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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 4/10

Apple patents method for locating low-power 5G devices

This patent describes a way for 5G devices with limited processing power to determine their location. The device tells the network its specific limits, such as how fast it can switch frequencies, and the network adjusts the location signals accordingly.

Why it mattersThis helps ensure that small, battery-saving gadgets can still find their position accurately without needing expensive, high-power chips.

In the filing’s own words

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for positioning reference signals (PRSs) for reduced capacity devices, e.g., in 5G NR systems and beyond. A UE may report, to a network (e.g., to a base station or an LMF) one or more capabilities associated with a positioning procedure for location estimation, e.g., such as a radio frequency retuning time, a parameter indicating a number of bandwidth switches needed by the UE to cover an effective bandwidth and a duration of downlink positioning reference signal symbols, N, that the UE can process in an indicated time period, T, and/or a processing bandwidth, among other parameters. The UE may be configured to transmit a reference signal configuration for the positioning procedure. The reference signal configuration may support frequency hopping with tone-overlap. The reference signal configuration may include an indication of a repetition factor and/or an indication of a frequency hopping factor. In addition, the UE may be configured to perform reference signal measurements, e.g., based on the reference signal configuration.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for transmitting a reference signal configuration for performing location estimation, comprising: generating, by a user equipment device (UE), signaling for transmission, to a network, of one or more UE capabilities associated with a location estimation positioning procedure and a reference signal configuration for the location estimation positioning procedure, wherein the reference signal configuration configures at least one non-PRS reference signal comprising a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for use in the location estimation positioning procedure; and performing, by the UE, the location estimation positioning procedure in accordance with the reference signal configuration generated for transmission to the network, the performing comprising obtaining: measurements on at least one positioning reference signal (PRS) of the reference signal configuration; and measurements on the at least one non-PRS reference signal comprising the DMRS of the reference signal configuration, wherein the measurements on the DMRS are useable to estimate a location of the UE as part of the location estimation positioning procedure.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Reference signal configuration for location estimation of reduced capacity devices
Patent number
US12745059B2
Application number
17885441
Filed
Aug 10, 2022
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 4/029 Electricity & electronicsH04W 16/14 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.