Positioning system with nlos identification and multipath mitigation

Abstract

A system and method for positioning for line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a positioning reference signal (PRS) from a first transmission and reception point (TRP) of a network; and sending, by the UE to the network, a response. Wherein the sending of the response can include one selected from: sending an indicator indicating whether the UE has performed measurements based on the positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path; or, identifying a first detected path and sending, to the network, a plurality of measurements, the plurality of measurements including, for each of a first plurality of paths, a time difference of arrival relative to a time of arrival of the first detected path, the first plurality of paths not including the first detected path, and the first plurality of paths including at least two paths.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to (one or more) related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to (i) U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 091,153, filed October 13, 2020, entitled “NR POSITIONING WITH NLOS LINK IDENTIFICATION”, and (ii) U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 134,421, filed January 6, 2021, entitled “NR POSITIONING WITH NLOS LINK IDENTIFICATION”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] One or more aspects of embodiments of this disclosure relate to positioning in mobile communication networks, and more specifically, to a system and method for positioning that can adapt to line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments. Background Technology

[0004] In mobile communication networks, positioning accuracy can be significantly reduced due to the multipath effect caused by non-line-of-sight signals. This is especially true for indoor Internet of Things (IIoT) scenarios.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for positioning that can adapt to both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: receiving a positioning reference signal (PRS) from a first transmit and receive point (TRP) of a network by a user equipment (UE); and sending a response to the network by the UE, wherein sending the response comprises selecting one of: sending an indicator to the network by the UE indicating whether the UE has performed a measurement based on the positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path; or, identifying a first detection path by the UE and sending a plurality of measurements to the network, wherein for each of a first plurality of paths, the plurality of measurements include a time difference of arrival relative to an arrival time of the first detection path, the first plurality of paths not including the first detection path, and the first plurality of paths including at least two paths.

[0007] In some embodiments, sending a response includes the UE sending an indicator to the network indicating whether the UE has performed a measurement based on a positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path.

[0008] In some embodiments, the indicator is a binary value.

[0009] In some embodiments, the indicator is a value selected from a set of three or more finite-precision values in the interval [0, 1].

[0010] In some embodiments, the indicator is an estimate of a likelihood that the UE has performed measurements based on positioning reference signals received via a line-of-sight path.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: calculating, by the UE, a power delay profile (PDP) or a channel impulse response (CIR) corresponding to the positioning reference signals; and generating, by the UE, the indicator based on the power delay profile or the channel impulse response.

[0012] In some embodiments, the sending of the indicator comprises sending the indicator in a SignalMeasurementlnformation information element (IE) for PRS-RSRP, RSTD, and Rx-Tx time difference measurements.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sending of the response comprises identifying, by the UE, a first detected path, and sending, by the UE to the network, a plurality of measurements for each of a first plurality of paths, the plurality of measurements including a time difference of arrival relative to a time of arrival of the first detected path for each of the first plurality of paths, the first plurality of paths excluding the first detected path, and the first plurality of paths including two paths.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first plurality of paths includes three paths.

[0015] In some embodiments, for each path in the first plurality of paths, the plurality of measurements further includes a received power for the path.

[0016] In some embodiments, for each path in the first plurality of paths, the received power for the path is a power measurement for the path relative to a power measurement for the first detected path.

[0017] In some embodiments, for each path in the first plurality of paths, the received power for the path is a power measurement for the path relative to a total power measurement across all paths.

[0018] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system is provided, comprising: a user equipment (UE) comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) from a first transmission and reception point (TRP) of a network; and transmit a response to the network, wherein the transmission of the response comprises one selected from: transmission by the UE to the network of an indicator indicating whether the UE has performed measurements based on the positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path; or identification by the UE of a first detected path, and transmission by the UE to the network of a plurality of measurements, for each of a first plurality of paths, the plurality of measurements comprising a time difference of arrival of a time of arrival relative to the first detected path, the first plurality of paths not including the first detected path, and the first plurality of paths comprising at least two paths.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transmission of the response comprises transmission by the UE to the network of an indicator indicating whether the UE has performed measurements based on the positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path.

[0020] In some embodiments, the indicator is a binary value.

[0021] In some embodiments, the indicator is a value selected from a set of three or more finite precision values in the interval [0, 1].

[0022] In some embodiments, the indicator is an estimate of a likelihood that the UE has performed measurements based on the positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path.

[0023] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry is further configured to: compute a power delay profile (PDP) or channel impulse response (CIR) corresponding to the positioning reference signal; and generate the indicator based on the power delay profile or channel impulse response.

[0024] In some embodiments, the transmission of the indicator comprises transmission of the indicator in a SignalMeasurementInformation information element (IE) for PRS-RSRP, RSTD, and Rx-Tx time difference measurements.

[0025] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system is provided, comprising: a user equipment (UE) comprising means for processing configured to: receive a positioning reference signal (PRS) from a first transmission and reception point (TRP) of a network; and transmit a response to the network, wherein the transmission of the response comprises one selected from: an indicator transmitted by the UE to the network indicating whether the UE has performed measurements based on the positioning reference signal received via a line-of-sight path; or, a first detected path is identified by the UE, and a plurality of measurements are transmitted by the UE to the network, the plurality of measurements comprising, for each of a first plurality of paths, a time difference of arrival relative to a time of arrival of the first detected path, the first plurality of paths not including the first detected path, and the first plurality of paths comprising at least two paths. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by reference to the detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a method for positioning according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of a method for positioning according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a method for positioning according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of a method for positioning according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 3 is a plot of a power-time delay profile according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 4A is a flowchart of a method according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4B is a format table according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a portion of a mobile communication system according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0035] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for positioning that are capable of adapting to line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments provided in accordance with the present disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present disclosure can be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features of the present disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. As indicated elsewhere herein, identical element numbers are intended to indicate identical or similar elements or features.

[0037] Various methods can be used to perform positioning of a user equipment (UE) 105 (e.g., a mobile phone) in a mobile communication system (e.g., in a 5G New Radio (NR) system). Any such method can be one of three categories: (i) downlink positioning methods (methods that use one or more downlink transmissions, such as downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) and downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD)), (ii) uplink positioning methods (methods that use one or more uplink transmissions, such as uplink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) and uplink angle of arrival (DL-AoA)), and (iii) downlink plus uplink (DL+UL) positioning methods (methods that use one or more downlink transmissions and one or more uplink transmissions, such as multi-time round trip time (multi-RTT)). For example, reference is made to Figure 1A In a method using downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA), the UE measures the reference signal time difference (RSTD) between a serving transmission and reception point (TRP) and a reference TRP and reports it to a location management function (LMF). From two such RSTDs (e.g., (i) the RSTD t2-t1 between the second TRP and the first TRP and (ii) the RSTD t3-t1 between the third TRP and the first TRP), the LMF can be able to infer the position of the UE 105. Reference is made to Figure 1BIn a method using receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference, a TRP can transmit a positioning reference signal (PRS) to a UE 105, and the UE 105 can transmit to the TRP 110 (i) a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the TRP 110 and (ii) a receive-transmit (Rx-Tx) time difference (each of which can be a time difference between reception of the PRS at the UE and transmission of the SRS by the UE). From (i) the transmission time of the PRS, (ii) the measurement of the time of arrival of the SRS, and (iii) the reported Rx-Tx time difference, the network can compute the round-trip time from each of the TRPs 110 to the UE, and from these round-trip times, the LMF can compute the location of the UE. Data can be sent to the location server 115 using the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Positioning Protocol (LPP) or the New Radio Positioning Protocol a (NRPPa).

[0038] Figure 2A A downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) positioning method is illustrated, in which each of several TRPs 110 transmits a plurality of PRS signals using different transmit (Tx) beams each having a different beam direction. The UE measures the reference signal received power (RSRP) of the downlink PRS for each Tx beam and reports it to the LMF, which infers the location of the UE. Figure 2B An analogous uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning method is shown, in which each of several TRPs 110 measures the angle of arrival of an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) and reports it to the LMF, which infers the location of the UE.

[0039] In timing-based positioning methods, random bias due to non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions can degrade the performance of the position estimate. For example, in the Indoor Factory (InF) model defined in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 38.901, the average NLOS excess delay is 48.3 ns, corresponding to 14.5 m. NLOS conditions can similarly degrade the performance of angle-based positioning methods, such as downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) and uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning methods. Since there is a strict requirement of 20 centimeters for positioning accuracy in indoor Internet of Things (IIoT) scenarios in 3GPP Study Item (SID), 3GPP Document RP-202094, NLOS detection can be important to meet the requirement.

[0040] Figure 3 Power delay profiles (PDPs) for a line-of-sight (LOS) scenario and for a NLOS scenario (e.g., an indoor factory scenario) are shown. From Figure 3It can be seen that in the LOS scenario, the highest peak of the measurement is very prominent. It is the first very clear peak caused by the measurement noise floor. In contrast, in the NLOS case, the highest peak of the measurement data is very flat. The nature of the LOS peak can be attributed to the fact that under LOS conditions all scattered signals arrive after the LOS component of the delay profile. Due to higher path loss and other loss attribution effects, the amplitude of the arriving scattered signals can typically be lower than the LOS reception. In the NLOS case, the highest peak can arrive after many other scattered peaks. Even when the NLOS peak is prominent, it can be received after the diffuse scattering components. Receiving the diffuse scattering components together with and before the prominent NLOS peak makes the rise of the peak flat, as Figure 3 illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0041] As such, a method such as Figure 4A illustrated in FIG. 4 can be used to determine whether a scenario is LOS or NLOS. In an embodiment of Figure 4A , the UE generates a PDP (or channel impulse response (CIR)) at 405, and the UE determines whether a first peak (which can also be referred to as a “first detected path”) is the highest at 410. If not, the UE determines that the first detected path is a NLOS path at 415; if so, the UE determines whether the rise time of the first detected path is steep or flat at 420. If it is flat, the UE determines that the first detected path is a NLOS path at 415. If it is steep, the UE determines that the first detected path is a LOS path at 425.

[0042] The first detected path can be identified, for example, by (i) filtering the PDP with a moving and filter using a first window, finding the maximum of the moving sum, and then selecting the maximum from the (unfiltered) PDP within another (second) window having a second width as the first detected path. Specifically, the moving sum is computed by using a second moving window in a forward direction from the maximum of the first window. If the moving sum is greater than a pre-computed threshold, the tap corresponding to the PDP is detected as the first arriving path. The second width can be equal to the first width.

[0043] As mentioned above, due to the effect of multipath caused by NLOS signals, the positioning accuracy can be significantly reduced, which is especially true for indoor Internet of Things (IIoT) scenarios. To address this issue, a UE can implement a LOS / NLOS detection algorithm to classify each link to a TRP as a NLOS link or a LOS link, and then report the classification result to a location server. With the LOS / NLOS information, the location server can be able to select a suitable positioning method to meet the accuracy requirement.

[0044] In some embodiments, in addition to reporting measurements of RSRP, RSTD, and Rx-Tx time difference, the UE can report to the location server a LOS / NLOS indicator corresponding to each received PRS signal. Each reported LOS / NLOS indicator can be a hard decision (e.g., a binary value chosen from a set of two values (e.g., from the values zero and one)) or a soft decision (e.g., a floating point or real value, or an integer from an integer range (e.g., 0-255), or another value chosen from a set of three or more values). A soft decision can be an estimate of the likelihood that the UE received the PRS via a line-of-sight path. A hard decision indicator can rely on LOS / NLOS detection performed by the UE and can require less complexity at the LMF. However, a soft decision can provide higher accuracy for positioning performance. One example of a LOS / NLOS indicator with a soft decision is for the UE to provide a likelihood that it has performed NLOS detection, i.e., a probability that the first detected path is LOS, or a probability that the first detected path is NLOS. In this case, the reported LOS / NLOS indicator can be a discrete value between some set of 0 and 1, e.g., a value from the set {0, 0.1, 0.2… 0.9, 1}.

[0045] The LOS / NLOS indicator can be associated with a PRS resource or a PRS measurement. Specifically, the LOS / NLOS indicator value can change for different PRS identifiers (IDs) and different measurement times (e.g., time stamps). Each TRP can transmit PRS signals from time to time. Each such transmission can be referred to as a “PRS signal,” which can also be denoted as a “PRS resource” in the time-frequency domain.

[0046] In Rel-16 NR positioning, the measurements reported by the UE are associated with each positioning method. For example, for the multi-RTT method, the UE can need to report RSRP and Rx-Tx time difference measurements to the location server. The target device (e.g., UE) provides NR multi-RTT measurements to the location server using the information element (IE) NR-Multi-RTT-SignalMeasurementlnformation, as specified in 3GPP TS 37.355. For example, a new information element (IE) can be added in the IE NR-Multi-RTT-MeasElement in the IE NR-Multi-RTT-SignalMeasurementlnformation to configure the LOS / NLOS indicator reported from the UE, as Figure 4BThe LOS / NLOS indicator can take any value between 0 and 1. For other positioning methods, such as DL-TDOA, DL-AoD, the LOS / NLOS indicator can be configured in the same way in the IE SignalMeasurementlnformation.

[0047] In Rel-16 NR positioning, each PRS resource ID is associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP. For different Tx / Rx beams, the LOS / NLOS condition can be different. Moreover, due to the mobility of the UE, even PRS resources with the same ID but received at different slots can have different LOS / NLOS channel conditions. Therefore, it can be desirable to design the LOS / NLOS indicator at the PRS resource level, rather than at the PRS resource set level or other higher level.

[0048] The reporting of the LOS / NLOS indicator is subject to UE capability (i.e., due to complexity and energy consumption, some UEs can not be able to generate the LOS / NLOS indicator). Moreover, even if the UE has the capability to generate the LOS / NLOS indicator, depending on the channel conditions, the indicator can not be correct. Therefore, the UE can first indicate to the network whether it has the capability to perform LOS / NLOS detection. Such a capability indicator can be included in the UE capability report.

[0049] The network can configure the UE to report multiple measurements corresponding to multiple multipath components (or “paths”) to increase the positioning accuracy. For example, the UE can measure and report multiple RSTDs and / or Rx-Tx time differences and / or path PRS-RSRPs corresponding to different paths at different delays around the first detected path of arrival (or “first detected path”). In some embodiments, the UE reports, for each of multiple other paths that do not include the first detected path, a time of arrival difference relative to the time of arrival of the first detected path (where each time of arrival difference relative to the time of arrival of the first detected path is the difference between (i) the time of arrival of the other path and (ii) the time of arrival of the first detected path). The exact number of RSTDs / Rx-Tx time differences / path PRS-RSRPs to report can be configured by the network.

[0050] More specifically, the UE can report to the LMF measurements corresponding to N additional time-domain paths (where N is greater than or equal to 2) (e.g., three or more paths) in addition to the first detected path. As used herein, a “path” corresponds to a tap in a CIR / PDP for PRS reception. The additional paths can be around the first detected path according to certain criteria. Specifically, the additional paths can be classified according to (i) delay / time of arrival (relative to the first detected path) or (ii) power of each additional path (as an absolute value, as a value relative to the first detected path, or as a value relative to RSRP (total power over all paths)).

[0051] “Around” the first detected path refers to being close to the first detected path in terms of power and / or time of arrival. For example, if the UE is configured to report measurements including N+1 paths of which the first detected path is one, the N additional paths in the report can be classified as (i) paths having a power within a threshold of the power of the first detected path, and (ii) the N paths having the largest powers. As another example of additional paths that can be considered to be around the first detected path in terms of time of arrival, the UE can be configured to report measurements of N paths in addition to the first detected path, the N additional paths being the N consecutive paths immediately following the first detected path in terms of time of arrival. The measurements reported for the additional paths can be used by the LMF for position estimation in a downlink positioning method, an uplink positioning method, or a downlink plus uplink positioning method. Once the position server receives multiple measurement reports of multiple paths from one or more TRPs, it can process the measurements (e.g., using a suitable algorithm) to improve the positioning accuracy.

[0052] In a downlink angle of departure (DL-AoD) positioning method as specified in Rel-16, the UE position can be estimated based on DL PRS-RSRP measurements at the UE of downlink radio signals from multiple transmissions and from multiple TRPs, along with knowledge of the geographic coordinates of the TRPs and their relative downlink timing. The UE can use CSI-RS or PRS for RSRP measurements. Once RSRP has been reported from the UE, some example embodiments can utilize a suitable method to estimate the DL-AoD. For example, some example embodiments can use a fingerprinting-dependent or similar estimation algorithm to determine the DL-AoD based on RSRP reports across multiple beams received at the UE from the same TRP.

[0053] Under NLOS conditions, this approach can exhibit poor performance because, for example, the beam direction with the largest RSRP can be different from the beam direction of the LOS path between the TRP and the UE. If the location server estimates the position of the UE using the beam direction corresponding to the NLOS path, this can result in a non-negligible positioning error. Therefore, it is desirable for the UE to report, in the DL-AoD approach, the RSRP measurement corresponding to the LOS path when reception via the LOS path is available, and to report whether the measurement was made for the LOS path. To this end, if the UE is able to detect LOS / NLOS, the UE can measure the RSRP corresponding to the first arriving path and perform the LOS / NOS detection, and report the RSRP measurement and the LOS / NLOS information to the location server.

[0054] Figure 5 A system is shown that includes a UE 505 and a gNB 510 in communication with one another. The UE can include a radio 515 and processing circuitry (or means for processing) 520, which can perform various methods disclosed herein, such as the methods illustrated in Figure 6 FIGS. 1-4. For example, the processing circuitry 520 can receive a transmission from a network node (gNB) 510 via the radio 515, and the processing circuitry 520 can transmit a signal to the gNB 510 via the radio 515. Figure 6 A flow diagram of a method is shown, in some embodiments, at 605, the UE receives a first positioning reference signal (PRS) from a first transmission and reception point (TRP) of a network, and at 610, the UE can transmit an indicator to the network indicating whether the UE received the first positioning reference signal via a line of sight path.

[0055] As used herein, a “portion” of something refers to “at least some” of that thing, and thus can refer to less than the whole or the whole of the thing. Therefore, a “portion” of a thing, as used herein, includes the whole thing as a special example, i.e., the whole thing is an example of a portion of the thing. As used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as “and / or”, such that, for example, “A or B” means “any of A, B, or both A and B”.

[0056] Each of the terms “processing circuitry” and “means for processing” is used herein to refer to any combination of hardware, firmware, and software for processing data or digital signals. The processing circuitry hardware can include, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general purpose or special purpose central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a programmable logic device such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA). In the processing circuitry, as used herein, each function is either performed by hardware configured (i.e., hardwired) to perform that function, or by more general purpose hardware, such as a CPU, configured to execute instructions stored in a non-transitory storage medium. The processing circuitry can be fabricated on a single printed circuit board (PCB) or distributed among multiple interconnected PCBs. The processing circuitry can contain other processing circuitry; for example, the processing circuitry can include two processing circuits, an FPGA and a CPU interconnected on a PCB. As described above, the processing circuitry or means for processing in the UE can perform the methods described herein, for example, by transmitting signals (through a radio of the UE) or by receiving signals (through a radio of the UE), and in some cases by performing further processing.

[0057] As used herein, when a method (e.g., adjusting) or a first quantity (e.g., a first variable) is referred to as being “based on” a second quantity (e.g., a second variable), this means that the second quantity is an input to the method or influences the first quantity, e.g., the second quantity can be an input (e.g., the only input, or one of several inputs) to a function from which the first quantity is computed, or the first quantity can equal the second quantity, or the first quantity can be identical to the second quantity (e.g., stored in one or more locations in memory that are identical to the second quantity).

[0058] It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept.

[0059] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, unless otherwise indicated herein, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0060] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding the list of two or more items, modify the entire list of items and do not modify the individual items of the list. Also, the use of “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “expects,” “is expected,” “is intended,” and similar expressions that can be used herein, are intended to convey the circumstance that an embodiment of the present disclosure can or can not, e.g., based on the circumstances, be so construed. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean an example or an illustration.

[0061] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on” another element or layer, “connected to” another element or layer, “coupled to” another element or layer, or “adjacent” another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly adjacent the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can also be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “immediately adjacent” to another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

[0062] Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same whole number recited as the upper limit of the range. For example, a range of “1.0 to 10.0” or “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all sub-ranges, e.g., 2.4 to 7.6, 3.5 to 5.5, etc. In other words, any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein.

[0063] While example embodiments of systems and methods for positioning that are adaptable to line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments have been described and illustrated herein, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that many modifications and changes will be possible. It is therefore intended to be understood that systems and methods for positioning that are adaptable to line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure can be embodied in a different manner than as specifically described herein. The present application is also defined in the following claims, and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for positioning, comprising: The user equipment (UE) receives the positioning reference signal (PRS) from the first transmit and receive point (TRP) of the network. as well as The UE sends a response to the network. The transmission of the response includes the UE sending an indicator to the network, the indicator indicating at the PRS resource level whether the UE has performed a measurement based on the PRS received via a line-of-sight path. The method further includes: The UE calculates the power delay spectrum (PDP) or channel impulse response (CIR) corresponding to the PRS. The UE determines whether the rise time of the peak of the PDP or CIR is steep or gradual; and The indicator is generated by the UE based on the determination.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, The indicator is a binary value.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, The indicator is a value selected from a set of three or more finite-precision values ​​in the interval [0, 1].

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The indicator is an estimate of the probability that the UE has performed a measurement based on the PRS received via the line-of-sight path.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The transmission of the indicator includes sending the indicator in the SignalMeasurementInformation element (IE) for PRS-RSRP, RSTD, and Rx-Tx time difference measurements.

6. A system for positioning, comprising: User equipment (UE), including processing circuitry The processing circuit is configured as follows: Receive the Position Reference Signal (PRS) from the first transmission and reception point (TRP) of the network; as well as Send a response to the network. The transmission of the response includes the UE sending an indicator to the network, the indicator indicating at the PRS resource level whether the UE has performed a measurement based on the PRS received via a line-of-sight path. The processing circuit is further configured as follows: The UE calculates the power delay spectrum (PDP) or channel impulse response (CIR) corresponding to the PRS. The UE determines whether the rise time of the peak of the PDP or CIR is steep or gradual; and The indicator is generated by the UE based on the determination.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, The indicator is a binary value.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein, The indicator is a value selected from a set of three or more finite-precision values ​​in the interval [0, 1].

9. The system of claim 8, wherein, The indicator is an estimate of the probability that the UE has performed a measurement based on the PRS received via the line-of-sight path.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein, The transmission of the indicator includes sending the indicator in the SignalMeasurementInformation element (IE) for PRS-RSRP, RSTD, and Rx-Tx time difference measurements.

11. A system for positioning, comprising: Including user equipment (UE) for processing devices, The processing apparatus is configured as follows: Receive the Position Reference Signal (PRS) from the first transmission and reception point (TRP) of the network; and Send a response to the network. The transmission of the response includes the UE sending an indicator to the network, the indicator indicating at the PRS resource level whether the UE has performed a measurement based on the PRS received via a line-of-sight path. The processing device is further configured as follows: The UE calculates the power delay spectrum (PDP) or channel impulse response (CIR) corresponding to the PRS. The UE determines whether the rise time of the peak of the PDP or CIR is steep or gradual; and The indicator is generated by the UE based on the determination.

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