Network operations related to receiving positioning SRS transmissions

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to network operations related to receiving a positioning sounding reference signal transmission. A base station acts as a positioning node for positioning a user equipment (UE). The base station receives information from a network component indicating that the UE is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS), monitors the positioning SRS based on at least the information, and transmits the SRS information to the network when the positioning SRS is received from the UE.

Description

[0001] priority

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 061,265, filed on August 5, 2020, and entitled “Network Operations Related to Receiving Positioning SRS Transmissions,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] A user equipment (UE) may establish a connection with at least one of a plurality of different networks or network types. There are various positioning methods that the network uses to locate the UE. In some positioning methods, including multiple round trip times (RTTs) and uplink time difference of arrival (UTDOA), a sounding reference signal (SRS) is transmitted from the target UE to each of a plurality of network nodes (i.e., positioning nodes) so that the uplink arrival timing of the corresponding SRS at the positioning node can be determined, and the position of the network node UE is determined from this information.

[0004] In order to locate the UE, the network may request the UE's service node to configure the UE for positioning SRS transmission. The network may receive the SRS configuration from the service node and notify the positioning node of the SRS configuration so that the positioning node can monitor the SRS from the UE. However, the network may not have accurate information about when the UE will transmit the SRS and when the UE will not transmit the SRS. For example, the UE may not transmit periodic or semi-persistent SRS during a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive period. In addition, the UE may not transmit periodic, semi-persistent or non-periodic SRS during a measurement gap (MG). If the network is not notified of the time when the UE cannot transmit the SRS, if the positioning node monitors the SRS during these times, the positioning node resources may be wasted. Summary of the invention

[0005] Some exemplary aspects relate to a method performed by a base station acting as a positioning node for positioning a user equipment (UE). The method includes: receiving information indicating that the UE is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) from a network component; monitoring the positioning SRS based at least on the information; and when the positioning SRS is received from the UE, transmitting the SRS information to the network.

[0006] Other exemplary aspects relate to a base station acting as a positioning node for positioning a user equipment (UE). The base station includes one or more processors that receive information indicating that the UE is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) from a network component, monitor the positioning SRS based on at least the information, and when the positioning SRS is received from the UE, transmit the SRS information to the network.

[0007] Another exemplary aspect relates to a computer-readable storage medium having an instruction set. When the instructions are executed by a processor, the processor performs operations. The operations include: receiving information indicating that a user equipment (UE) is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) from a network component of a network; monitoring the positioning SRS based on at least the information; and when the positioning SRS is received from the UE, transmitting the SRS information to the network.

[0008] Other exemplary aspects relate to user equipment having one or more processors that perform operations. The operations include receiving configuration information related to a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) and transmitting the positioning SRS according to the configuration information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 Network arrangements according to various exemplary aspects are shown.

[0010] Figure 2 An exemplary UE according to various exemplary aspects is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 Example network cells according to various example aspects are shown.

[0012] Figure 4 A network arrangement including a UE and three gNBs for positioning determination of the UE is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 A method for positioning a user equipment (UE) is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 A method for preventing positioning SRS signaling periods from being aligned with DRX inactivity times of a user equipment (UE) is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The exemplary aspects may be further understood with reference to the following description and associated drawings, in which similar elements have the same figure numerals. The exemplary aspects describe a network configuration for monitoring a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission from a user equipment UE. Specifically, the exemplary aspects describe a configuration for a positioning node to monitor a positioning SRS from a target UE during a positioning method implemented by a network for a target UE. The positioning node may receive information from the network regarding a time period when the UE will or will not transmit a positioning SRS. The information may include a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration of the UE, a measurement gap (MG) configuration of the UE, and / or other information that affects the time period during which the UE is allowed or prevented from transmitting a positioning SRS, which will be explained in detail below.

[0016] The exemplary aspects are described with reference to a user equipment (UE). However, the use of UE is provided for illustration purposes. The exemplary aspects can be utilized with any electronic component that can establish a connection with a network and is configured with hardware, software and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, as described herein, UE is used to represent any electronic component that can provide a positioning SRS to a network cell so that the network cell can perform positioning measurements for the UE.

[0017] The exemplary aspects are described with reference to the network being a 5G New Radio (NR) network and the base station being a next generation Node B (gNB). The 5G NR network may utilize discontinuous reception cycles (DRX) and measurement gaps (MGs) and configure the connected UEs accordingly. The 5G NR network may also utilize various positioning methods to locate the connected UEs. However, for illustrative purposes, the use of a 5G NR network, a gNB, a DRX cycle, a MG, and the positioning methods are provided. The exemplary aspects may be applied to any type of network utilizing similar functionality.

[0018] In addition, throughout the specification, a gNB may be referred to as a "serving cell". A gNB acting as a serving cell is a cell to which the UE is currently connected, for example, the UE may be in a radio resource control (RRC) connection state with the gNB and may actively exchange data and / or control information with the cell. A gNB may also be referred to as a "positioning gNB", "positioning node" or "positioning cell". A gNB acting as a positioning cell is a cell that helps locate the UE, for example, receiving a positioning SRS signal from the UE to help locate the UE. A gNB may simultaneously act as a serving cell and a positioning cell relative to the UE, or may act only as a positioning cell for the UE.

[0019] In addition, throughout the specification, the term "positioning SRS" or "SRS" is used to describe a signal transmitted by a UE to allow the network to locate the UE. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that SRS can also be used for purposes other than positioning, such as channel estimation. Therefore, the positioning SRS described herein is not limited to any particular type of SRS.

[0020] Figure 1 An exemplary network arrangement 100 according to various exemplary aspects is shown. The exemplary network arrangement 100 includes a user equipment (UE) 110. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a UE may be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a smart phone, a phablet, an embedded device, a wearable device, a Cat-M device, a Cat-M1 device, an MTC device, an eMTC device, other types of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, etc. It should also be understood that an actual network arrangement may include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Therefore, for illustrative purposes, only an example with a single UE 110 is provided.

[0021] UE 110 may communicate directly with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the networks with which UE 110 may wirelessly communicate are 5G NR radio access network (5G NR-RAN) 120, LTE radio access network (LTE-RAN) 122, and wireless local area network (WLAN) 124. Therefore, UE 110 may include a 5G NR chipset that communicates with 5G NR-RAN 120, an LTE chipset that communicates with LTE-RAN 122, and an ISM chipset that communicates with WLAN 124. However, UE 110 may also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., legacy cellular networks), and UE 110 may also communicate with the network via a wired connection. Referring to the exemplary aspect, UE 110 may establish a connection with 5G NR-RAN 122.

[0022] 5G NR-RAN 120 and LTE-RAN 122 may be part of cellular networks that may be deployed by cellular providers (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.). These networks 120, 122 may include, for example, cells or base stations (NodeB, eNodeB, HeNB, eNBS, gNB, gNodeB, macrocell base stations, microcell base stations, small cell base stations, femtocell base stations, etc.) configured to send and receive traffic from UEs equipped with appropriate cellular chipsets. WLAN 124 may include any type of wireless local area network (WiFi, hotspot, IEEE 802.11x network, etc.).

[0023] UE 110 may be connected to a 5G NR-RAN via at least one of next generation nodeB (gNB) 120A and / or gNB 120B. Reference to two gNBs 120A, 120B is for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary aspects may be applied to any appropriate number of gNBs. For example, three or more gNBs may be used as positioning gNBs for estimating a positioning SRS transmitted from a target UE. The positioning gNB may then provide its corresponding measurements (e.g., SRS estimates) to the network so that the network can determine the location of the target UE from the measurements, which will be described in further detail below.

[0024] In addition to the networks 120, 122, and 124, the network arrangement 100 includes a cellular core network 130, the Internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network service backbone 160. The cellular core network 130 (e.g., the 5GC of a 5G NR network) can be viewed as an interconnected collection of components that manage the operation and traffic of the cellular network. The cellular core network 130 also manages the traffic flowing between the cellular network and the Internet 140. The core network 130 may include a location management function (LMF) to support location determination of the UE. As will be further described below, in the exemplary aspects described herein, the LMF may instruct the serving cell to configure the target UE for SRS transmission, provide information to multiple positioning gNBs to monitor and estimate positioning SRS, receive SRS measurements from the positioning gNB, and determine the location of the target UE from the SRS measurements.

[0025] The IMS 150 may be generally described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to the UE 110 using the IP protocol. The IMS 150 may communicate with the cellular core network 130 and the Internet 140 to provide multimedia services to the UE 110. The network service backbone 160 communicates directly or indirectly with the Internet 140 and the cellular core network 130. The network service backbone 160 may be generally described as a set of components (e.g., servers, network storage arrangements, etc.) that implement a set of services that may be used to extend the functionality of the UE 110 to communicate with various networks.

[0026] Figure 2 An exemplary UE 110 is shown according to various exemplary aspects. Figure 1 100 is used to describe the UE 110. The UE 110 may represent any electronic device and may include a processor 205, a memory arrangement 210, a display device 215, an input / output (I / O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and other components 230. The other components 230 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery providing a limited power source, a data acquisition device, a port for electrically connecting the UE 110 to other electronic devices, a sensor for detecting the status of the UE 110, and the like.

[0027] The processor 205 may be configured to execute multiple engines of the UE 110. For example, the engine may include an SRS engine 235 for transmitting a positioning SRS to each positioning node in a plurality of positioning nodes based on a network configuration for the positioning SRS. The positioning SRS is estimated by the positioning node to provide information to the network so that the network can determine the location of the UE, which will be described in further detail below.

[0028] The above-described engine as an application (e.g., program) executed by the processor 205 is merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the engine may also be represented as an independently integrated component of the UE 110, or may be a modular component coupled to the UE 110, such as an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, an integrated circuit may include an input circuit for receiving a signal and a processing circuit for processing the signal and other information. The engine may also be embodied as an application or multiple separate applications. In addition, in some UEs, the functionality described for the processor 205 is shared between two or more processors such as a baseband processor and an application processor. The exemplary aspects may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of the UE.

[0029] The memory 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110. The display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, and the I / O device 220 may be a hardware component that enables a user to perform input. The display device 215 and the I / O device 220 may be separate components or may be integrated together (such as a touch screen). The transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish a connection with the 5G NR RAN 120, the LTE RAN 122, etc. Therefore, the transceiver 225 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a continuous frequency group).

[0030] Figure 3 An exemplary network cell, in this case a gNB 120A, is shown according to various exemplary aspects. As described above with respect to UE 110, gNB 120A may represent a serving cell for UE 110. gNB 120A may represent any access node belonging to a 5G NR network that UE 110 may use to establish a connection and manage network operations. Additionally, gNB 120A may represent a positioning node used in a positioning method implemented by the network for locating a target UE. Figure 3 The gNB 120A shown may also represent gNB 120B.

[0031] The gNB 120A may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, an input / output (I / O) device 320, a transceiver 325, and other components 330. The other components 330 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, a port for electrically connecting the gNB 120A to other electronic devices, and the like.

[0032] The processor 305 may be configured to execute multiple engines of the gNB 120A. For example, when the gNB 120A is a serving cell for a UE, the engine may include a UE configuration engine 335 for providing UE configuration information (e.g., information related to when the UE is in DRX inactive mode or has a time period with a measurement gap (MG)) to the network. The network may then distribute the information to the positioning node so that the positioning node can monitor. When the gNB 120A is a positioning cell used by the network to locate the UE, the engine may also include an SRS monitoring engine 340, which is used to receive UE configuration information from the network and monitor SRS positioning from the UE based on the configuration information. For example, the gNB 120A may determine the time period during which it will monitor the positioning SRS and the time period during which it will not monitor the positioning SRS based on the UE configuration information (described in further detail below), and estimate the positioning SRS when the positioning SRS is received from the UE.

[0033] The engines described above are each represented as an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 305 and are merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the engines may also be represented as independently integrated components of the gNB 120A, or may be modular components coupled to the gNB 120A, such as integrated circuits with or without firmware. For example, an integrated circuit may include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. In addition, in some gNBs, the functionality described for the processor 305 is split between multiple processors (e.g., a baseband processor, an application processor, etc.). The exemplary aspects may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of the gNB.

[0034] The memory 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110, 112. The I / O device 320 may be a hardware component or port that enables a user to interact with the gNB 120A. The transceiver 325 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with the UE 110, 112 and any other UE in the system 100, for example, when the gNB 120A is used as a PCell or SCell for either or both of the UEs 110, 112. The transceiver 325 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of continuous frequencies). Thus, the transceiver 325 may include one or more components (e.g., radio components) to enable data exchange with various networks and UEs.

[0035] As described above, the UE may be configured to have a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle to save power. The DRX cycle utilizes an active mode of data exchange processing and an inactive sleep mode. The UE may use the processed active mode at defined intervals to perform scheduled operations, such as performing measurements, transmissions (e.g., requests, measurement reports, uplink data, etc.) and receptions (e.g., control channel information, reference signals, synchronization signals, downlink data, etc.) related to network conditions. The time period during which the UE may be scheduled to receive control channel information may be referred to as the on-duration (OnDuration) of the DRX cycle or the DRX active time. The on-duration refers to the duration during which the UE may perform operations that enable the UE to receive data that may be transmitted to the UE, such as, but not limited to, control channel information, uplink grants, downlink grants, reference signals, synchronization signals, payload data, etc.

[0036] During the DRX cycle, when the on-duration is not scheduled, the UE may have the opportunity to utilize an inactive sleep mode and save power. This period of time may be referred to as the DRX inactivity time. However, references to the DRX cycle are provided for illustrative purposes only, and different networks may utilize different names to refer to similar concepts. The exemplary aspects may be applicable to any scenario in which the UE transitions between a power saving mode (in which certain operations are suspended) and an active mode (in which operations are resumed) with respect to data exchange processing.

[0037] The DRX cycle may have a predetermined duration N, such as 100 milliseconds (ms), 50 ms, 40 ms, 20 ms, etc. For example, at time 0, there may be an on-duration during which an active mode of processing is used. Subsequently, at the end of the on-duration, the UE has the opportunity to utilize an inactive sleep mode. Then at time N, there may be another on-duration. Subsequently, the sleep mode is used until time 2N. The process continues for the duration of the DRX cycle. Reference to an inactive sleep mode does not necessarily mean that the processor, transmitter, and receiver of the UE are put to sleep, hibernate, or deactivate. For example, the processor (e.g., baseband and / or application) may continue to execute other applications or processes. The sleep mode involves saving power by interrupting continuous processing functions related to operations that enable the UE to receive data that can be transmitted to the UE and transmit the data to the network. In addition, reference to a DRX cycle configured in ms units is merely for illustrative purposes, and exemplary aspects may utilize a DRX cycle based on a subframe or any other suitable time unit.

[0038] The UE may also be configured with measurement gaps (MGs) for performing frequency measurements while suspending other capabilities, such as sending / receiving data. The measurement gap configuration may depend on the capabilities, active BWP, and / or operating frequency of the UE. The measurement gap may have a predefined duration and repeat periodically. Typically, the UE will tune away from the currently connected network or frequency band during the measurement gap to measure signals associated with other networks and / or at frequencies different from the frequency with which it is currently operating. During this measurement gap, the UE is unavailable to the currently connected network, for example, the UE neither sends signals to the currently connected network nor receives signals from the currently connected network.

[0039] In some methods for determining the location of a user equipment (UE), such as multiple round trip time (RTT) positioning or uplink time difference of arrival (UTDOA), a positioning SRS is transmitted from the target UE to multiple network nodes so that each of these nodes can estimate the uplink arrival timing from the UE. The network can then use the information provided by the positioning node to determine the location of the UE.

[0040] Figure 4 A network arrangement 400 including a UE 402 and three gNBs 404 for positioning determination of the UE 402 is shown. Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , it can be considered that UE 402 can be similar to reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can also be considered that the gNB 404 can be similar to the reference Figure 1 and Figure 3gNB120A and 120B described. In arrangement 400, gNB 404a is a serving cell for UE 402, and gNBs 404b and 404c may be configured by the network to serve as positioning nodes. gNB 404a may also be used as a positioning node in a positioning method. Positioning gNBs 404b and 404c are configured to listen to and estimate positioning SRS transmitted from UE 402, and provide measurements to the network, for example, via a location management function (LMF) at a 5G core network (5GC). The LMF may be considered to be a positioning server for coordinating the transmission of positioning SRS from the UE, providing information for monitoring the positioning SRS to the positioning node, and receiving SRS estimates from the positioning node.

[0041] In a typical positioning method such as multiple RTT or UTDOA, the LMF may request the serving gNB 404a to configure the UE 402 for positioning SRS transmission and know the positioning SRS configuration from the serving gNB 404a. The LMF distributes the positioning SRS configuration information to all positioning gNBs 404 so that when the UE 402 transmits the positioning SRS to the positioning gNB, the gNB 404 can estimate the positioning SRS from the target UE 402 based on the information provided by the LMF.

[0042] One potential issue with these exemplary positioning methods is whether the LMF knows the exact information about when the UE will transmit the positioning SRS and / or when the UE will not transmit the positioning SRS. If the LMF does not know when the UE cannot transmit the SRS, the gNB resources may be wasted in monitoring the positioning SRS from the UE.

[0043] In some exemplary aspects, the UE shall not transmit periodic positioning SRS and semi-persistent (SP) positioning SRS outside of DRX active time, but may transmit aperiodic SRS (if configured by the network) regardless of the DRX state. If the positioning SRS transmission follows these exemplary aspects, positioning gNBs other than the serving cell for the UE shall not know when the UE will transmit SRS.

[0044] Exemplary aspects relate to providing information for a positioning gNB for establishing a monitoring period for monitoring a positioning SRS from a target UE, for example in a positioning method for a target UE implemented by a network. The gNB monitoring may depend on the UE configuration of the DRX cycle and / or measurement gaps during which the UE may not be able to transmit the positioning SRS. Each of these exemplary aspects will be described in more detail below.

[0045] Figure 5A method 500 for positioning a user equipment (UE) is shown. The method 500 will be described with reference to the network arrangement 400. In 505, the network (e.g., the LMF of the core network 130) instructs a serving cell (e.g., the gNB 404a) serving the UE (e.g., the UE 402) to configure the UE 402 by positioning the SRS.

[0046] In 510, the serving gNB 404a configures the UE 402 by positioning the SRS. For example, the UE 402 may be configured with time domain resources and frequency domain resources for transmitting the positioning SRS. In 515, the serving gNB 404a provides the network (e.g., LMF) with UE 402 configuration information, including, for example, DRX information and / or MG information.

[0047] In 520, the network distributes the UE 402 configuration information to the positioning gNBs 404b and 404c. In 525, the positioning gNBs 404b and 404c (and the serving gNB 404a acting as the positioning gNB) monitor the positioning SRS of the target UE 402 based on the UE configuration information. Relative to gNBs that are unaware of the UE configuration, gNBs 404b and 404c can monitor for a reduced duration, thereby saving resources of the gNBs. In 530, the positioning gNBs 404a-c provide their respective SRS estimates to the network. In 535, the network determines the location of the UE 402 based on the SRS estimates provided by the positioning gNBs 404a-c.

[0048] With respect to the first exemplary aspect described above, in a first option, the UE may be configured in the following manner based on, for example, a network specification. The UE is configured such that periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS cannot be transmitted during DRX inactivity time, and aperiodic positioning SRS is transmitted regardless of the DRX activity / inactivity time. Alternatively or in addition, the UE may be configured such that any type of positioning SRS (periodic SRS, semi-persistent SRS, or aperiodic SRS) cannot be transmitted within a measurement gap (MG).

[0049] In a first option, the serving gNB 404a of the target UE 402 may send DRX information of the UE 402 to the core network 130. For example, the gNB 404a may send the DRX information to the LMF via NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa). NRPPa includes procedures for handling the transmission of positioning related information between NR nodes and the LMF. The DRX information may include (but is not limited to): DRX timing information for indicating the DRX active time and inactive time of the UE, such as drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle, drx-ShortCycleTimer, drx-onDurationTimer, and a reference time of the DRX timeline used by the LMF to understand the absolute timing of DRX on the UE. The reference time is used because the timing of the UE / gNB may be different from the local time at the LMF.

[0050] In addition or alternatively, the serving gNB 404a of the target UE 402 may send UE measurement gap (MG) information to the LMF via NRPPa. The MG information may include (but is not limited to): MG timing information, such as MGRP (measurement gap repetition period), MGL (measurement gap length), MGTA (measurement gap timing advance), and reference time of the MG timeline. Similar to the DRX reference time, the LMF uses the MG reference time to understand the absolute timing of the MG on the UE.

[0051] The LMF distributes the above-mentioned DRX information (if used) and MG information (if used) to all positioned gNBs, such as gNBs 404b and 404c.

[0052] In other exemplary aspects, UE 402 is configured in a manner similar to the first option. For example, UE 402 is configured such that periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS are not transmitted during DRX inactive time, and aperiodic positioning SRS is transmitted regardless of the DRX active / inactive time. UE 402 is further configured such that no type of positioning SRS can be transmitted within a measurement gap (MG).

[0053] In these aspects, positioning gNB 404b-c does not receive any DRX or MG information from serving gNB 404a. Positioning gNB 404b-c will attempt to receive positioning SRS from UE 402 regardless of the DRX and MG status of UE 402, e.g., positioning gNB 404b-c will listen to positioning SRS from UE 402 during the time period when gNB 404b-c expects UE 402 to be transmitting positioning SRS without regard to the DRX or MG status of UE 402.

[0054] With respect to the first exemplary aspect described above, in a second option, the UE is configured such that periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS are not transmitted during DRX inactive time, while aperiodic positioning SRS is transmitted regardless of the active / inactive time of DRX, similar to the first option. However, in the second option, the UE may support per-frame measurement gaps. If the UE only supports MG for UE (per-UE MG) (e.g., the same measurement gap applied to both FR1 and FR2), the positioning SRS cannot be transmitted within the MG, similar to the first option. If the UE supports MG for FR (per-FR MG) (e.g., two independent gap patterns are defined for FR1 and FR2, respectively), the positioning SRS in FR1 cannot be transmitted within the FR1 MG, but can be transmitted within the FR2 MG. The positioning SRS in FR2 cannot be transmitted within the FR2 MG, but can be transmitted within the FR1 MG. If the MG for UE is configured by the network, the positioning SRS (in FR1 or FR2) cannot be transmitted within the MG for UE.

[0055] In the second option, similar to the first option, the serving gNB 404a of the target UE 402 may send the DRX information to the LMF via NRPPa. The DRX information may include the same information discussed above with respect to the first option, i.e., DRX timing information for indicating the DRX active time and inactive time of the UE 402, such as drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle, drx-ShortCycleTimer, drx-onDurationTimer, and a reference time of the DRX timeline used by the LMF to understand the absolute timing of the DRX of the UE 402.

[0056] In addition or alternatively, the serving gNB 404a of the target UE 402 may send UE measurement gap (MG) information to the LMF via NRPPa. In the second option, the MG information includes the MG type, for example, for UE MG, FR1 MG, or FR2 MG. The MG information may also include (but is not limited to): MG timing information, such as MGRP (measurement gap repetition period), MGL (measurement gap length), MGTA (measurement gap timing advance), and reference time of the MG timeline. The LMF distributes the above-mentioned DRX (if configured) and MG information (if configured) to all positioning gNBs 404b-c.

[0057] In other exemplary aspects, UE 402 is configured in a manner similar to the second option discussed above. For example, UE 402 is configured such that periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS are not transmitted during DRX inactive time, while aperiodic positioning SRS are transmitted regardless of the active / inactive time of DRX. If UE 402 only supports MG for UE (e.g., the same measurement gap applied to both FR1 and FR2), all types of positioning SRS cannot be transmitted in MG. Otherwise, if UE supports MG for FR (e.g., two independent gap patterns are defined for FR1 and FR2, respectively), positioning SRS in FR1 cannot be transmitted in FR1 MG, but can be transmitted in FR2 MG. Positioning SRS in FR2 cannot be transmitted in FR2 MG, but can be transmitted in FR1 MG. If MG for UE is configured by the network, all types of positioning SRS (in FR1 or FR2) cannot be transmitted in MG for UE.

[0058] In these exemplary aspects, positioning gNB 404b-c does not receive any DRX or MG information from serving gNB 404a. Positioning gNB 404b-c will attempt to receive positioning SRS from UE 404 regardless of the DRX state of UE 402. For MG, positioning gNB 404b-c will attempt to receive positioning SRS from the UE outside of the corresponding MG duration.

[0059] In the exemplary aspects discussed above, the UE is restricted to transmitting periodic and SP-positioned SRS only during the DRX active state. According to further exemplary aspects, the UE is allowed to transmit periodic and SP-positioned SRS during the DRX inactive time.

[0060] In the first option, when the UE 402 is allowed to transmit the positioning SRS during the inactive time, the UE 402 may decide whether to transmit the configured periodic or SP positioning SRS during the DRX inactive time based on various considerations. For example, in one aspect, the UE 402 may determine whether to transmit or not transmit based on power consumption evaluation. On the other hand, if the positioning SRS is also configured for purposes other than positioning (e.g., UL channel estimation), the UE 402 may determine not to transmit the positioning SRS, or alternatively, transmit the positioning SRS.

[0061] In these aspects, all positioning gNBs 404a-c will monitor the positioning SRS regardless of the UE DRX state, even though it cannot be determined whether the UE 402 will transmit the positioning SRS during the inactive period.

[0062] In the second option, when the UE 402 is allowed to transmit during the inactive time period, the network may require the UE 402 to transmit the configured periodic or SP positioning SRS during the DRX inactive time. In these aspects, all positioning gNBs 404a-c will monitor all those positioning SRS regardless of the UE DRX state.

[0063] In other exemplary aspects, serving cell 404a may configure UE 402 such that SRS signaling time periods are not scheduled during DRX inactivity time periods. Figure 6 A method 600 is shown for preventing positioning SRS signaling periods from being aligned with DRX inactivity times of a user equipment (UE). In 605, after configuring positioning SRS for UE 402, the serving gNB 404a checks the UE DRX state and the periodic or SP positioning SRS configuration of the UE 402. In 610, the serving gNB 404a compares the DRX and SRS configurations. Specifically, the serving gNB 404a compares the timing of the DRX inactivity time relative to the timing of the SRS transmissions.

[0064] In 615, if the configured periodic or SP-positioned SRS is within the inactive time of DRX, the serving gNB 404a changes the DRX configuration of the UE 402. In one option, the serving gNB 404a changes the DRX configuration so that the configured periodic or SP-positioned SRS is within the active time of DRX. In another option, the serving gNB 404a changes the DRX configuration of the UE 402 to non-DRX. In non-DRX, the UE 402 needs to transmit all configured periodic or SP-positioned SRS at the allocated time.

[0065] Alternatively, in 620, if the configured periodic or SP positioning SRS is within the inactive time of DRX, the serving gNB 404a changes the periodic or SP positioning SRS of the UE 402. In one option, the serving gNB 404a changes the periodic or SP positioning SRS of the UE 402 so that the reconfigured periodic or SP positioning SRS is within the active time of DRX. In another option, the serving gNB 404a changes the periodic or SP positioning SRS of the UE 402 to an aperiodic SRS. In the aperiodic SRS configuration, the UE 402 transmits an aperiodic positioning SRS based on network indication.

[0066] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary aspects described above may be implemented in any suitable software configuration or hardware configuration or combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary aspects may include, for example, Intel x86-based platforms with compatible operating systems, Windows OS, Mac platforms and MAC OS, mobile devices with operating systems such as iOS, Android, etc. In other examples, the exemplary aspects of the above methods may be embodied as a program including lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which, when compiled, may be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0067] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0068] Although this patent application describes various combinations of various aspects, each with different features, those skilled in the art will understand that any feature of one aspect may be combined with features of other aspects or features that are not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation or function of the device of the aspects disclosed in the present invention in any manner not publicly denied.

[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure, provided that these modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: At a base station acting as a positioning node for positioning user equipment UE: receiving information indicating that the UE is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) from a network component, wherein the information includes UE configuration information, the UE configuration information including DRX timing information for indicating a DRX active time and a DRX inactive time in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the UE, wherein the UE does not transmit periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRSs during the DRX inactive time, and the UE transmits an aperiodic positioning SRS during both the DRX active time and the DRX inactive time; monitoring the positioning SRS based at least on the information; as well as When a positioning SRS is received from the UE, SRS information is transmitted to the network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UE configuration information is related to a time period when the UE transmits a positioning SRS, the method further comprising: A monitoring time period for monitoring the positioning SRS is determined based on the UE configuration information.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the DRX timing information comprises at least one of drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle, drx-ShortCycleTimer, drx-onDurationTimer, or a reference time of the DRX cycle.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the UE configuration information includes measurement gap (MG) timing information of the UE. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the UE configuration information includes that the UE does not transmit a positioning SRS during a MG. 6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the MG timing information comprises one of a measurement gap repetition period, a measurement gap length, a measurement gap timing advance, or a reference time of the MG. 7 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the MG timing information comprises an MG type which is an MG type for a UE, wherein when the MG type is the MG type for a UE, the UE does not transmit a positioning SRS.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the MG timing information comprises an MG type for a frequency range FR type, wherein when a FR1 MG exists, the UE transmits a positioning SRS in FR2, and when a FR2 MG exists, the UE transmits a positioning SRS in FR1.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network component comprises a location management function LMF of the network.

10. A base station acting as a positioning node for positioning a user equipment UE, comprising: One or more processors configured to: receiving information indicating that the UE is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal (SRS) from a network component, wherein the information includes UE configuration information, the UE configuration information including DRX timing information for indicating a DRX active time and a DRX inactive time in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the UE, wherein the UE does not transmit periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRSs during the DRX inactive time, and the UE transmits an aperiodic positioning SRS during both the DRX active time and the DRX inactive time; monitoring the positioning SRS based at least on the information; as well as When a positioning SRS is received from the UE, SRS information is transmitted to the network.

11. The base station according to claim 10, wherein the UE configuration information is related to a time period when the UE transmits a positioning SRS, and the one or more processors are further configured to: A monitoring time period for monitoring the positioning SRS is determined based on the UE configuration information.

12. The base station according to claim 10, wherein the DRX timing information comprises at least one of drx-LongCycleStartOffset, drx-ShortCycle, drx-ShortCycleTimer, drx-onDurationTimer, or a reference time of the DRX cycle.

13. The base station according to claim 11, wherein the UE configuration information includes measurement gap (MG) timing information of the UE. 14 . The base station of claim 13 , wherein the MG timing information comprises one of a measurement gap repetition period, a measurement gap length, a measurement gap timing advance, or a reference time of the MG. 15 . The base station according to claim 13 , wherein the MG timing information comprises a MG type, and the MG type is one of for a UE or for a frequency range FR.

16. The base station according to claim 15, wherein the UE supports the MG type for FR, wherein independent gap patterns are defined for FR1 and FR2, respectively, and the UE configuration information includes MG timing information related to FR1 or FR2.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving information indicating that a user equipment UE is transmitting a positioning sounding reference signal SRS from a network component of a network, wherein the information includes UE configuration information, the UE configuration information including DRX timing information for indicating a DRX active time and a DRX inactive time in a discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the UE, wherein the UE does not transmit periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS during the DRX inactive time, and the UE transmits an aperiodic positioning SRS during both the DRX active time and the DRX inactive time; monitoring the positioning SRS based at least on the information; as well as When a positioning SRS is received from the UE, SRS information is transmitted to the network.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the UE configuration information is related to a time period when the UE transmits a positioning SRS, the operation further comprising: A monitoring time period for monitoring the positioning SRS is determined based on the UE configuration information.

19. A user equipment UE, comprising: One or more processors configured to perform operations comprising: Receiving configuration information related to a positioning sounding reference signal SRS, wherein the configuration information further includes DRX timing information indicating a DRX active time and a DRX inactive time in a discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the UE, and the operation further includes: operating the UE according to the DRX timing information; and The positioning SRS is transmitted according to the configuration information, wherein the transmitting the positioning SRS includes not transmitting the periodic and semi-persistent positioning SRS during the DRX inactive time, and transmitting the aperiodic positioning SRS during the DRX active time and the DRX inactive time.

20. The UE according to claim 19, wherein the configuration information comprises measurement gap (MG) timing information of the UE.

21. The UE of claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise: The UE is operated according to the MG timing information, wherein the transmitting the positioning SRS includes not transmitting a periodic, semi-persistent or aperiodic SRS during a MG.

22. The UE of claim 20, wherein the MG timing information comprises an MG type that is an MG type for the UE, wherein the operations further comprise: The UE is operated according to the MG timing information, wherein the transmitting the positioning SRS includes not transmitting the positioning SRS when the MG type is the MG type for the UE.

23. The UE of claim 20, wherein the MG timing information comprises an MG type for a frequency range FR type, wherein the operation further comprises: The UE is operated according to the MG timing information, wherein the transmitting the positioning SRS includes transmitting the positioning SRS in FR2 when a FR1 MG is present, and transmitting the positioning SRS in FR1 when a FR2 MG is present.

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