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5G • 5G-Advanced (Rel-18)

Joint 3D AoA/AoD Localization

Three-Dimensional Angle-of-Arrival and Angle-of-Departure Positioning

Uses Massive MIMO 2D antenna arrays to estimate both horizontal azimuth and vertical elevation angles, determining 3D location from a single cell tower.

Technical Explanation

When a terminal is connected to only one base station (e.g. inside an isolated warehouse aisle), multi-cell trilateration fails. Rel-18 3D Angle-based positioning uses Massive MIMO planar antenna arrays to measure both Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) and Angle-of-Departure (AoD) in azimuth and elevation, determining the user's exact 3D coordinates (X, Y, Z) from a single tower.

Key Functions

  • Determines precise 3D spatial coordinates (X, Y, Z) using only a single base station tower
  • Measures horizontal azimuth and vertical elevation angles on Massive MIMO planar arrays
  • Solves positioning in deep indoor warehouses and rural valleys where only one tower is visible
  • Integrates beamforming angular resolution directly into Location Management Functions
Specifications
3GPP TR 38.857, TS 38.215 (Rel-18)
Interfaces
UuLMF

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