Positioning method and communication device

Abstract

A positioning method and communication device, wherein the method includes: a first base station receiving a first request from a positioning management function network element, the first request being used to request the first base station to instruct a terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the first base station sending a second request to the terminal based on the first request, the second request being used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal; the first base station receiving a measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request, and sending the measurement result to the positioning management function network element, wherein the measurement result is used by the positioning management function network element to determine the terminal's location information. This technical solution is used to locate a terminal when the terminal is in various RRC states.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a positioning method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] In the existing positioning process, the location management function (LMF) network element initiates a measurement request to the terminal through the long term evolution positioning protocol (LPP) message. The terminal measures multiple positioning reference signals according to the measurement request to obtain measurement results, and the terminal sends the measurement results to the LMF through the LPP message.

[0003] The LPP message is based on the establishment of a radio resource control (RRC) connection between the terminal and the base station. In other words, the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state and terminal positioning cannot be achieved. Currently, there is an urgent need to provide a method for locating the terminal when the terminal is in various RRC states. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a positioning method and a communication device for locating a terminal when the terminal is in various RRC states.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a positioning method, the method comprising:

[0006] A first base station receives a first request from a positioning management function network element, where the first request is used to request the first base station to instruct a terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the first base station sends a second request to the terminal based on the first request, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal; the first base station receives a measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request, and sends the measurement result to the positioning management function network element, where the measurement result is used by the positioning management function network element to determine the location information of the terminal.

[0007] Based on this solution, the positioning management function network element communicates with the first base station, and the first base station communicates with the terminal. When the terminal is in various RRC states, the positioning management function network element can request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal through the first base station.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the terminal is in an RRC connected state, and the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal; or, the terminal is in an RRC inactive state, and the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal or a paging message for paging the terminal.

[0009] Based on this solution, the first base station can send the second request to the terminal regardless of whether the terminal is in the RRC connected state. If the terminal is in the RRC inactive state, the existing technology cannot achieve terminal positioning. However, in this solution, the first base station can instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal through a broadcast message or a paging message.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information further indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC connected state.

[0013] Based on this solution, the first base station parses the first indication information from the first request, and determines, according to the first indication information, that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the RRC state of the positioning reference signal. Specifically, it can indicate that the terminal is in the RRC non-connected state to measure the positioning reference signal. This method is mainly applicable to the terminal positioning process with periodic reporting. The terminal can enter a sleep state when the measurement results are not reported, which helps to save terminal power.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first base station determines that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal, and sends a second request to the terminal, including: the first base station sends an RRC release message carrying the second request to the terminal according to the first indication information.

[0015] Based on this solution, the first base station can carry the second request in the RRC release message, so that the terminal receives the RRC release message, obtains the second request from the RRC release message, releases the RRC connection with the base station, and the terminal can measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state according to the second request.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first base station sending second indication information to the terminal according to the first indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0017] Based on this solution, the first base station may send second indication information to the terminal specifically indicating that the terminal is in the RRC non-connected state to measure the positioning reference signal. The terminal receives the second indication information and determines to measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first base station sending positioning assistance information to the terminal, the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal, and the positioning assistance information is carried in an RRC message or broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal.

[0019] Based on this solution, the first base station sends the positioning assistance information to the terminal separately, that is, the first base station sends the positioning assistance information and the second request to the terminal separately, which can reduce the signaling load of the first base station sending messages.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the second request includes positioning assistance information, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

[0021] Based on this solution, the positioning assistance information can be carried in the second request. When the terminal receives the second request, it can measure the positioning reference signal according to the second request, thereby reducing the number of times the terminal receives messages. At the same time, the terminal can obtain the positioning assistance information more promptly, thereby reducing the delay in measuring the positioning reference signal.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning assistance information includes at least one of a time-frequency resource, a transmission period, and a number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first request includes a quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of an arrival angle, a reference signal time difference, and a reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of a measurement period, a number of measurements, whether it is a periodic report, a reporting period, and a measurement identifier.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first base station receives the measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request, including: the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to the first base station, and the first base station receives the measurement result from the terminal; or, the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to a second base station, and the first base station receives the measurement result from the second base station.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the first base station receiving the measurement result from the terminal includes: the first base station receiving an initial access request from the terminal, and determining the measurement result from the initial access request.

[0026] Based on this solution, the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state (RRC inactive state or RRC idle state). If the terminal needs to report measurement results, it can request access to the resident base station. In addition, the terminal can carry the measurement results in the initial access request when requesting access. The terminal no longer needs to send the measurement results separately, which helps reduce the number of times the terminal sends messages.

[0027] In a possible implementation, before the first base station receives the measurement result from the second base station, the further step includes: the first base station receives a context request from the second base station; the context request is used to request the context of the terminal; the first base station sends the context of the terminal to the second base station, where the context of the terminal includes a measurement identifier, and the measurement identifier is used to instruct the second base station to send the measurement result associated with the measurement identifier to the first base station.

[0028] Based on this solution, if the terminal moves to the service cell of the second base station, the second base station needs to request the terminal context from the first base station. The first base station sends the terminal context carrying the measurement identifier to the second base station, so that the second base station determines that the received measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier. The second base station can send the measurement result to the first base station, and the first base station then sends the measurement result to the positioning management function network element.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, there is no LPP connection between the terminal and the positioning management function network element.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning management function network element is deployed on a neighboring base station of the first base station, and the first base station receives the first request from the neighboring base station of the first base station through an Xn interface.

[0031] In a second aspect, the present application provides a positioning method, the method comprising:

[0032] The terminal receives a second request from the first base station, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result; and the terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the terminal is in an RRC connected state, and the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message from the first base station; or, the terminal is in an RRC inactive state, and the second request is carried in a broadcast message from the first base station or a paging message for paging the terminal.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal receives the second request from the first base station, including: the terminal receives an RRC release message from the first base station, where the RRC release message carries the second request.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal receiving second indication information from the first base station, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0036] In a possible implementation manner, before the terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request, the method further includes: the terminal releasing the RRC connection with the first base station.

[0037] In one possible implementation, before the terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request, it also includes: the terminal receives positioning assistance information from the first base station, the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal, and the positioning assistance information is carried in an RRC message or broadcast message from the first base station.

[0038] In a possible implementation manner, the second request includes positioning assistance information, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning assistance information includes at least one of a time-frequency resource, a transmission period, and a number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the first request includes a quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of an arrival angle, a reference signal time difference, and a reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of a measurement period, a number of measurements, whether it is a periodic report, a reporting period, and a measurement identifier.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station, including: if the terminal is in an RRC connected state, the terminal is served by the first base station, and the terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station, or, the terminal is served by the second base station, and the terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station; if the terminal is in an RRC unconnected state, the terminal's resident cell corresponds to the first base station, and the terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station, or, the terminal's resident cell corresponds to the second base station, and the terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state, and the measurement result is carried in an initial access request sent by the terminal to the first base station or the second base station.

[0043] In a third aspect, the present application provides a positioning method, the method comprising:

[0044] The positioning management function network element sends a first request to the first base station, where the first request is used to request the first base station to instruct the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the first base station receives the first request and sends a second request to the terminal according to the first request, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal; the terminal receives the second request, measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result, and sends the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station; the first base station or the second base station receives the measurement result and sends the measurement result to the positioning management function network element; the positioning management function network element receives the measurement result and determines the location information of the terminal based on the measurement result.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the terminal is in an RRC connected state, and the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal; or, the terminal is in an RRC inactive state, and the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal or a paging message for paging the terminal.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information further indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC connected state.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the first base station sends a second request to the terminal according to the first request, including: the first base station sends an RRC release message carrying the second request to the terminal according to the first indication information.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first base station sending second indication information to the terminal according to the first indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first base station sending positioning assistance information to the terminal, the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal, and the positioning assistance information is carried in an RRC message or broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, the second request includes positioning assistance information, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

[0053] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning assistance information includes at least one of a time-frequency resource, a transmission period, and a number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the first request includes a quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of an arrival angle, a reference signal time difference, and a reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of a measurement period, a number of measurements, whether it is a periodic report, a reporting period, and a measurement identifier.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the first base station or the second base station receives the measurement result, including: if the terminal is in an RRC connected state, the terminal is served by the first base station, and the first base station receives the measurement result, or, the terminal is served by the second base station, and the second base station receives the measurement result; or, if the terminal is in an RRC unconnected state, the terminal's resident cell corresponds to the first base station, and the first base station receives the measurement result, or, the terminal's resident cell corresponds to the second base station, and the second base station receives the measurement result.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state, and the measurement result is carried in an initial access request sent by the terminal to the first base station or the second base station.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising:

[0058] A communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is used to receive a first request from a positioning management function network element, the first request being used to request the communication device to instruct the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send a second request to the terminal based on the first request, the second request being used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal; the communication unit is also used to receive a measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request, and send the measurement result to the positioning management function network element, where the measurement result is used by the positioning management function network element to determine the location information of the terminal.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the terminal is in an RRC connected state, and the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message sent by the communication unit to the terminal; or, the terminal is in an RRC inactive state, and the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the communication unit to the terminal or a paging message for paging the terminal.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0061] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information further indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC connected state.

[0063] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to control the communication unit to send an RRC release message carrying the second request to the terminal according to the first indication information.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to control the communication unit to send second indication information to the terminal according to the first indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further used to send positioning assistance information to the terminal, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal, and the positioning assistance information is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message sent by the communication unit to the terminal.

[0066] In a possible implementation manner, the second request includes positioning assistance information, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

[0067] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning assistance information includes at least one of a time-frequency resource, a transmission period, and a number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the first request includes a quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of an arrival angle, a reference signal time difference, and a reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of a measurement period, a number of measurements, whether it is a periodic report, a reporting period, and a measurement identifier.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to a first base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to receive the measurement result from the terminal; or, the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to a second base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to receive the measurement result from the second base station.

[0070] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive an initial access request from the terminal, and determine the measurement result from the initial access request.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further used to receive a context request from the second base station before receiving the measurement result from the second base station; the context request is used to request the context of the terminal; and the context of the terminal is sent to the second base station, where the context of the terminal includes a measurement identifier, and the measurement identifier is used to instruct the second base station to send the measurement result associated with the measurement identifier to the communication unit.

[0072] In a possible implementation manner, there is no LPP connection between the terminal and the positioning management function network element.

[0073] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning management function network element is deployed on a neighboring base station of the first base station, and the communication unit receives the first request from the neighboring base station of the first base station through an Xn interface.

[0074] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising:

[0075] A communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is used to receive a second request from a first base station, the second request is used to request the communication device to measure a positioning reference signal; the processing unit is used to measure the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result; the communication unit is also used to send the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the communication device is in an RRC connected state, and the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message from the first base station; or, the communication device is in an RRC inactive state, and the second request is carried in a broadcast message from the first base station or a paging message for paging the communication device.

[0077] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive an RRC release message from the first base station, where the RRC release message carries the second request.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive second indication information from the first base station, where the second indication information is configured to instruct the communication unit to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

[0079] In a possible implementation manner, before the processing unit measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request, the processing unit is further configured to release the RRC connection with the first base station.

[0080] In one possible implementation, before the processing unit measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request, the communication unit is further used to receive positioning assistance information from the first base station, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal, and the positioning assistance information is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message from the first base station.

[0081] In a possible implementation manner, the second request includes positioning assistance information, where the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

[0082] In a possible implementation manner, the positioning assistance information includes at least one of a time-frequency resource, a transmission period, and a number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the second request includes a quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of an arrival angle, a reference signal time difference, and a reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of a measurement period, a number of measurements, whether it is a periodic report, a reporting period, and a measurement identifier.

[0084] In one possible implementation, if the communication device is in an RRC connected state, the communication device is served by the first base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to send the measurement result to the first base station, or the communication device is served by the second base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to send the measurement result to the second base station; if the communication device is in an RRC non-connected state, the resident cell of the communication device corresponds to the first base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to send the measurement result to the first base station, or the resident cell of the communication device corresponds to the second base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to send the measurement result to the second base station.

[0085] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device is in an RRC non-connected state, and the measurement result is carried in an initial access request sent by the communication unit to the first base station or the second base station.

[0086] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising:

[0087] A positioning management function network element, a first base station, a second base station and a terminal, wherein the positioning management function network element is used to send a first request to the first base station, the first request being used to request the first base station to instruct the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal; the first base station is used to receive the first request, and send a second request to the terminal according to the first request, the second request being used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal; the terminal is used to receive the second request, measure the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result, and send the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station; the first base station or the second base station is used to receive the measurement result and send the measurement result to the positioning management function network element; the positioning management function network element is used to receive the measurement result and determine the location information of the terminal according to the measurement result.

[0088] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the methods in the first aspect or the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the methods in the second aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0089] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the methods in the first aspect or the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the methods in the second aspect is implemented.

[0090] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, it implements the first aspect or any one of the methods in the first aspect or the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the methods in the second aspect.

[0091] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the second to ninth aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the beneficial effects in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a positioning architecture provided in this application;

[0093] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the protocol stack involved in the interaction between LMF and the terminal provided in this application;

[0094] Figure 3 A flowchart of a positioning method provided in this application;

[0095] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an OTDOA-based downlink positioning method provided in this application;

[0096] Figure 5 A flowchart of another positioning method provided by this application;

[0097] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of exchanging configuration update messages between adjacent base stations provided in this application;

[0098] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application;

[0099] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0101] 1) The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application, which may also be referred to as a terminal, is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, and is used to send uplink signals to network devices or receive downlink signals from network devices. It includes devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users, for example, may include a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN) and exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device may include user equipment (UE), V2X terminal equipment, wireless terminal equipment, mobile terminal equipment, device-to-device communication (D2D) terminal equipment, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal equipment, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user equipment, wearable device, vehicle-mounted device, etc.

[0102] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, etc., which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0103] The various terminal devices introduced above, if located on a vehicle (eg, placed in or installed in a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also called on-board units (OBUs).

[0104] 2) The core network involved in the embodiments of the present application may include network equipment that processes and forwards user signaling and data. For example, it includes core network equipment such as the access and mobility management function (AMF), the session management function (SMF), and the user plane gateway. The user plane gateway may be a server with functions such as mobility management, routing, and forwarding of user plane data, generally located on the network side, such as a serving gateway (SGW) or a packet data network gateway (PGW) or a user plane function entity (UPF). AMF and SMF are equivalent to the mobility management entity (MME) in the LTE system. AMF is mainly responsible for access, and SMF is mainly responsible for session management. Of course, the core network may also include other network elements, which are not listed here one by one.

[0105] 3) The next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) involved in the embodiments of the present application may include one or more access network devices. The access network device in NG-RAN may also be referred to as a base station, or a RAN node, or a RAN device. The access network device is an entity on the network side for transmitting and / or receiving signals, acting as a router between the terminal and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an IP network, etc. The access network device can also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the access network device may be an evolutionary Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in LTE, where the eNB is a device deployed in a wireless access network that meets the 4G standard to provide wireless communication functions for the terminal. The access network device may also be a new radio controller (NR controller), a gNode B (gNB) in a 5G system, a centralized unit, a new wireless base station, a radio frequency remote module, a micro base station (also known as a small station), a relay, a distributed unit, various forms of macro base stations, a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission measurement function (TMF) or a transmission point (TP) or any other wireless access device, or a base station in the next generation of communications, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0106] 4) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application are used interchangeably. The term "plurality" refers to two or more. The term "and / or" describes the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0107] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a positioning architecture is provided as an example. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the network elements / modules involved mainly include NG-RAN, terminals and core network.

[0108] Among them, the core network includes LMF and AMF. The positioning server, namely LMF, is connected to AMF, and the LMF and AMF are connected through the NL1 interface. LMF is responsible for supporting different types of location services for the terminal, including positioning the terminal and delivering auxiliary data to the terminal. AMF can receive location service requests related to the terminal from the 5th generation core network location services (5GC LCS) entity, or the AMF itself can also start some location services on behalf of a specific terminal and forward the location service request to the LMF. The AMF obtains the location information returned by the terminal and returns the location information to the 5GC LCS entity.

[0109] NG-RAN may include gNB, next generation evolved nodeB (ng-eNB), etc. gNB and ng-eNB are connected via the Xn interface, and AMF is connected to ng-eNB / gNB via the NG-C interface.

[0110] The terminal can measure downlink signals from the NG-RAN to support positioning. The gNB / ng-eNB can provide positioning measurement information to the terminal and convey this positioning measurement information to the terminal.

[0111] The possible information interactions between LMF and terminal include the following: 1) Information interaction between LMF and ng-eNB / gNB is carried out through NR positioning protocol a (NRPPa) messages, such as obtaining positioning reference signals (PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration information, cell timing, cell location information, etc.; 2) Terminal capability information, auxiliary information, positioning measurement information, etc. are transmitted between LMF and terminal through LTE positioning protocol (LPP) messages.

[0112] It should be noted that this application is not limited to Figure 1 The system architecture shown can also be applied to other future communication systems, such as the 6th generation (6G) communication system architecture, etc. In addition, the network elements involved in this application may maintain the same functions in future communication systems, but the names may be changed.

[0113] Figure 2 The following is a diagram of the protocol stack involved in the interaction between LMF and the terminal. Figure 2As shown in the figure, the terminal and NG-RAN are connected through the NR-Uu interface or the LTE-Uu interface. The protocol stack used by the terminal to interact with NG-RAN includes, from top to bottom: LPP, non-access stratum (NAS), RRC, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), layer (layer, L) 1. The protocol stack used by the NG-RAN to interact with the terminal includes, from top to bottom: RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC, L1. The NG-RAN and AMF are connected through the NG-C interface. The protocol stack used by the NG-RAN to interact with the AMF includes, from top to bottom: NG interface application protocol (NGAP), stream control transmission protocol (stream control transmission protocol). The protocol stack used by the AMF to interact with the NG-RAN includes, from top to bottom, NAS, NGAP, SCTP, IP, L2, and L1. The AMF and LMF are connected through the NL1 interface. The protocol stack used by the AMF to interact with the LMF includes, from top to bottom, Hypertext Transfer Protocol 2.0 (HTTP2.0), Transport Layer Security (TLS), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), IP, L2, and L1. The protocol stack used by the LMF to interact with the AMF includes, from top to bottom, LPP, HTTP2.0, TLS, TCP, IP, L2, and L1.

[0114] The interactive information between the LMF and the terminal can be carried by LPP messages. LPP messages are sent through the Uu interface, NG-C interface and NL1 interface. On the terminal side, the LPP message will be encapsulated as NAS signaling. After receiving the NAS signaling from the terminal, the base station forwards it to the AMF. The AMF parses the NAS signaling to obtain the LPP message and hands it over to the LMF. Similarly, the LPP message sent from the LMF side is encapsulated as a NAS signaling and sent to the base station. After receiving the NAS signaling, the base station directly forwards it to the terminal. The exchanged information between the LMF and the base station is carried by NRPPa messages and sent over the NG-C interface.

[0115] NR defines a variety of downlink positioning technologies, such as downlink positioning technology based on angle of departure (AoD) and downlink positioning technology based on observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA). Figure 1 The positioning architecture shown, Figure 3 The following is an exemplary flowchart of a downlink positioning method based on OTDOA. The downlink positioning method based on OTDOA includes:

[0116] Step 301: AMF determines a location services request (LCS request).

[0117] The AMF can obtain the location service request of the 5GC LCS, or the AMF needs to obtain the location information of the terminal for some reasons (such as emergency call) and determine the location service request.

[0118] Step 302: AMF sends a location service request to LMF.

[0119] Step 303: LMF obtains the terminal's positioning capability from the terminal.

[0120] Step 304: The LMF determines that the positioning mode is the OTDOA mode.

[0121] Step 305: LMF sends an OTDOA information request to NG-RAN.

[0122] Step 306: NG-RAN sends an OTDOA information response to the LMF.

[0123] Step 307: The terminal obtains positioning assistance data from the LMF.

[0124] The positioning assistance data may include configuration information for a cell to send a positioning reference signal.

[0125] Step 308: The LMF sends a request for location information to the terminal.

[0126] The requested location information may include positioning measurement information, such as a quantity to be measured, measurement configuration parameters, etc.

[0127] Step 309: The terminal sends the provided location information to the LMF.

[0128] The terminal can measure the positioning reference signal sent by the base station based on the positioning measurement information and positioning assistance data, obtain the measurement result, and then provide the location information to the LMF.

[0129] Step 310: LMF sends a location services response (LCSresponse) to AMF.

[0130] LMF calculates the terminal's location information based on the terminal's measurement results and sends the terminal's location information to AMF in the location service response.

[0131] Step 311: AMF determines the location service response.

[0132] The AMF sends the terminal's location information to the 5GC LCS, or uses the terminal's location information for emergency calls, etc.

[0133] Combined with Figure 4 This article illustrates a method for determining a terminal's location using OTDOA technology. Taking the arrival time difference of positioning reference signals detected by a terminal from three cells as an example, a hyperbolic positioning area is determined for every two cells. (The distance difference d0-d1 between the terminal and cells 0 and 1 forms one hyperbola, and the distance difference d0-d2 between the terminal and cells 0 and 2 forms another hyperbola.) By determining an intersection point between the two hyperbolas and applying additional conditions (such as the cell's own geographic location information), the terminal's accurate location can be obtained.

[0134] In current terminal positioning technology, the LMF sends a measurement request to the terminal via an LPP message, instructing the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal. The prerequisite for the LMF to transmit the LPP message to the terminal is that there is an RRC connection between the terminal and the base station and an NRPPa connection between the base station and the LMF. In other words, if there is no RRC connection between the terminal and the base station, or if the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state, terminal positioning cannot be achieved.

[0135] Based on this, the present application provides a positioning method for locating a terminal when the terminal is in various RRC states.

[0136] For ease of explanation, this application will use LMF to represent the location management function network element. In this application, there are three RRC states of the terminal, namely RRC connected state, RRC inactive state and RRC idle state, among which RRC inactive state and RRC idle state can be collectively referred to as RRC non-connected state.

[0137] like Figure 5 The flowchart of the positioning method provided in this application, combined with Figure 5 The flowchart is described below.

[0138] Step 501: LMF sends a first request to a first base station.

[0139] Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request from the LMF.

[0140] In step 501, the terminal may be in an RRC connected state or an RRC inactive state. Specifically, if the terminal is in the RRC connected state, the first base station may be the terminal's serving gNB. If the terminal is in the RRC inactive state, the first base station may be the terminal's last serving gNB.

[0141] The first request is used to request the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal, or in other words, the first request is used to request to obtain a measurement result of the terminal measuring the positioning reference signal. It should be understood that the first request instructs the first base station to instruct (or configure) the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal, and the terminal measures the positioning reference signal based on the instruction (or configuration) of the first base station to obtain the measurement result.

[0142] The first request includes the quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters.

[0143] The quantity to be measured is used to indicate a measurement parameter when the terminal measures a positioning reference signal, and the quantity to be measured includes at least one or more of angle of arrival (AoA), reference signal time difference (RSTD), or receive-transmit time difference (Rx-Tx time difference). Exemplarily, the quantity to be measured includes angle of arrival, indicating that the terminal measures the angle of arrival of the positioning reference signal. The quantity to be measured can be referred to as a parameter to be measured.

[0144] The measurement configuration parameters are used to indicate the measurement configuration of the terminal for measuring the positioning reference signal. The measurement configuration parameters include at least one or more of the measurement period, the number of measurements, whether it is periodic reporting, the reporting period, and the measurement identifier. Exemplarily, the measurement configuration parameters include the measurement period and the number of measurements, indicating that the terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the measurement period and the number of measurements.

[0145] In the present application, the terminal indicated by the first request is the target terminal, that is, the LMF indicates the terminal that needs to perform downlink positioning measurement through the first request. The first request may explicitly indicate or implicitly indicate the terminal, and the first base station determines the terminal indicated by the LMF based on the first request. Exemplarily, the first request explicitly indicates the terminal, for example, the first request carries the identifier of the terminal (such as a globally unique temporary identity (GUTI); the first request implicitly indicates the terminal, for example, the first request is carried in the NGAP message associated with the terminal, and the NGAP message is such as the downlink UE associated NRPPa transport message.

[0146] The first request may further indicate an RRC state when the terminal measures the positioning reference signal. The RRC state when the terminal measures the positioning reference signal may include an RRC connected state and an RRC non-connected state.

[0147] In a first possible implementation, the first request may only instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state. Specifically, if the first request carries the first indication information, it means that the first request instructs the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state. If the first request does not carry the first indication information, it means that the first request does not instruct the terminal on the RRC state when measuring the positioning reference signal. In other words, the terminal can measure the positioning reference signal in any RRC state.

[0148] In a second possible implementation, the first request may instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state or in an RRC connected state. Specifically, in the first example, if the first request carries the first indication information, it means that the first request instructs the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state. If the first request does not carry the first indication information, it means that the first request instructs the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC connected state.

[0149] In the second example, the first indication information may occupy one bit in the first request. If the value of this bit is 1, it means that the first request instructs the terminal to be in the RRC non-connected state when measuring the positioning reference signal. If the value of this bit is 0, it means that the first request instructs the terminal to be in the RRC connected state when measuring the positioning reference signal.

[0150] In the first example of the first possible implementation or the second possible implementation, the first indication information may be indication information of an enumerated type, and the first indication information may take the value of "idle" or "inactive". Specifically, if the first indication information takes the value of "idle", it indicates that the first request indicates that the terminal is in the RRC idle state to measure the positioning reference signal; if the first indication information takes the value of "inactive", it indicates that the first request indicates that the terminal is in the RRC inactive state to measure the positioning reference signal.

[0151] The present application also provides a third possible implementation method, in which the first request may indicate that the terminal is in an RRC inactive state, an RRC idle state, or an RRC connected state to measure a positioning reference signal. Specifically, the first request carries first indication information, and the first indication information takes the value of "idle" or "inactive" or "connected". If the first indication information takes the value of "idle", it indicates that the first request indicates that the terminal is in the RRC idle state to measure a positioning reference signal; if the first indication information takes the value of "inactive", it indicates that the first request indicates that the terminal is in the RRC inactive state to measure a positioning reference signal; if the first indication information takes the value of "connected", it indicates that the first request indicates that the terminal is in the RRC connected state to measure a positioning reference signal.

[0152] In the present application, the first request may further include positioning assistance information, wherein the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the first cell and configuration information of the first cell transmitting a positioning reference signal.

[0153] The first cell can be understood as a cell that sends a positioning reference signal to the terminal. The first cell can be controlled by the first base station or another base station. The first cell can be one or more cells determined by the LMF. For example, the LMF determines one or more cells as the first cell based on the previous location of the terminal. Of course, other methods can also be used, and this application does not limit them.

[0154] The configuration information of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell may specifically include at least one of a resource identifier (PRS resource ID), time-frequency resource configuration, transmission period, and number of symbols of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell.

[0155] In an optional design, the positioning assistance information includes identifiers of multiple first cells and configuration information for each of the multiple first cells to transmit a positioning reference signal. For example, if cell 0, cell 1, and cell 2 are all first cells, the positioning assistance information may include the identifier of cell 0 and the configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for cell 0, the identifier of cell 1 and the configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for cell 1, and the identifier of cell 2 and the configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for cell 2. Based on the positioning assistance information, the terminal determines on which time-frequency resource to receive the positioning reference signal from which first cell and reports the corresponding measurement result.

[0156] The identifier of the first cell may be at least one of a cell identifier, a transmission reception point (TRP) identifier, and a positioning reference signal identifier. Exemplarily, the positioning assistance information includes positioning reference signal identifiers of multiple first cells and configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for each of the multiple first cells.

[0157] In another optional design, the positioning assistance information includes configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for each of the multiple first cells. For example, if cell 0, cell 1, and cell 2 are all first cells, the positioning assistance information may include configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for cell 0, configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for cell 1, and configuration information for transmitting a positioning reference signal for cell 2. Based on the positioning assistance information, the terminal measures a positioning reference signal on a specific time-frequency resource and, based on the resource identifier of the positioning reference signal, determines which first cell issued the positioning reference signal and then reports the corresponding measurement result.

[0158] In addition, the first request may not include positioning assistance information, and the LMF sends the positioning assistance information and the first request to the first base station respectively. The order in which the LMF sends the first request and the positioning assistance information to the first base station is not restricted.

[0159] Step 502: The first base station sends a second request to the terminal according to the first request.

[0160] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second request from the first base station.

[0161] The second request is used to request (or instruct or configure) the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal. Specifically, the second request includes a quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters. The quantity to be measured indicates the measurement parameters used by the terminal when measuring the positioning reference signal, and the measurement configuration parameters indicate the measurement configuration used by the terminal when measuring the positioning reference signal. For details on the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters, refer to the relevant description in step 501.

[0162] Furthermore, in some scenarios, the second request may also include positioning assistance information and / or second indication information, wherein the positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell. The specific description of the positioning assistance information may refer to the relevant description in step 501. The second indication information is used to indicate the RRC state when the terminal measures the positioning reference signal. The second indication information may be the same as or different from the first indication information. The second indication information indicates the RRC state when the terminal measures the positioning reference signal. The relevant description of the RRC state when the terminal measures the positioning reference signal indicated by the first indication information in the above step 501 may be referred to.

[0163] In step 502, since the terminal may be in an RRC connected state or an RRC inactive state, the first base station or other base stations in a RAN paging area may send a second request to the terminal, specifically in the following situations:

[0164] Case 1: The terminal is in an RRC connected state. In this case, the first base station is a serving base station of the terminal.

[0165] In Example 1, the second request includes the quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters. The first base station carries the second request in an RRC message sent to the terminal. The terminal receives the RRC message from the first base station, determines the second request from the RRC message, and measures the positioning reference signal based on the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters in the second request. Exemplarily, the RRC message may be an RRC reconfiguration message, an RRC release message, or the like.

[0166] In Example 2, the second request includes the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters. The first base station may also carry the second request in a broadcast message. Optionally, the broadcast message may further carry a terminal identifier. When a terminal receives the broadcast message from the first base station, if the terminal identifier in the broadcast message matches the terminal identifier, the terminal determines the second request from the broadcast message and measures the positioning reference signal based on the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters in the second request.

[0167] In the above example 1 or example 2, further, the second request may also include second indication information. Accordingly, the terminal may measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state according to the second indication information, the quantity to be measured, and the measurement configuration parameters in the second request.

[0168] Case 2: The terminal is in an RRC inactive state. In this case, the first base station is the last serving base station of the terminal.

[0169] In Example 3, the second request includes the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters. The first base station sends the second request to other base stations in the RAN paging area. All base stations in the RAN paging area carry the second request in their respective paging messages for paging the terminal. The terminal receives the paging message from its resident base station, determines the second request from the paging message, and measures the positioning reference signal based on the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters in the second request.

[0170] In Example 4, the second request includes the quantity to be measured and measurement configuration parameters. The first base station sends the second request to other base stations in the RAN paging area, and all base stations in the RAN paging area carry the second request in their respective broadcast messages. Optionally, the broadcast message may further carry a terminal identifier. The terminal receives the broadcast message from its resident base station. If the terminal identifier in the broadcast message matches the terminal identifier, the terminal determines the second request from the broadcast message and measures the positioning reference signal based on the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters in the second request.

[0171] Furthermore, in the above example 3 or example 4, the second request may also include second indication information. Accordingly, the terminal may measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state based on the second indication information, the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters in the second request.

[0172] Example 5: The first base station sends a second request to other base stations in the RAN paging area. All base stations in the RAN paging area send their own paging messages for paging the terminal to the terminal. The terminal receives the paging message from its resident base station and requests access, so that the terminal is in an RRC connected state. The implementation method of the base station sending the second request to the terminal and the terminal determining the measurement positioning reference signal can be specifically referred to Example 1 and Example 2 in the above situation 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] It should be noted that if the second request also includes positioning assistance information, the manner in which the first base station sends the second request to the terminal can still refer to the above examples 1 to 5 and will not be repeated here.

[0174] If the second request does not include positioning assistance information, the positioning assistance information may be sent to the terminal separately by the first base station or other base stations in the RAN paging area. Specifically, based on the RRC state of the terminal, there are two cases:

[0175] Case 1: The terminal is in the RRC connected state.

[0176] In Example 6, the first base station may carry the positioning assistance information in a broadcast message. Accordingly, the terminal receives the broadcast message from the first base station and determines the positioning assistance information from the broadcast message.

[0177] In Example 7, the first base station may include the positioning assistance information in an RRC message sent to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal receives the RRC message from the first base station and determines the positioning assistance information from the RRC message. Exemplarily, the RRC message may be an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0178] Case 2: The terminal is in RRC inactive state.

[0179] Example 8: The first base station sends positioning assistance information to other base stations in the RAN paging area. All base stations in the RAN paging area carry the positioning assistance information in their respective broadcast messages. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the broadcast message from its resident base station and determines the positioning assistance information from the broadcast message.

[0180] It should be noted that the order in which the terminal receives the second request and receives the positioning assistance information is not restricted.

[0181] In this optional manner, the positioning assistance information may be obtained by the first base station from the LMF, or the positioning assistance information may be obtained by the first base station from the base station corresponding to the first cell.

[0182] If the first base station obtains the positioning assistance information from the LMF, the positioning assistance information may be carried in the first request sent by the LMF to the first base station, or may be a separate message sent by the LMF to the first base station. Specific implementation may refer to the description in step 501 above.

[0183] If the positioning assistance information is obtained by the first base station from the base station corresponding to the first cell, the base station corresponding to the first cell may be another base station, and the first base station may obtain the configuration information of the positioning reference signal of the first cell from the base station corresponding to the first cell through the Xn interface. Specifically, there are two examples:

[0184] In the first example, the first base station sends an information request to the base station corresponding to the first cell. The information request is used to request the base station corresponding to the first cell for the configuration information of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell. Accordingly, the base station corresponding to the first cell receives the information request from the first base station and sends the configuration information of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell to the first base station.

[0185] In the second example, in the Xn setup process or the NG-RAN node configuration update process, the base station corresponding to the first cell sends a configuration update message to the first base station, wherein the configuration update message carries the configuration information of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell. Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a process of exchanging configuration update messages between adjacent base stations.

[0186] In step 601, a base station corresponding to a first cell sends a configuration update message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the configuration update message from the base station corresponding to the first cell. The configuration update message carries configuration information of a positioning reference signal transmitted by the first cell.

[0187] In step 602, the first base station sends a configuration update acknowledgement message to the base station corresponding to the first cell; correspondingly, the base station corresponding to the first cell receives the configuration update acknowledgement message from the first base station.

[0188] In addition, the positioning assistance information can also be obtained by other base stations from the LMF and sent to the terminal. The specific sending method can refer to the description of the first base station sending the positioning assistance information to the terminal.

[0189] In this application, the first base station or other base stations in the base station corresponding to the first cell can carry the positioning assistance information in a positioning system message block (PosSIB), and broadcast the positioning system message block as a broadcast message to the terminal. The terminal receives the positioning system message block and determines the positioning assistance information from the positioning system message block.

[0190] In some scenarios, the second request may not include the second indication information. If the base station determines that the first request is used to indicate that the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state to measure the positioning reference signal, the base station may send the second indication information to the terminal as a separate message. Accordingly, the terminal receives the second indication information and determines to measure the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state based on the second indication information.

[0191] The present application provides another implementation method, where the base station determines that the first request is used to indicate that the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state to measure the positioning reference signal. The base station can carry the second request in an RRC release message. Accordingly, the terminal receives the RRC release message, releases the RRC connection with the first base station according to the RRC release message, and measures the positioning reference signal in the RRC non-connected state according to the second request in the RRC release message.

[0192] It should be noted that the first base station indicates that the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state and measures the positioning reference signal. Specifically, the first base station indicates that the terminal is in an RRC inactive state or in an RRC idle state and measures the positioning reference signal. The first base station indicates that the terminal is in an RRC inactive state or in an RRC idle state and measures the positioning reference signal. Both can refer to the description of the first base station carrying the second indication information in the second request sent to the terminal, or the base station sending the second indication information to the terminal as a separate message, or the first base station sending an RRC release message to the terminal.

[0193] It should also be noted that when the terminal receives the second indication information or the RRC release message, the terminal releases the RRC connection with the first base station. If the first base station still needs to send other information to the terminal, the information to be sent can be carried in a broadcast message. Exemplarily, the first base station first sends an RRC release message carrying the second request to the terminal, and then sends a broadcast message carrying the positioning assistance information to the terminal.

[0194] In an embodiment of the present application, the first base station indicates that the terminal is in an RRC non-connected state to measure a positioning reference signal, which can be applied to a periodically reported terminal positioning process. The process is interpreted as the terminal measuring the positioning reference signal to obtain a measurement result, and reporting the measurement result to the base station corresponding to the terminal's resident cell according to the reporting period. It should be understood that the terminal can move from the coverage area of ​​the serving cell before it enters the RRC non-connected state to the coverage area of ​​other cells in the RRC non-connected state. If the terminal in the RRC non-connected state is located in the coverage area of ​​cell A during time period A, cell A is referred to as the resident cell of the terminal during time period A; if the terminal in the RRC non-connected state is located in the coverage area of ​​cell B during time period B, cell B is referred to as the resident cell of the terminal during time period B.

[0195] Optionally, the first base station configures a reporting period for the terminal. If the terminal determines that it does not need to report the measurement result based on the reporting period, it maintains an RRC non-connected state. If it determines that it needs to report the measurement result, it accesses the terminal's resident cell and reports the measurement result to the base station corresponding to the terminal's resident cell. In this manner, if the terminal does not need to report the measurement result, it can maintain an RRC non-connected state, which helps reduce power consumption of the terminal.

[0196] In addition, the first base station can also configure the measurement period of the terminal. The terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the measurement period to obtain the measurement result. If the terminal determines that there is no need to report the measurement result according to the reporting period, the terminal maintains the RRC non-connected state. If it is determined that the measurement result needs to be reported, the terminal accesses the base station corresponding to the terminal's resident cell and reports the measurement result to the base station corresponding to the terminal's resident cell.

[0197] Here, the base station corresponding to the camping cell of the terminal may be the first base station or another base station (hereinafter referred to as the second base station). Detailed descriptions may be made in steps 504 and 505.

[0198] Step 503: The terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result.

[0199] The second request includes the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters, and may further include positioning assistance information and / or second indication information. The following details the second request including the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters, or the second request including the quantity to be measured, the measurement configuration parameters and positioning assistance information:

[0200] In one implementation, the second request includes positioning assistance information, the quantity to be measured, and measurement configuration parameters. The terminal only needs to receive the second request from the first base station, and then determine the time-frequency resource information of the positioning reference signal of the first cell according to the positioning assistance information in the second request, and measure the corresponding positioning reference signal on each time-frequency resource according to the measurement configuration parameters in the second request to obtain the measurement result corresponding to the quantity to be measured in the second request.

[0201] In another implementation method, the second request includes the quantity to be measured and the measurement configuration parameters. The terminal needs to receive the second request from the first base station, and receive positioning assistance information sent from the first base station or other base stations among the base stations corresponding to the first cell. Then, the terminal determines the time-frequency resource information of the positioning reference signal of the first cell based on the positioning assistance information, and measures the corresponding positioning reference signal on each time-frequency resource according to the measurement configuration parameters in the second request to obtain the measurement result corresponding to the quantity to be measured in the second request.

[0202] Still combined with Figure 4 For example, assuming that the quantity to be measured is the reference signal time difference, the measurement period is 1s, and the number of measurements is 10, the terminal measures the reference signal time difference between the positioning reference signal 0 of cell 0 and the positioning reference signal 1 of cell 1 a total of 10 times with a measurement period of 1s, and obtains 10 reference signal time differences between cell 0 and cell 1. Similarly, the terminal measures 10 reference signal time differences between cell 0 and cell 2, and thus uses the obtained 20 reference signal time differences as the measurement results.

[0203] To facilitate the description of step 504 and step 505, the following explanation is first given of the implementation of sending the measurement results when the terminal is in different RRC states.

[0204] In this application, the measurement results sent by the terminal may be referred to as measurement reports. The measurement results may include: the measurement value obtained by the terminal measuring the measured quantity (such as arrival angle, reference signal time difference, receive and transmit time difference), positioning reference signal identifier, measurement quality, measurement identifier, etc.

[0205] Case 1: The terminal is in the RRC connected state.

[0206] In Example a, the terminal is still served by the first base station and sends a measurement result to the first base station. The first base station determines, based on the measurement identifier in the terminal's context, that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the terminal's context, and further sends the measurement result to the LMF based on the address information of the LMF in the terminal's context.

[0207] In example b, the terminal switches to the cell of the second base station, and the terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station. The second base station determines that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal based on the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal, and further sends the measurement result to the LMF based on the address information of the LMF in the context of the terminal.

[0208] Case 2: The terminal is in RRC inactive state.

[0209] In Example c, the base station corresponding to the cell where the terminal resides is the first base station. The terminal accesses the first base station and sends the measurement result to the first base station. The first base station determines, based on the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal, that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal, and further sends the measurement result to the LMF based on the address information of the LMF in the context of the terminal.

[0210] In Example d, the base station corresponding to the cell where the terminal resides is the second base station. The terminal requests access to the second base station. The second base station sends a context request to the first base station. The context request is used to request the terminal's context from the first base station. The first base station then sends the terminal's context to the second base station. The terminal accesses the second base station and sends a measurement result to the second base station. The second base station determines, based on the measurement identifier in the terminal's context, that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the terminal's context. Furthermore, based on the LMF address information in the terminal's context, the second base station sends the measurement result to the LMF.

[0211] In addition, in another possibility of Example d, the terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station, and the second base station may also send the measurement result to the LMF via the first base station. In this possibility, the terminal context also includes other indication information in addition to the measurement identifier, such as a measurement result request, a quantity to be measured, etc. This other indication information is used to instruct the second base station to send the measurement result reported by the terminal to the first base station. For example, the terminal context includes a measurement result request. The second base station receives the measurement result reported by the terminal and, based on the measurement result request, determines whether to send the measurement result to the first base station.

[0212] Case 3: The terminal is in RRC idle state.

[0213] In example e, the base station corresponding to the cell where the terminal resides is the first base station. The terminal requests access to the first base station. The first base station needs to send an initial NAS message to the AMF corresponding to the first base station. The AMF corresponding to the first base station sends the context of the terminal to the first base station. The terminal accesses the first base station and sends the measurement result to the first base station. The first base station determines that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal based on the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal, and further sends the measurement result to the LMF based on the address information of the LMF in the context of the terminal.

[0214] In example f, the base station corresponding to the cell where the terminal resides is the second base station. The terminal requests access to the second base station. The second base station needs to send an initial NAS message to the AMF corresponding to the second base station. If the AMF corresponding to the second base station is the same as the AMF corresponding to the first base station, that is, the AMF corresponding to the second base station includes the context of the terminal, then the AMF corresponding to the second base station sends the context of the terminal to the second base station. The terminal accesses the second base station and sends the measurement result to the second base station. The second base station determines that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal based on the measurement identifier in the context of the terminal, and further sends the measurement result to the LMF based on the address information of the LMF in the context of the terminal.

[0215] In example g, the base station corresponding to the cell where the terminal resides is the second base station. The terminal requests access to the second base station. The second base station needs to send an initial NAS message to the AMF corresponding to the second base station. If the AMF corresponding to the second base station is different from the AMF corresponding to the first base station, that is, the AMF corresponding to the second base station does not include the terminal context, the AMF corresponding to the second base station requests the terminal context from the AMF corresponding to the first base station, and then the AMF corresponding to the second base station sends the terminal context to the second base station. The terminal accesses the second base station and sends the measurement result to the second base station. The second base station determines that the measurement result is associated with the measurement identifier in the terminal context based on the measurement identifier in the terminal context, and further sends the measurement result to the LMF based on the address information of the LMF in the terminal context.

[0216] In the above examples c to g, the terminal accesses the base station corresponding to the resident cell, and the terminal can send the measurement results to the base station corresponding to the resident cell through an RRC message. In addition, the terminal can also carry the measurement results in the initial access request. If the terminal is in the RRC idle state, the terminal can carry the measurement results in the RRC setup request message or the RRC setup complete message. If the terminal is in the RRC inactive state, the terminal can carry the measurement results in the RRC resume request message or the RRC resume complete message.

[0217] As mentioned above, there is a first case, which is applicable to the above examples a, c, and e. In the first case, there are the following steps 504a and 505a.

[0218] Step 504a: The terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station.

[0219] Correspondingly, the first base station receives the measurement result from the terminal.

[0220] Step 505a: The first base station sends the measurement result to the LMF.

[0221] Correspondingly, the LMF receives the measurement result from the first base station.

[0222] As mentioned above, there is also a second case, which is applicable to the above examples b, d, f, and g. In the second case, there are the following steps 504b and 505b.

[0223] Step 504b: The terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station.

[0224] Correspondingly, the second base station receives the measurement result from the terminal.

[0225] Step 505b: The second base station sends the measurement result to the LMF.

[0226] Correspondingly, the LMF receives the measurement result from the second base station.

[0227] Step 506: The LMF determines the location information of the terminal according to the measurement result.

[0228] Combined with Figure 4 For example, the measurement result of the terminal includes the arrival time difference τ of the positioning reference signal of cell 0 and the positioning reference signal of cell 1 measured by the terminal 0,1 , the arrival time difference τ of the positioning reference signal of cell 0 and the positioning reference signal of cell 2 0,2LMF is based on the arrival time difference τ 0,1 , determine the first hyperbola formed by the distance difference d0-d1 between the terminal and cell 0 and cell 1, and the first hyperbola based on the arrival time difference τ 0,2 , determine the second hyperbola formed by the distance difference d0-d2 between the terminal and cell 0 and cell 2, and LMF determines the location coordinates of the terminal based on the first hyperbola, the second hyperbola, the location coordinates of cell 0, the location coordinates of cell 1, and the location coordinates of cell 2.

[0229] It should be noted that the LMF and the first base station are connected via the NRPPa protocol, that is, in step 501, the first request can be carried in an existing NRPPa message sent by the LMF to the first base station, such as a measurement request, or a newly defined NRPPa message, such as a downlink location measurement request. In step 505a / b, the measurement result can be carried in an existing NRPPa message sent by the first base station / second base station to the LMF, such as a measurement response, or a newly defined NRPPa message, such as a downlink location measurement result or a downlink location measurement response.

[0230] In addition, the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to the scenario where LMF and the base station are co-deployed. The base station co-deployed with the LMF is not the serving base station of the terminal. In this co-deployment scenario, the LMF and the first base station / second base station can be connected through the Xn interface. When the LMF requests the terminal to locate, the LMF can send a first request to the first base station through the Xn interface. The first base station determines that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal and sends a second request to the terminal. Accordingly, the first base station / second base station can send the measurement result of the terminal to the LMF through the Xn interface.

[0231] The implementation method in the co-deployment scenario can specifically refer to the above steps 501 to 506. The only difference is that in the above steps 501 to 506, the LMF communicates with the first base station / the second base station through the NG-C interface, and the NRPPa message is sent, while in this co-deployment scenario, the LMF communicates with the first base station / the second base station through the Xn interface, and the XnAP message is sent.

[0232] For example, in a co-deployment scenario, in step 501, the first request may be carried in an existing XnAP message, such as a configuration update (NG-RAN node configuration update), or a newly defined XnAP message, such as a measurement request. In steps 505a / b, the measurement result may be carried in an existing XnAP message, such as a configuration update acknowledgment (NG-RAN node configuration update acknowledge), or a newly defined XnAP message, such as a measurement response.

[0233] Based on this solution, the positioning management function network element sends a first request to the first base station, requesting the first base station to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal. The first base station determines a second request based on the first request and sends the second request to the terminal, requesting the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal. Through communication between the positioning management function network element and the first base station, and between the first base station and the terminal, the positioning management function network element can request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal through the first base station when the terminal is in various RRC states. Moreover, when the positioning management function network element and the base station are deployed together, the positioning management function network element can also request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal through the first base station.

[0234] The various embodiments described herein may be independent solutions or may be combined according to internal logic, and all of these solutions fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0235] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the terminal can also be implemented by components that can be used for the terminal (such as chips or circuits), and the methods and operations implemented by the base station can also be implemented by components that can be used for the base station (such as chips or circuits).

[0236] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspective of interaction between various devices. In order to implement the various functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device and the network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether a function of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0237] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The aforementioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules.

[0238] Based on the above content and the same concept, Figure 7 As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 700 for implementing the functions of the terminal or base station in the above method. For example, the communication device can be a software module or a chip system. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0239] The communication device 700 may include: a processing unit 701 and a communication unit 702 .

[0240] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, and may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, which are respectively used to execute the sending and receiving steps of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0241] The following, combined Figures 7 and 8 The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment, so that the contents not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiment above, and for the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0242] In one possible design, the communication device 700 can implement the steps or processes executed by the first base station or terminal in the above method embodiment, which are described below respectively.

[0243] For example, when the communication device 700 implements Figure 5 The functions of the first base station in the process shown are:

[0244] The communication unit 702 is used to execute the above Figure 5 In the method embodiment shown, the first base station performs the sending operation and the receiving operation, and the processing unit 701 is used to perform the above Figure 5 In the embodiment of the method shown, the first base station performs other operations besides the sending and receiving operations. For example, the communication unit 702 is used to perform Figure 5 The first base station in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is a step of transmitting and receiving, for example, step 501. The processing unit 701 is configured to execute Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the first base station performs other operations besides the sending and receiving operations, for example, determining the second request according to the first request in step 502 .

[0245] For example, when the communication device 700 implements Figure 5 The functions of the terminals in the process shown are:

[0246] The communication unit 702 is used to execute the above Figure 5 The sending operation and receiving operation of the terminal in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are performed by the processing unit 701. Figure 5 In the embodiment of the method shown, the terminal performs other operations besides the sending and receiving operations. For example, the communication unit 702 is used to perform Figure 5 The terminal's sending and receiving steps in the embodiment shown are, for example, step 502. The processing unit 701 is configured to execute Figure 5 The terminal in the illustrated embodiment performs other operations besides the sending and receiving operations, such as step 503 .

[0247] like Figure 8 The device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 8 The device shown can be Figure 7 A hardware circuit implementation of the device shown. The communication device can be applied to Figure 5 In the flowchart shown, the functions of the first base station or terminal in the above method embodiment are performed. For ease of explanation, Figure 8 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0248] Figure 8 The device 800 shown includes at least one processor 820, which is used to implement the embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 The function of the first base station or terminal.

[0249] The device 800 may also include at least one memory 830 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 830 is coupled to the processor 820. Coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between the devices, units, or modules. The processor 820 may operate in conjunction with the memory 830. The processor 820 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 830. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0250] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0251] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above-mentioned method embodiment can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or by software instructions. The above-mentioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented and executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above-mentioned method.

[0252] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0253] The apparatus 800 may also include a communication interface 810 for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the apparatus in the apparatus 800 to communicate with the other devices. In embodiments of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface. In embodiments of the present application, when the communication interface is a transceiver, the transceiver may include an independent receiver or an independent transmitter; it may also be a transceiver that integrates transceiver functions, or an interface circuit.

[0254] The device 800 may further include a communication line 840. The communication interface 810, the processor 820, and the memory 830 may be interconnected via the communication line 840; the communication line 840 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The communication line 840 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, Figure 8 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0255] Based on the above content and the same concept, the present application provides a communication device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the above-mentioned method of any one of the embodiments related to the first base station or any one of the embodiments related to the terminal through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0256] Based on the above content and the same concept, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, it implements the method of any one of the above embodiments related to the first base station or any one of the embodiments related to the terminal.

[0257] Based on the above content and the same concept, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, it implements the method of any one of the above embodiments related to the first base station or any one of the embodiments related to the terminal.

[0258] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0259] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0260] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0261] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A positioning method, characterized in that: include: A first base station receives a first request from a positioning management function network element, where the first request is used to request the first base station to instruct a terminal to measure a positioning reference signal, and the first request includes a quantity to be measured; The first base station sends a second request to the terminal according to the first request, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal, and the second request includes the quantity to be measured and the positioning assistance information; The first base station receives a measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request, and sends the measurement result to the positioning management function network element, where the measurement result is used by the positioning management function network element to determine location information of the terminal; Wherein, when the terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal or a paging message for paging the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein When the terminal is in an RRC connected state, the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The method further comprises: The first base station sends second indication information to the terminal according to the first indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The positioning assistance information includes at least one of the time-frequency resources, transmission period, and number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first request also includes measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of arrival angle, reference signal time difference, and reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of measurement period, number of measurements, whether it is periodic reporting, reporting period, and measurement identifier.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The step of receiving, by the first base station, a measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request includes: The camping cell of the terminal corresponds to the first base station, and the first base station receives the measurement result from the terminal; or the camping cell of the terminal corresponds to a second base station, and the first base station receives the measurement result from the second base station.

9. A positioning method, characterized in that: include: The terminal receives a second request from the first base station, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal, the second request includes a quantity to be measured and positioning assistance information, and the second request is generated by the first base station after receiving the first request from the positioning management function network element, where the first request includes the quantity to be measured; The terminal measures the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result; The terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station; Wherein, when the terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the terminal or a paging message for paging the terminal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein When the terminal is in an RRC connected state, the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message from the first base station.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein The terminal receiving a second request from the first base station includes: The terminal receives an RRC release message from the first base station, where the RRC release message carries the second request.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein The method further comprises: The terminal receives second indication information from the first base station, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein The positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The positioning assistance information includes at least one of the time-frequency resources, transmission period, and number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein The second request also includes measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of arrival angle, reference signal time difference, and reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of measurement period, number of measurements, whether it is periodic reporting, reporting period, and measurement identifier.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein The terminal sending the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station includes: If the terminal is in an RRC connected state and is served by the first base station, the terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station; or, if the terminal is served by the second base station, the terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station; If the terminal is in an RRC unconnected state, the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to the first base station, and the terminal sends the measurement result to the first base station; or, if the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to the second base station, the terminal sends the measurement result to the second base station.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a communication unit and a processing unit; The communication unit is configured to receive a first request from a positioning management function network element, where the first request is used to request the communication device to instruct the terminal to measure a positioning reference signal, and the first request includes a quantity to be measured; The processing unit is configured to control the communication unit to send a second request to the terminal according to the first request, where the second request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal, and the second request includes the quantity to be measured and the positioning assistance information; The communication unit is further configured to receive a measurement result from the terminal in response to the second request, and send the measurement result to the positioning management function network element, where the measurement result is used by the positioning management function network element to determine the location information of the terminal; Wherein, when the terminal is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the communication device to the terminal or a paging message for paging the terminal.

18. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein: When the terminal is in an RRC connected state, the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message sent by the communication device to the terminal.

19. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein: The first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the first request is used to request the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein The processing unit is further configured to control the communication unit to send second indication information to the terminal according to the first indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

21. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein The positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

22. The communication device according to claim 21, wherein The positioning assistance information includes at least one of the time-frequency resources, transmission period, and number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

23. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein: The first request also includes measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of arrival angle, reference signal time difference, and reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of measurement period, number of measurements, whether it is periodic reporting, reporting period, and measurement identifier.

24. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein: The resident cell of the terminal corresponds to a communication device, and the communication unit is specifically configured to receive the measurement result from the terminal; or the resident cell of the terminal corresponds to a second base station, and the communication unit is specifically configured to receive the measurement result from the second base station.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a communication unit and a processing unit; The communication unit is configured to receive a second request from a first base station, the second request being used to request the communication device to measure a positioning reference signal, the second request including a quantity to be measured and positioning assistance information, the second request being generated by the device after receiving a first request from a positioning management function network element, the first request including the quantity to be measured; The processing unit is configured to measure the positioning reference signal according to the second request to obtain a measurement result; The communication unit is further configured to send the measurement result to the first base station or the second base station; Wherein, when the communication device is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state, the second request is carried in a broadcast message sent by the first base station to the communication device or a paging message for paging the communication device.

26. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein When the communication device is in an RRC connected state, the second request is carried in an RRC message or a broadcast message from the first base station.

27. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein: The communication unit is specifically configured to receive an RRC release message from the first base station, where the RRC release message carries the second request.

28. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein: The communication unit is further configured to receive second indication information from the first base station, where the second indication information is configured to instruct the communication unit to measure the positioning reference signal in an RRC non-connected state.

29. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein The positioning assistance information is used to indicate the positioning reference signal.

30. The communication device according to claim 29, wherein The positioning assistance information includes at least one of the time-frequency resources, transmission period, and number of symbols of the positioning reference signal.

31. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein The second request also includes measurement configuration parameters, the quantity to be measured includes at least one of arrival angle, reference signal time difference, and reception and transmission time difference, and the measurement configuration parameters include at least one of measurement period, number of measurements, whether it is periodic reporting, reporting period, and measurement identifier.

32. The communication device according to claim 25, wherein: If the communication device is in an RRC connected state, the communication device is served by the first base station, and the communication unit is specifically configured to send the measurement result to the first base station; or, if the communication device is served by the second base station, the communication unit is specifically configured to send the measurement result to the second base station; If the communication device is in an RRC non-connected state, the resident cell of the communication device corresponds to the first base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to send the measurement result to the first base station, or the resident cell of the communication device corresponds to the second base station, and the communication unit is specifically used to send the measurement result to the second base station.

33. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being configured to receive a signal from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signal to the processor or to send the signal from the processor to the communication device other than the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 by means of a logic circuit or by executing code instructions; or The processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16 through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

34. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is implemented; or The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16 is implemented.

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