A1 · Park et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200235877A1 · Manolakos et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 109644423A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
TW 202027544A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO 2017142725 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
WO 2019164652A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO 2019168461A1 · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO 2020091545A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
Huawei et al. “Downlink based solutions for NR positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Ad-Hoc Meeting 1901, Taipei, Jan. 21-25, 2019, R1-1900036 (Year: 2019). [cited by examiner]
Intel Corporation, “Summary of NR-Positioning AI—7.2.10.1.1 DL only Based Positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #96, Athens Greece, Feb. 25-Mar. 1, 2019, R1-1903394 (Year: 2019). [cited by examiner]
Vivo, “Discussion on potential positioning enhancements”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #103-e, e-Meeting, Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 2020, R1-2007666 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
CATT, “NLOS channel modelling and time synchronization for NR positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #103-e, e-meeting, Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 2020, R2-20007861 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
CMCC, “Discussion on potential positioning enhancements”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #103-e, e-meeting, Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 2020, R1-2008015 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
OPPO, “Analysis of NR Positioning Requirements”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #103e, e-Meeting, Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 2020, R1-2008227 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
Nokia et al., “Additional considerations for positioning enhancements”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #103e, R1-2008302 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
MediaTek Inc., “Views on positioning enhancements for Rel-17”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #103 Meeting, e-Meeting, Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 2020, R1-2008519 (Year: 2020). [cited by examiner]
Huawei, et al., “Downlink Based Solutions for NR Positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Ad-Hoc Meeting 1901, R1-1900036, 3rd Generation Partnership Project, Mobile Competence Centre, 650, Route Des Lucioles, F-06921 Sophia-Anti… [cited by applicant]
Intel Corporation: “Summary for NR-Positioning AI—7.2.10.1.1 DL Only Based Positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #96, R1-1903394, 3rd Generation Partnership Project, Mobile Competence Centre, 650, Route Des Lucioles, F… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion—PCT/US2021/061049—ISA/EPO—Mar. 18, 2022. [cited by applicant]
Huawei, et al., “Remaining Issues on DL PRS for NR Positioning”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #99, R1-1911896, Reno, USA, Nov. 18-22, 2019, 8 Pages. [cited by applicant]
Moderator (CATT): “FL Summary #10 for Potential Positioning Enhancements”, 3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #103-e, R1-2009679, e-Meeting, Oct. 26-Nov. 13, 2020, 143 papges, Sections 2.1, 4.1, 4.3, 5.2, 5.5. [cited by applicant]
Taiwan Search Report—TW110144896—TIPO—Jul. 30, 2025. [cited by applicant]
China National Intellectual Property Administration, Second Examination Opinion Notification, Application No. 202180079992.X, dated Sep. 29, 2025, 10 pages. [cited by applicant]