Joint Consideration of the Maximum Number of Channel State Information Reference Signals and Positioning Reference Signal Resources

Abstract

Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed. In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) transmits capability information indicating a maximum number of downlink resources that are both positioning reference signal (PRS) resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can handle per unit time, receives a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, where the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the maximum number, and receives a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving transmit-receive point (TRP), one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, where the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the maximum number.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 to Greek Patent Application No. 20190100438, filed on October 4, 2019, titled "JOINT CONSIDERATION OF THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION REFERENCE SIGNAL AND POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL RESOURCES", and to U.S. Non - provisional Patent Application No. 17 / 060,775, filed on October 1, 2020, titled "JOINT CONSIDERATION OF THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION REFERENCE SIGNAL AND POSITIONING REFERENCE SIGNAL RESOURCES". Both of these patent applications are assigned to the assignee of the present application and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Background of the Invention 1. Field of Technology

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Wireless communication systems have evolved through many generations, including first - generation analog wireless telephone services (1G), second - generation (2G) digital wireless telephone services (including transitional 2.5G networks), third - generation (3G) high - speed data, wireless services with Internet capabilities, and fourth - generation (4G) services (e.g., LTE or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and personal communication services (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc.

[0007] The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), requires higher data transfer speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide data rates of tens of megabits per second to each of tens of thousands of users, with data rates of 1 gigabit per second to dozens of workers on an office floor. To support large-scale wireless sensor deployments, hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. Additionally, compared to the current standard, signaling efficiency should be enhanced and latency should be significantly reduced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A simplified summary related to one or more aspects disclosed herein is presented below. Accordingly, the following summary should not be considered an extensive review of all covered aspects, nor should it be considered an identification of key or critical elements related to all covered aspects or a delineation of the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the following summary has the sole purpose of presenting in a simplified form certain concepts related to one or more aspects involving the mechanisms disclosed herein prior to the detailed description presented below.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a wireless communication method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method including: transmitting capability information that indicates a maximum number of downlink resources for both positioning reference signal (PRS) resources and downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time; receiving, from a positioning server, a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the maximum number; and receiving, from a network entity, a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the maximum number.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of wireless communication performed by a serving TRP of a UE, the method including: receiving capability information that indicates a number of downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time, wherein the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources for both PRS resources and downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals per unit time; and configuring, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the number of downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals received in the capability information.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a method of wireless communication performed by a network entity participating in a positioning session with a UE, the method including: receiving capability information indicating a number of PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time, where the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources for both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals; and configuring, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, where the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the number of PRS resources received in the capability information.

[0012] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a UE, the UE including: a memory; at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: cause the at least one transceiver to transmit capability information indicating a maximum number of downlink resources for both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time; receive, via the at least one transceiver, a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals from a serving TRP, where the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the maximum number; and receive, via the at least one transceiver, a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both from a network entity, where the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the maximum number.

[0013] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a serving TRP, the serving TRP including: a memory; at least one transceiver, and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, via the at least one transceiver, capability information indicating a number of downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time, where the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources for both PRS resources and downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals; and configure, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, where the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the number of downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals received in the capability information.

[0014] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a network entity that includes: a memory; at least one network interface; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one network interface, the at least one processor being configured to: receive, via the at least one network interface, capability information indicating the number of PRS resources that a UE can process per unit time, wherein the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals and downlink resources; and configure, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the number of PRS resources received in the capability information.

[0015] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a UE that includes: means for transmitting capability information indicating a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals and downlink resources that the UE can process per unit time; means for receiving, from a serving TRP, a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the maximum number; and means for receiving, from a network entity, a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the maximum number.

[0016] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a serving TRP that includes: means for receiving capability information indicating the number of downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that a UE can process per unit time, wherein the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals and downlink resources; and means for configuring, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the number of downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals received in the capability information.

[0017] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a network entity comprising: means for receiving capability information indicating the number of PRS resources that a UE can process per unit time, wherein the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals; and means for configuring, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the number of PRS resources received in the capability information.

[0018] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including: at least one instruction for instructing the UE to send capability information indicating a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time; at least one instruction for instructing the UE to receive a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals from a serving TRP, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the maximum number; and an instruction for instructing the UE to receive a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both from a network entity, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the maximum number.

[0019] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including: at least one instruction for instructing a serving TRP of the UE to receive capability information indicating the number of downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time, wherein the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources and downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals; and an instruction for instructing the serving TRP to configure, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the number of downlink resources received in the capability information for the one or more second downlink channels or signals.

[0020] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a non - transitory computer - readable medium storing computer - executable instructions, the computer - executable instructions including: at least one instruction for instructing a network entity to receive capability information indicating the number of PRS resources that a UE can process per unit time, where the UE can process up to a maximum number of downlink resources that are both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals per unit time; and means for configuring, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more adjacent TRPs, or both, where the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the number of PRS resources received in the capability information.

[0021] Based on the drawings and the detailed description, other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The drawings are presented to assist in describing various aspects of the present disclosure, and the drawings are provided for illustration purposes only and not to limit the aspects.

[0023] Figure 1 Illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects.

[0024] Figure 2A and 2B Illustrates an exemplary wireless network structure in accordance with various aspects.

[0025] Figures 3A to 3C Is a simplified block diagram of several exemplary aspects of components that can be employed in a UE, a base station, and a network entity, respectively.

[0026] Figure 4A and 4B Is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure and channels within the frame structure in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5 Is a diagram of an exemplary physical layer process for processing PRS transmitted on multiple beams in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figures 6 to 8 Illustrates an exemplary wireless communication method in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and associated drawings of various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects can be designed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, well - known elements of the present disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details of the present disclosure.

[0030] The terms "exemplary" and / or "example" are used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" and / or "example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Similarly, the term "aspect of the present disclosure" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different technologies and methods may be used to represent the information and signals described below. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the following description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on a particular application, in part on a desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0032] In addition, many aspects are described in accordance with, for example, sequences of actions to be performed by elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that the various actions described herein may be performed by specific circuitry (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein may be regarded as fully embodied within any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or direct the associated processor of the device to perform the functionality described herein. Accordingly, the various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms, all of which are considered to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Additionally, for each aspect described herein, a corresponding form of any such aspect may be described herein as, for example, "logic" configured to perform the described action.

[0033] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT). In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smart watch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). The UE can be mobile or can be stationary (e.g., at certain times), and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term "UE" can be interchangeably referred to as "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or "UT", "mobile device", "mobile terminal", "mobile station" or a variant thereof. In general, a UE can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network, the UE can connect to external networks such as the Internet and to other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for a UE to connect to the core network and / or the Internet are possible, such as via a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (e.g., based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, etc.), and so on.

[0034] A base station can operate according to one of several RATs that communicate with the UE, depending on the network in which the base station is deployed, or the base station can be referred to as an access point (AP), network node, NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), New Radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as gNB or gNodeB), etc. The base station can be mainly used to support the wireless access of the UE, including supporting data, voice, and / or signaling connections of the supported UEs. In some systems, the base station can purely provide an edge node signaling function, while in other systems, it can provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link by which the UE can send signals to the base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link by which the base station can send signals to the UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to an uplink / reverse or downlink / forward traffic channel.

[0035] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit-receive point (TRP), or multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, in the case where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP can be the antenna of the base station corresponding to a cell (or several cell sectors) of the base station. In the case where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be an antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or when beamforming is employed at the base station). In the case where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRPs can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the non-co-located physical TRPs can be the serving base station that receives measurement reports from the UE and an adjacent base station whose reference RF signal (or simply "reference signal") the UE is measuring. Since, as used herein, a TRP is the point at which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, a reference to transmission by the base station or reception at the base station should be understood to refer to a particular TRP of the base station.

[0036] In some implementations that support UE positioning, the base station may not support wireless access by the UE (e.g., may not support UE data, voice, and / or signaling connections), but can instead send a reference signal to the UE for the UE to measure, and / or can receive and measure signals sent by the UE. Such a base station can be referred to as a positioning beacon (e.g., when sending a signal to the UE) and / or a positioning measurement unit (e.g., when receiving and measuring signals from the UE).

[0037] An "RF signal" includes an electromagnetic wave of a given frequency that transmits information through the space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter can send a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through a multipath channel, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and the receiver can be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal. As used herein, an RF signal can also be referred to as a "wireless signal" or simply a "signal", where it is clear from the context that the term "signal" refers to a wireless signal or an RF signal.

[0038] According to various aspects, Figure 1FIG. illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 (which may also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) may include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, the macro cell base stations may include eNBs and / or ng-eNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or gNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an NR network or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations may include femto cells, pico cells, micro cells, etc.

[0039] The base stations 102 may together form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC)) via a backhaul link 122 and interface with one or more positioning servers 172 (which may be part of the core network 170 or may be external to the core network 170) via the core network 170. Among other functions, the base stations 102 may perform functions related to one or more of the following: transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, radio access network information management (RIM), paging, delivery of positioning and warning messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via the EPC / 5GC) on a backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0040] Base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographical coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells may be supported by the base station 102 in each geographical coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity for communicating with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, frequency band, etc.), and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCI), virtual cell identifier (VCI), cell global identifier (CGI)). In some cases, different cells may be configured according to different protocol types that may provide access for different types of UEs (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or other protocol types). Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" may, depending on the context, refer to either or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it. Additionally, since a TRP is typically the physical transmission point of a cell, the terms "cell" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably. In some cases, the term "cell" may also refer to the geographical coverage area of a base station (e.g., a sector), as long as the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within some portion of the geographical coverage area 110.

[0041] Although the geographical coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handover area), some of the geographical coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by a larger geographical coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a geographical coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the geographical coverage areas 110 of one or more macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home eNBs (HeNBs), which may provide services to a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0042] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include an uplink (also referred to as a reverse link) transmission from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or a downlink (also referred to as a forward link) transmission from the base station 102 to the UE 104. The communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link 120 may pass through one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to the downlink and the uplink (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated for the downlink than for the uplink).

[0043] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Access Point (AP) 150 that communicates with a WLAN Station (STA) 152 over a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in an unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) or Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure before communication to determine if the channel is available.

[0044] The small cell base station 102' may operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base station 102' may employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as that used by the WLAN AP 150. The small cell base station 102' adopting LTE / 5G in the unlicensed spectrum may enhance the coverage of the access network and / or increase the capacity of the access network. NR in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as NR-U. LTE in the unlicensed spectrum may be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0045] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a Millimeter Wave (mmW) base station 180 that may operate at mmW frequencies and / or frequencies close to mmW frequencies to communicate with a UE 182. Extremely High Frequency (EHF) is a part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Frequencies close to mmW may extend down to 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The Super High Frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communication using the mmW / near mmW radio frequency band has high path loss and a relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 may utilize beamforming (transmission and / or reception) on the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short distance. Additionally, it should be understood that in an alternative configuration, one or more of the base stations 102 may also use mmW or near mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing description is merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0046] Transmit beamforming is a technique used to focus RF signals in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thus providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device. To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters that broadcast the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that creates an RF beam that can be "manipulated" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationships such that the radio waves from the separate antennas add together to increase the radiation in the desired direction while canceling to suppress the radiation in the undesired directions.

[0047] Transmit beams can be quasi - co - located, which means that they appear to have the same parameters to a receiver (e.g., a UE) regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network node are physically co - located. In NR, there are four types of quasi - co - location (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters regarding a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information regarding a source reference RF signal on a source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0048] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses receive beams to amplify the RF signals detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase the gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of the antenna array in a specific direction to amplify (e.g., increase the gain level) the RF signals received from that direction. Thus, when the receiver is said to beamform in a certain direction, this means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gains in other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gains in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signals received from that direction.

[0049] Receive beams can be spatially related. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam of a second reference signal can be derived from the information of the receive beam of a first reference signal. For example, a UE can use a specific receive beam to receive one or more reference downlink reference signals (e.g., positioning reference signal (PRS), navigation reference signal (NRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), synchronization signal block (SSC), etc.) from a base station. Then, the UE can form a transmit beam for transmitting one or more uplink reference signals (e.g., uplink positioning reference signal (UL-PRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), etc.) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0050] Note that a "downlink" beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, it is a receive beam for receiving downlink reference signals. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, while if the UE is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0051] In 5G, the spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges, FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In a multi-carrier system such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the "primary carrier" or "anchor carrier" or "primary serving cell" or "PCell", and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as "secondary carriers" or "secondary serving cells" or "SCells". In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by the UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 performs the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2) that can be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier and can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier can be a carrier in an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier can contain only necessary signaling information and signals. For example, since the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific, those UE-specific signaling information and signals may not exist in the secondary carrier. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to the uplink primary carrier. The network is able to change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier on which a certain base station communicates, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0052] For example, still referring to Figure 1 , one of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be the anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCells"). The simultaneous transmission and / or reception of multiple carriers enables the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rate. For example, compared to the data rate obtained with a single 20 MHz carrier, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a two-fold increase in the data rate (i.e., 40 MHz).

[0053] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which is indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. In Figure 1 the example, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104, one of UEs 104 is connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity), and a D2D P2P link 194 with WLAN STA 152, WLAN STA 152 is connected to WLAN AP 150 (through which UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported by any known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), and so on.

[0054] The wireless communication system 100 may also include UE 164, which can communicate with the macro cell base station 102 through the communication link 120 and / or communicate with the mmW base station 180 through the mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCell for UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCell for UE 164.

[0055] According to various aspects, Figure 2A an exemplary wireless network structure 200 is illustrated. For example, 5GC 210 (also referred to as Next Generation Core (NGC)) may be functionally regarded as a control plane function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and a user plane function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate collaboratively to form a core network. The user plane interface (NG-U) 213 and the control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB 222 to 5GC 210, and specifically connect to the control plane function 214 and the user plane function 212. In an additional configuration, ng-eNB 224 may also be connected to 5GC 210 via NG-C 215 to the control plane function 214 and NG-U 213 to the user plane function 212. In addition, ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, New RAN 220 may have only one or more gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of both ng-eNB 224 and gNB 222s. Either gNB 222 or ng-eNB 224 may communicate with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1communicate with any of the UEs depicted in []. Another optional aspect may include a positioning server 230, which may communicate with the 5GC 210 to provide positioning assistance for the UE 204. The positioning server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively may each correspond to a single server. The positioning server 230 may be configured to support one or more positioning services for the UE 204 that may be connected to the positioning server 230 via the core network 5GC 210 and / or via the Internet (not shown). Additionally, the positioning server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively may be external to the core network.

[0056] According to various aspects, Figure 2B Another exemplary wireless network structure 250 is illustrated. For example, the 5GC 260 may functionally be regarded as including a control plane function provided by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 264 and a user plane function provided by the User Plane Function (UPF) 262, which cooperate to form the core network (i.e., the 5GC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the ng-eNB 224 to the 5GC 260, and specifically connect to the UPF 262 and the AMF 264 respectively. In an additional configuration, the gNB 222 may also be connected to the 5GC 260 via the control plane interface 265 to the AMF 264 and the user plane interface 263 to the UPF 262. Additionally, the ng-eNB 224 may communicate directly with the gNB 222 via the backhaul connection 223, with or without a direct connection to the gNB of the 5GC 260. In some configurations, the New RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both the ng-eNB 224 and the gNB 222. Either the gNB 222 or the ng-eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 any of the UEs depicted in []). The base stations of the New RAN 220 communicate with the AMF 264 via the N2 interface and with the UPF 262 via the N3 interface.

[0057] The functions of the AMF 264 include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of session management (SM) messages between the UE 204 and the session management function (SMF) 266, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor function (SEAF). The AMF 264 also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and receives the intermediate key established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF 264 retrieves security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF 264 also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF, which is used to derive access network specific keys. The functions of the AMF 264 also include location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the location management function module LMF 270 (which acts as a location server 230), transmission of location service messages between the New RAN 220 and the LMF 270, allocation of evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identifiers for interworking with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Additionally, the AMF 264 also supports the functions of non-3GPP access networks.

[0058] The functions of the UPF 262 include acting as an anchor for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), acting as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point for interconnection to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful interception (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for the user plane (e.g., uplink / downlink rate enforcement, reflected QoS marking in the downlink), uplink traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in the uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node. The UPF 262 may also support the transmission of location service messages over the user plane between the UE 204 and a location server such as a secure user plane location (SUPL) location platform (SLP) 272.

[0059] The functions of the SMF 266 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering at the UPF 262 to route traffic to appropriate destinations, policy enforcement, and control of portions of QoS, as well as downlink data notification. The SMF 266 is referred to as the N11 interface through its interface that communicates with the AMF 264.

[0060] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which may communicate with the 5GC 260 to provide positioning assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively may each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more positioning services for the UE 204, which may be connected to the LMF 270 via the core network 5GC 260 and / or via the Internet (not shown). The SLP 272 may support similar functions as the LMF 270, but the LMF 270 may communicate with the AMF 264, New RAN 220, and the UE 204 on the control plane (e.g., using interfaces and protocols designed to send signaling notification messages rather than voice or data), and the SLP 272 may communicate with the UE 204 and external clients ( Figure 2B not shown in the figure) on the user plane (e.g., using protocols designed to carry voice and / or data, such as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and / or IP).

[0061] Figure 3A 、 3B Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate several exemplary components (represented by the corresponding boxes) that may be incorporated into a UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), a base station 304 (which may correspond to any base station described herein), and a network entity 306 (which may correspond to or embody any network function described herein, including a positioning server 230, an LMF 270, and an SLP 272) to support the file transfer operations taught herein. It will be understood that these components may be implemented in different ways in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-chip (SoC), etc.). The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other devices in the communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functions. Moreover, a given device may include one or more components. For example, a device may include multiple transceiver components that enable the device to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0062] UE 302 and base station 304 each include a wireless wide area network (WWAN) transceiver 310 and 350 respectively, which are configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown), such as an NR network, an LTE network, a GSM network, etc. The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be respectively connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356 for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., ng-eNB, gNB), etc.) via at least one specified RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) on an interested wireless communication medium (e.g., a set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum). The WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be differently configured to respectively transmit and encode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to the specified RAT, and conversely, respectively receive and decode signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 respectively include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358 respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358 respectively.

[0063] At least in some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include wireless local area network (WLAN) transceivers 320 and 360 respectively. The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be respectively connected to one or more antennas 326 and 366 for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.) via at least one specified RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, etc.) on the interested wireless communication medium. The WLAN transceivers 320 and 360 can be differently configured to respectively transmit and encode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) according to the specified RAT, and conversely, respectively receive and decode signals 328 and 368 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the transceivers 320 and 360 respectively include one or more transmitters 324 and 364 for respectively transmitting and encoding signals 328 and 368, and one or more receivers 322 and 362 for respectively receiving and decoding signals 328 and 368.

[0064] In some implementations, a transceiver circuit including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver may include an integrated device (e.g., a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit implemented as a single communication device), may include separate transmitter devices and separate receiver devices in some implementations, or may be implemented in other ways in other implementations. In one aspect, a transmitter may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, which permits the corresponding device to perform transmit "beamforming" as described herein. Similarly, a receiver may include or be coupled to a plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device to perform receive beamforming as described herein. In one aspect, a transmitter and a receiver may share the same plurality of antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 366), such that the corresponding device can only receive or transmit at a given time, rather than receive and transmit at the same time. The wireless communication devices of UE 302 and / or base station 304 (e.g., one or both of transceivers 310 and 320 and / or 350 and 360) may also include a network listening module (NLM) and the like for performing various measurements.

[0065] At least in some cases, UE 302 and base station 304 also include satellite positioning system (SPS) receivers 330 and 370. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may be respectively connected to one or more antennas 336 and 376 for receiving SPS signals 338 and 378 respectively, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) signals, Galileo signals, Beidou signals, Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC), Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), etc. SPS receivers 330 and 370 may include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing SPS signals 338 and 378 respectively. SPS receivers 330 and 370 request appropriate information and operations from other systems and perform the calculations necessary to determine the positions of UE 302 and base station 304 using measurements obtained by any suitable SPS algorithm.

[0066] Base station 304 and network entity 306 each include at least one network interface 380 and 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, network interfaces 380 and 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) may be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wired-based backhaul connection or a wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, network interfaces 380 and 390 may be implemented as transceivers configured to support wired-based signal communication or wireless signal communication. This communication may involve, for example, sending and receiving messages, parameters, and / or other types of information.

[0067] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302 includes processor circuitry that implements processing system 332, which is used to provide functionality related to, for example, positioning operations and to provide other processing functionality. Base station 304 includes processing system 384, which is used to provide functionality related to, for example, the positioning operations disclosed herein and to provide other processing functionality. Network entity 306 includes processing system 394, which is used to provide functionality related to, for example, the positioning operations disclosed herein and to provide other processing functionality. In one aspect, processing systems 332, 384, and 394 can include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuits.

[0068] UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 include memory circuitry that respectively implements memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In some cases, UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 can respectively include PRS / CSI-RS resource managers 342, 388, and 398. PRS / CSI-RS resource managers 342, 388, and 398 can be hardware circuits that are respectively part of or coupled to processing systems 332, 384, and 394, and when executed, cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein. In other aspects, PRS / CSI-RS resource managers 342, 388, and 398 can be located external to processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (e.g., part of a modem processing system, integrated with another processing system, etc.). Alternatively, PRS / CSI-RS resource managers 342, 388, and 398 can be memory modules (as shown in Figure 3A -C) respectively stored in memory components 340, 386, and 396, which when executed by processing systems 332, 384, and 394 (or a modem processing system, another processing system, etc.) cause UE 302, base station 304, and network entity 306 to perform the functions described herein.

[0069] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to a processing system 332 to provide movement and / or orientation information independent of movement data derived from signals received from the WWAN transceiver 310, the WLAN transceiver 320, and / or the SPS receiver 330. As an example, the sensors 344 may include an accelerometer (e.g., a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device), a gyroscope, a geomagnetic sensor (e.g., a compass), an altimeter (e.g., a barometric altimeter), and / or any other type of movement detection sensor. Additionally, the sensors 344 may include multiple different types of devices and combine their outputs to provide movement information. For example, the sensors 344 may use a combination of a multi-axis accelerometer and an orientation sensor to provide the ability to calculate a position in a 2D and / or 3D coordinate system.

[0070] Additionally, the UE 302 includes a user interface 346 for providing an indication to a user (e.g., an audible and / or visual indication) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, a touch screen, a microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the base station 304 and the network entity 306 may also include a user interface.

[0071] Referring in more detail to the processing system 384, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processing system 384. The processing system 384 may implement functions for the RRC layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, and the media access control (MAC) layer. The processing system 384 may provide RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., master information block (MIB), system information block (SIB)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), broadcast of inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via automatic repeat request (ARQ), concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0072] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 can implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes the physical (PHY) layer, can include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 disposes of the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Then, each stream can be mapped to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time domain and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using the inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM symbol stream is spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from the channel estimator can be used to determine the decoding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates can be derived from the reference signals transmitted by UE 302 and / or channel status feedback. Then, each spatial stream can be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 can modulate the RF carrier using the respective spatial streams for transmission.

[0073] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals via its respective antenna 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 302, then they can be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Then, receiver 312 uses the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency-domain signal includes separate OFDM symbol streams for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on the channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator. Then, the soft decisions are decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 304 on the physical channel. Then, the data and control signals are provided to processing system 332, which implements layer 3 and layer 2 functions.

[0074] On the uplink, the processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reconstitution, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0075] Similar to the functions described in connection with the downlink transmission of base station 304, the processing system 332 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reconstitution of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0076] Channel estimates derived from reference signals or feedback sent by the channel estimator from base station 304 can be used by transmitter 314 to select appropriate decoding and modulation schemes and assist in spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by transmitter 314 can be provided to different antennas 316. Transmitter 314 can modulate the RF carrier using the respective spatial streams for transmission.

[0077] At base station 304, the uplink transmission is processed in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at UE 302. Receiver 352 receives signals via its respective antennas 356. Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 384.

[0078] On the uplink, the processing system 384 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reconstitution, decryption, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from UE 302. The IP packets from processing system 384 can be provided to the core network. The processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0079] For convenience, UE 302, base station 304, and / or network entity 306 are shown in Figure 3A -C as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it should be understood that the illustrated boxes may have different functionality in different designs.

[0080] Each component of the UE 302, the base station 304, and the network entity 306 can communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382, and 392, respectively. The components of Figure 3A -C can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figure 3A the components of Figure 3A -C can be implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which can include one or more processors). Here, each circuit can use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide the function. For example, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 310 to 346 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of the UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 350 to 388 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of the base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Additionally, some or all of the functions represented by blocks 390 to 398 can be implemented by the processor and memory components of the network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being "performed by the UE", "performed by the base station", "performed by the positioning entity", etc. However, as will be appreciated, these operations, actions, and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE, base station, positioning entity, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350, and 360, memory components 340, 386, and 396, PRS / CSI-RS resource managers 342, 388, and 398, etc. Figure 3A Figure 3A

[0081] Various frame structures can be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (e.g., base stations and UEs). Figure 4A FIG. 400 is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink frame structure according to aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 4B FIG. 430 is a diagram illustrating an example of channels within a downlink frame structure according to aspects of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies can have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0082] LTE (NR in some cases) uses OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, different from LTE, NR also has the option of using OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as tones, frequency bands, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Generally, OFDM is used to transmit modulated symbols in the frequency domain, while SC-FDM is used to transmit modulated symbols in the time domain. The interval between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier interval can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Therefore, for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), the nominal FFT sizes can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048 respectively. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz respectively.

[0083] LTE supports a single parameter set (subcarrier interval, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple parameter sets (μ), for example, subcarrier intervals of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz or larger can be available. Table 1 provided below lists some various parameters for different NR numerologies.

[0084]

[0085]

[0086] Table 1

[0087] In Figure 4A and 4B example, a parameter set of 15 kHz is used. Therefore, in the time domain, a frame (e.g., 10 ms) is divided into 10 equal-sized subframes, each subframe being 1 ms, and each subframe includes one time slot. In Figure 4A and 4B , time is represented horizontally (e.g., on the X-axis), where time increases from left to right, while frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on the Y-axis), where frequency increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0088] The resource grid can be used to represent time slots, each time slot including one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is also divided into a plurality of resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to one symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. In Figure 4A and 4B parameter sets, for a normal cyclic prefix, an RB can include 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and seven consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, an RB can include 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and six consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0089] Some REs carry downlink reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS). DL-RS can include PRS in LTE, NRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, etc. in 5G. Figure 4A Illustrates an exemplary positioning of REs carrying PRS (labeled "R"). Note that the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" can sometimes refer to a specific reference signal used for positioning in an LTE system. However, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms "positioning reference signal" and "PRS" refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as but not limited to PRS in LTE, NRS, TRS, PTRS, CRS, CSI-RS, DMRS, PSS, SSS, etc. in 5G.

[0090] The set of resource elements (REs) used to transmit PRS is referred to as a "PRS resource". The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and 'N' (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol in the time domain, the PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.

[0091] The transmission of the PRS resource within a given PRB has a specific comb size (also referred to as "comb density"). The comb size 'N' represents the subcarrier spacing (or frequency / tone spacing) within each symbol of the PRS resource configuration. Specifically, for a comb size 'N', the PRS is transmitted in every Nth subcarrier of the symbol of the PRB. For example, for a comb-4, for each of the four symbols of the PRS resource configuration, the REs corresponding to every fourth subcarrier (e.g., subcarriers 0, 4, 8) are used to transmit the PRS of the PRS resource. Currently, comb sizes of comb-2, comb-4, comb-6, and comb-12 are supported for DL-PRS. Figure 4AIllustrates an exemplary PRS resource configuration for Comb-6 (spanning six symbols). That is, the positioning of the shaded REs (marked as "R") indicates the Comb-6 PRS resource configuration.

[0092] A "PRS resource set" is a set of PRS resources for transmitting PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Additionally, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and is associated with a specific TRP (identified by a cell ID). Additionally, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set have the same periodicity, common silent mode configuration, and the same repetition factor across time slots. The periodicity can have a length selected from m · {4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 32, 40, 64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120, 10240} time slots, where μ = 0, 1, 2, 3. The repetition factor can have a length selected from {1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32} time slots.

[0093] The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where the TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, a "PRS resource" or simply a "resource" can also be referred to as a "beam". Note that this does not imply anything about whether the UE knows the TRP and the beam on which the PRS is transmitted.

[0094] A "PRS instance" or "PRS occasion" is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., a set of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion can also be referred to as a "PRS positioning occasion", "PRS positioning instance", "positioning occasion", "positioning instance", or simply an "occasion" or "instance". "

[0095] The "positioning frequency layer" (also simply referred to as "frequency layer") is a set of one or more PRS resource sets across one or more TRPs with certain parameters having the same values. Specifically, the set of PRS resource sets has the same subcarrier spacing (SCS) and cyclic prefix (CP) type (meaning that all parameter sets supported by the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) also support PRS), the same point A, the same downlink PRS bandwidth value, the same starting PRB (and center frequency), and the same comb size. The point A parameter takes the value of the parameter ARFCN-ValueNR (where "ARFCN" stands for "absolute radio frequency channel number"), and is an identifier / code for a pair of physical radio channels specified for transmission and reception. The downlink PRS bandwidth can have a granularity of four PRBs, with a minimum of 24 PRBs and a maximum of 272 PRBs. Currently, up to four frequency layers have been defined, and each TRP in each frequency layer can be configured with up to two PRS resource sets.

[0096] Figure 4B The figure illustrates an example of various channels within the downlink slot of a radio frame. In NR, the channel bandwidth or system bandwidth is divided into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs). A BWP is a continuous set of PRBs selected from a continuous subset of common RBs for a given parameter set on a given carrier. Generally, up to four BWPs can be specified in both the downlink and uplink. That is, a UE can be configured with up to four BWPs on the downlink and up to four BWPs on the uplink. At a given time, only one BWP (either uplink or downlink) can be active, which means that the UE can only receive or transmit through one BWP at a time. On the downlink, the bandwidth of each BWP should be equal to or greater than the bandwidth of the SSB, but it can contain or not contain the SSB.

[0097] Reference Figure 4B , the UE uses the primary synchronization signal (PSS) to determine subframe / symbol timing and the physical layer identity. The UE uses the secondary synchronization signal (SSS) to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine the PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the positioning of the aforementioned DL-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrying the MIB can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form the SSB (also known as SS / PBCH). The MIB provides the number of RBs in the downlink system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not sent through the PBCH such as system information blocks (SIBs), and paging messages.

[0098] The Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) carries Downlink Control Information (DCI) within one or more Control Channel Elements (CCEs). Each CCE includes one or more groups of Resource Element Groups (REGs) (which may span multiple symbols in the time domain). Each REG group includes one or more REGs, and each REG corresponds to 12 resource elements (one resource block) in the frequency domain and one OFDM symbol in the time domain. The physical resource set used to carry PDCCH / DCI is referred to as a Control Resource Set (CORESET) in NR. In NR, the PDCCH is restricted to a single CORESET and is transmitted together with its own DMRS. This enables UE-specific beamforming for the PDCCH.

[0099] In Figure 4B the example, there is one CORESET per BWP, and the CORESET spans three symbols in the time domain. Different from the LTE control channel that occupies the entire system bandwidth, in NR, the PDCCH channel is localized to a specific region in the frequency domain (i.e., the CORESET). Therefore, Figure 4B the frequency components of the PDCCH shown in

[0100] are illustrated as being less than a single BWP in the frequency domain. Note that although the shown CORESET is continuous in the frequency domain, it is not required. Additionally, the CORESET may span fewer than three symbols in the time domain.

[0101] PRS and other types of positioning reference signals are used in multiple cellular network-based positioning techniques. Such positioning techniques include downlink-based, uplink-based, and downlink- and uplink-based positioning methods. Downlink-based positioning methods include Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) in LTE, Downlink Time Difference of Arrival (DL-TDOA) in NR, and Downlink Angle of Departure (DL-AoD) in NR. During an OTDOA or DL-TDOA positioning procedure, the UE measures the difference between the time of arrival (ToA) of reference signals (e.g., PRS, TRS, NRS, PTRS, CSI-RS, SSB, etc.) received from base stations, called the Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD) or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurement, and reports them to a positioning entity (e.g., UE, positioning server, serving base station, or other network components). More specifically, the UE receives the identifiers of a reference base station (e.g., serving base station) and multiple non-reference base stations in the assistance data. Then, the UE measures the RSTD between the reference base station and each non-reference base station. Based on the known positioning of the involved base stations and the RSTD measurements, the positioning entity can estimate the UE's positioning. For DL-AoD positioning, the base station measures the angle and other channel characteristics (e.g., signal strength) of the downlink transmission beam used to communicate with the UE to estimate the UE's positioning.

[0102] Uplink-based positioning methods include Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UL-TDOA) and Uplink Angle of Arrival (UL-AoA). UL-TDOA is similar to DL-TDOA but is based on uplink reference signals (e.g., SRS) transmitted by the UE. For UL-AoA positioning, the base station measures the angle and other channel attributes (e.g., gain level) of the uplink reception beam used to communicate with the UE to estimate the UE's positioning.

[0103] Downlink- and uplink-based positioning methods include Enhanced Cell ID (E-CID) positioning and Multi-Round Trip Time (RTT) positioning (also known as "Multi-Cell RTT"). During the RTT process, an initiator (base station or UE) sends an RTT measurement signal (e.g., PRS or SRS) to a responder (UE or base station), and the responder sends back an RTT response signal (e.g., SRS or PRS) to the initiator. The RTT response signal includes the difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal and the transmission time of the RTT response signal, which is called the Received-to-Transmitted (Rx-Tx) measurement. The initiator calculates the difference between the transmission time of the RTT measurement signal and the ToA of the RTT response signal, which is called the "Tx-Rx" measurement. The propagation time (also known as "time of flight") between the initiator and the responder can be calculated from the Tx-Rx and Rx-Tx measurements. Based on the propagation time of light and the known speed, the distance between the initiator and the responder can be determined. For multi-RTT positioning, the UE performs the RTT process on multiple base stations so that its positioning can be triangulated based on the known positions of the base stations. The RTT and multi-RTT methods can be combined with other positioning techniques (such as UL-AoA and DL-AoD) to improve positioning accuracy.

[0104] The E-CID positioning method is based on Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. In E-CID, the UE reports the serving cell ID, Timing Advance (TA), and the identifiers, estimated timing, and signal strength of the detected neighboring base stations. Then, the UE's positioning is estimated based on this information and the known positions of the base stations.

[0105] To assist the positioning operation, a positioning server (e.g., positioning server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) can provide the UE with assistance data. For example, the assistance data can include the identifier of the base station (or the cell / TRP of the base station) from which it measures the reference signal, reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning subframes, the periodicity of the positioning subframes, the silence sequence, the frequency hopping sequence, the reference signal identifier (ID), the reference signal bandwidth, etc.) and / or other parameters applicable to a specific positioning method. Alternatively, the assistance data can directly originate from the base station itself (e.g., in a periodically broadcast overhead message, etc.). In some cases, the UE is able to detect the neighboring network nodes itself without using the assistance data.

[0106] Location estimation may be referred to by other names, such as position estimation, positioning, location, position lock, lock, etc. Location estimation may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude), or may be civic and include a street address, postal address, or some other verbal description of the location. Location estimation may also be defined relative to some other known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possibly altitude). Location estimation may include an expected error or uncertainty (e.g., by including the area or volume expected to include the location at a specified or default confidence level).

[0107] Figure 5 is a diagram of an exemplary physical layer process 500 for processing PRS transmitted on multiple beams in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. At stage 510, a network (e.g., location server 230 or LMF 270, SLP 272) configures a given base station (e.g., gNB) to transmit beamformed PRS to one or more UEs in the coverage area of a cell supported by the base station. The PRS configuration may include multiple instances of PRS that beam scan in all directions of each cell at the full transmit power of each beam. In Figure 5 the example, the base station transmits PRS on a first beam (“beam 1”) at a first time (“time = 1”), transmits PRS on a second beam (“beam 2”) at a second time (“time = 2”), and so on, until on an Nth beam (“beam N”) at an Nth time (“time = N”), where N is an integer from 1 to 128 (i.e., for a single cell, there can be up to 128 beams). The illustrated beams may be for a particular cell supported by the base station, and the base station may beam sweep PRS for each of the cells it supports. The base station may use a single antenna or antenna array for beam scanning, in which case that antenna or antenna array transmits each beam (beams 1 to N). Alternatively, the base station may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays for beam scanning, in which case each antenna or antenna array transmits one or more of beams 1 to N.

[0108] At 520, a given UE monitors all cellular cells that it has been configured by the network to monitor and that are configured to transmit PRS across the configured instances. Several PRS instances / occasions may be needed to allow the UE to detect a sufficient number of cells for positioning (due to the time it takes for the UE to tune its radio from one cell to another and then monitor that cell). The UE measures the channels across all cells that the UE has been configured to search for PRS, specifically the channel energy response (CER) and ToA.

[0109] At 530, the UE prunes the CER on the cell to determine the ToA of the PRS beam. At 540, the ToA can be used to estimate the location of the UE, for example, using OTDOA / DL-TDOA, RTT, DL-AoD, etc. If the UE already has a base station almanac (BSA), then the UE can estimate its position based on the ToAs. Alternatively, if the UE reports the ToA to the network, the network can estimate the position of the UE.

[0110] There is a significant increase in complexity between positioning in LTE and positioning in NR. In LTE, each base station (e.g., eNB) can configure PRS resources only every 'T' ms. In contrast, in NR, each base station (e.g., gNB) can configure 'X' PRS resources (i.e., X PRS beams) every 'T' ms. For FR2, 'X' can be a value up to 128, for FR1 time division duplex (TDD) (e.g., China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC)) can be a value up to eight, or for FR1 FDD (e.g., T-Mobile E-911) can be a value of 1 or 2. Additionally, in LTE, the FFT size is 2K, while in NR, the FFT size is 8K (to allow four-fold interpolation). Additionally, in LTE, each PRS resource has 16 RE / PRB (specifically, 8 symbols with comb-6). However, in NR, for each PRS resource there are 36 RE / PRB, and the potential worst-case scenario can be six symbols times six RE / symbol. Therefore, the potential worst-case increase in complexity between LTE and NR can be greater than 1000 times.

[0111] Also adding to the complexity of NR positioning, there are at least 4,096 downlink PRS sequence identifiers (IDs) available for a given PRS transmission. Such downlink PRS sequences are generated using a Gold sequence generator as defined in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.211, section 5.2.1, which is publicly available and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. QPSK modulation can be used for downlink PRS signals transmitted using CP-OFDM. The sequence of the PRS changes in each OFDM symbol (in the time domain), and multiple downlink PRS resources can appear (at different frequencies) in the same OFDM symbol.

[0112] The following table illustrates the differences / similarities between the code initialization formulas for generating sequences for various physical channels. As shown in Table 2, the sequence generation for downlink PRS resources is similar to the sequence generation for other downlink PHY reference signals such as CSI-RS.

[0113]

[0114] Table 2

[0115] In some cases, the maximum number of resources that can be shared between different types of downlink reference signals can be specified as UE capabilities. For example, the maximum number of CSI-RS resources for RRM and reference signal SINR (RS-SINR) measurements at all measurement frequencies per time slot can be specified. As another example, the maximum number of SSB and CSI-RS resources (sum of aperiodic / periodic / semi-persistent resources) on all component carriers configured to measure layer 1 RSRP (L1-RSRP) within a time slot can be specified. Note that L1-RSRP is a signal strength measurement for a specific beam and is used for beam management (BM). As yet another example, the maximum number of RE mapping modes supported by the UE can be specified, where each mode can be described as resources (including non-zero power (NZP) and / or zero power (ZP) CSI-RS and CRS, CORESET, and SSB, and bitmaps). Note that such modes can be counted per symbol per component carrier.

[0116] Most of the complexity in downlink PRS resource processing involves descrambling with the correct sequence, which can be performed in a hardware block shared among other downlink reference signals such as CSI-RS resources. Therefore, the present disclosure proposes jointly considering the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources as UE capabilities.

[0117] In one aspect, a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) may transmit capability information to a serving TRP and / or a positioning server (e.g., positioning server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272), the capability information indicating the maximum combined number of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources that the UE is capable of processing per unit time. That is, the UE indicates the maximum number of resources it can process per unit time, and this maximum number of resources will be used for both CSI-RS resources and PRS resources. Note that the maximum number of resources that the UE is capable of processing per unit time means that the UE has the hardware capabilities (e.g., number of receivers, processing system speed, etc.) to process per unit time or has otherwise been configured (e.g., by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), standard compliance, etc.) to process the maximum number of resources per unit time. Thus, in other words, the maximum number of resources that the UE is capable of processing per unit time is the maximum number of resources that the UE is configured to process per unit time.

[0118] The number of CSI-RS resources per unit time can be defined for each component carrier (i.e., the number of CSI-RS resources per component carrier), or across all component carriers (i.e., the number of CSI-RS resources across all component carriers), or both (i.e., the number of CSI-RS resources per component carrier across all component carriers, up to the maximum number of CSI-RS resources). The number of CSI-RS resources can include the following types of CSI-RS: (1) CSI-RS for RRM only, (2) CSI-RS for RRM and radio link management (RLM), or (3) all types of CSI-RS resources (e.g., RRM, RLM, CSI, TRS, BM).

[0119] The number of PRS resources per unit time can be defined per frequency layer within a component carrier (i.e., the number of PRS resources per frequency layer per component carrier), across all frequency layers within a component carrier (i.e., the number of PRS resources across all frequency layers per component carrier), or across all frequency layers across all component carriers (i.e., the number of PRS resources across all frequency layers across all component carriers).

[0120] Note that a frequency layer is a set of PRS resources within a component carrier configured over multiple TRPs. The UE does not require a measurement gap to measure PRS resources within a particular frequency layer, as the PRS resources within a particular frequency layer are expected to have the same center frequency. However, the UE will require a measurement gap to measure PRS resources within other frequency layers.

[0121] The time unit can be defined as, for example, an OFDM symbol, a time slot, a subframe, or a frame. As a specific example, the UE can specify that it can handle a maximum combination of up to two CSI-RS and PRS resources per OFDM symbol, but not more than 10 CSI-RS and PRS resources per time slot. Thus, if the UE is configured to measure two CSI-RS and PRS resources per OFDM symbol, the UE can measure two CSI-RS resources per OFDM symbol, two PRS resources per OFDM symbol, or one CSI-RS resource and one PRS resource per OFDM symbol. Then, the UE will only be configured to measure CSI-RS and PRS resources in five symbols per time slot, as it measures two CSI-RS and PRS resources per symbol and can only measure up to 10 CSI-RS and PRS resources per time slot.

[0122] The serving TRP configures CSI-RS resources for the UE, and the positioning server (e.g., positioning server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) configures PRS resources for the UE. Thus, the serving TRP and the positioning server need to coordinate the allocation of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources within the maximum values specified by the UE. In this way, the UE's capabilities for handling CSI-RS and PRS resources need to be notified to the serving TRP and the positioning server. However, if the UE only notifies one entity, such as the positioning server (e.g., via the LTE positioning protocol (LPP)), then that entity needs to notify the other entity of the UE's capabilities.

[0123] More specifically, signaling / handshaking / coordination / negotiation is required between the positioning server and the serving TRP. As a first example, if the positioning server does not know the UE's capabilities, it can ask the serving TRP (e.g., via the LTE positioning protocol A (LPPa) or the NR positioning protocol A (NRPPA)) about the maximum number of PRS resources it can configure for the UE of that particular TRP. The serving TRP can respond based on the reported UE capabilities (e.g., via LPPa or NRPPA). Specifically, in this example, the serving TRP can subtract the CSI-RS resources it has already configured for the UE from the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources received from the UE, and provide the number of the remaining resources to the positioning server. Then, the positioning server can configure PRS resources for the UE up to the remaining resource amount.

[0124] As a second example, if the positioning server knows the UE's capabilities (from the UE via LPP or from the serving TRP via LPPa / NRPPA), the positioning server can ask the serving TRP about the number of CSI-RS resources it has configured for the UE. The serving TRP can respond with that number, and the positioning server can calculate the number of remaining resources that can be allocated to PRS based on the maximum number from the UE and the number of CSI-RS resources from the serving TRP. The positioning server can also send a PRS configuration for the UE to the serving TRP.

[0125] Note that in some cases, such as handover, the serving TRP may not have allocated the entire set of CSI-RS resources, or may not have allocated any CSI-RS resources. However, it may not want to indicate to the positioning server that the positioning server can allocate the remaining resources to PRS, because the new serving TRP (i.e., the target of the handover) will need to allocate CSI-RS resources for the UE. Thus, the current serving TRP can report to the positioning server a quantity that can more indicatively predict the CSI-RS resources to be allocated rather than the quantity of CSI-RS resources actually allocated / configured at this time.

[0126] In some cases, a greater number of CSI-RS resources and PRS resources than the reported capabilities may be utilized to configure the UE. In such cases, the applicable standard may specify that it is not expected that the UE meet the performance requirements of the PRS and / or CSI-RS (e.g., as specified by a positioning server, an application running on the UE that requests position locking). For example, the UE may discard (i.e., omit processing thereof) PRS resources to meet the maximum number of CSI-RS and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time. The UE may discard PRS resources because typically CSI-RS has a higher priority than PRS.

[0127] In one aspect, the UE may report (e.g., via LPP) to the positioning server that it is unable to process some PRS resources. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may report identifiers of unprocessed PRS resources, or identifiers of time slots, subframes, frames, and / or occasions where PRS processing was omitted.

[0128] Figure 6 An exemplary method 600 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is illustrated. Method 600 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein).

[0129] At 610, the UE transmits capability information that indicates a maximum number of downlink resources for both PRS resources and downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process (or is configured to process) per unit time. Operation 610 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, the processing system 332, the memory component 340, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 342, any one or all of which may be considered components for performing this operation.

[0130] At 620, the UE receives a configuration of one or more downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals from a serving TRP (e.g., a TRP supported by any of the base stations described herein), where the number of one or more downlink resources is less than the maximum number. Operation 620 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, the processing system 332, the memory component 340, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 342, any one or all of which may be considered components for performing this operation.

[0131] At 630, the UE receives a configuration of one or more PRS resources for a serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, from a network entity (e.g., a positioning server such as positioning server 230, LMF 270), where the number of one or more PRS resources is less than the maximum number. Operation 630 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, the processing system 332, the memory component 340, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 342, any one or all of which may be considered a component for performing this operation.

[0132] Figure 7 FIG. illustrates an exemplary method 700 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Method 700 may be performed by a serving TRP (e.g., a TRP supported by any base station described herein) of a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0133] At 710, the serving TRP receives capability information indicating the number of downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE is capable of processing (or is configured to process) per unit time, where the UE is capable of processing up to the maximum number of downlink resources for PRS resources and downlink resources of second downlink signals per unit time. Operation 710 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 350, the processing system 384, the memory component 386, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 388, any one or all of which may be considered a component for performing this operation.

[0134] At 720, the serving TRP configures one or more downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals, where the number of one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the number of downlink resources for second downlink signals received in the capability information. Operation 720 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 350, the processing system 384, the memory component 386, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 388, any one or all of which may be considered a component for performing this operation.

[0135] Figure 8 FIG. illustrates an exemplary method 800 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Method 800 may be performed by a network entity (e.g., positioning server 230, LMF 270, SLP 272) participating in a positioning session with a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs described herein).

[0136] At 810, the positioning server receives capability information indicating the number of PRS resources that the UE is capable of processing (or is configured to process) per unit time, where the UE is capable of processing up to a maximum number of both PRS resources and downlink resources per unit time for one or more second downlink channels or signals. Operation 810 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 390, the processing system 394, the memory component 396, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 398, any one or all of which may be considered components for performing this operation.

[0137] At 820, the positioning server configures one or more PRS resources for the serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, where the number of one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the number of PRS resources received in the capability information. Operation 820 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 390, the processing system 394, the memory component 396, and / or the PRS / CSI-RS resource manager 398, any one or all of which may be considered components for performing this operation.

[0138] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a variety of different technologies and techniques may be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above specification may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0139] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0140] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0141] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. The software module may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0142] In one or more exemplary aspects, the described functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks generally reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0143] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects of the present disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or acts of the method claims in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Moreover, although elements of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is also covered unless expressly stated to be limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method performed by a user equipment UE, comprising: Sending capability information to a serving transmit - receive point TRP or a network entity, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time; Receiving, from the serving transmit - receive point TRP, a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the combined maximum number; and Receiving, from the network entity, a configuration of one or more PRS resources for the serving TRP, one or more adjacent TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the combined maximum number.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more second downlink channels or signals include one or more non - zero power NZP channel state information reference signals CSI - RS, one or more zero power ZP CSI - RS, one or more NZP cell - specific reference signals CRS, ZP CRS, one or more control resource sets CORESET, one or more synchronization signal blocks SSB, or any combination thereof, and The one or more downlink resources include one or more NZP CSI - RS resources, one or more ZP CSI - RS resources, one or more NZP CRS, one or more ZP CRS, one or more CORESET, one or more SSB, or any combination thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The one or more downlink resources are for radio resource management RRM, radio link management RLM, tracking reference signal TRS, beam management BM, layer 1 reference signal received power L1 - RSRP measurement, or any combination thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The unit time includes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbols, time slots, mini - slots, sub - frames, or frames.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The capability information indicating the combined maximum number of downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time includes that the capability information indicates that the downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time are each component carrier that the UE can tune to, all component carriers that the UE can tune to, or both.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The capability information indicating the combined maximum number of downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time includes that the capability information indicates that the PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time are each frequency layer within each component carrier that the UE can tune to, all frequency layers within each component carrier that the UE can tune to, all frequency layers on all component carriers that the UE can tune to, or any combination thereof.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The sum of the number of the one or more PRS resources and the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the joint maximum number of downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The sum of the number of the one or more PRS resources and the number of the one or more downlink resources is greater than the joint maximum number of downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: Based on the sum of the number of the one or more PRS resources and the number of the one or more downlink resources being greater than the joint maximum number of downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time, avoid processing a subset of the one or more PRS resources, such that the UE only processes up to the joint maximum number of downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Send an indication to the network entity that the UE is unable to process all of the one or more PRS resources.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The indication includes an identifier of the subset of the one or more PRS resources, an OFDM symbol, a time slot, a subframe, a frame, or an identifier of a PRS occasion in which the subset of the one or more PRS resources is transmitted, or any combination thereof.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The UE participates in a positioning session with the network entity, the serving TRP, and the one or more neighboring TRPs.

13. A wireless communication method performed by a serving transmit-receive point TRP of a user equipment UE, comprising: Receiving capability information from the UE or from a positioning server participating in a positioning session with the UE, the capability information indicating the joint maximum number of downlink resources of both the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time; And Configuring for the UE one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the joint maximum number.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Determining the number of PRS resources by subtracting the number of the one or more downlink resources from the joint maximum number, and Sending the number of PRS resources to a positioning server participating in a positioning session with the UE.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: Send the quantity of the one or more downlink resources to a positioning server participating in a positioning session with the UE, so that the positioning server can configure one or more positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for the serving transmission reception point (TRP) and one or more neighboring TRPs, where the quantity of the one or more PRS resources is less than the joint maximum quantity of the downlink resources of both the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and the PRS resources per unit time.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: the one or more second downlink channels or signals include one or more non-zero power non-zero power (NZP) channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), one or more zero power (ZP) CSI-RS, one or more NZP cell-specific reference signals (CRS), ZP CRS, one or more control resource sets (CORESET), one or more synchronization signal blocks (SSB), or any combination thereof, and the one or more downlink resources include one or more NZP CSI-RS resources, one or more ZP CSI-RS resources, one or more NZP CRS, one or more ZP CRS, one or more CORESET, one or more SSB, or any combination thereof.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein The one or more downlink resources are used for radio resource management (RRM), radio link management (RLM), tracking reference signal (TRS), beam management (BM), or any combination thereof.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The unit time includes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, time slots, subframes, or frames.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The capability information indicating the quantity of the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time includes that the capability information indicates that the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals that the UE can process per unit time are each component carrier that the UE can tune to, all component carriers that the UE can tune to, or both.

20. A wireless communication method performed by a network entity participating in a positioning session with a user equipment (UE), comprising: Receiving capability information from the UE or from a serving transmission reception point (TRP) of the UE, the capability information indicating a joint maximum quantity of the downlink resources of both the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal (PRS) resources that the UE can process per unit time; and Configuring, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for the serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, where the quantity of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the joint maximum quantity.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: Send the quantity of the one or more PRS resources to the serving TRP, such that the serving TRP can configure one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the quantity of the one or more downlink resources is less than the combined maximum quantity of the downlink resources for both the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and the PRS resources per unit time.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The one or more second downlink channels or signals include one or more non-zero power NZP channel state information reference signals CSI-RS, one or more zero power ZP CSI-RS, one or more NZP cell-specific reference signals CRS, ZP CRS, one or more control resource sets CORESET, one or more synchronization signal blocks SSB, or any combination thereof, and The one or more downlink resources include one or more NZP CSI-RS resources, one or more ZP CSI-RS resources, one or more NZP CRS, one or more ZP CRS, one or more CORESET, one or more SSB, or any combination thereof.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The one or more downlink resources are for radio resource management RRM, radio link management RLM, tracking reference signal TRS, beam management BM, or any combination thereof.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The unit time includes orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM symbols, time slots, subframes, or frames.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein The capability information indicating the quantity of PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time includes that the capability information indicates that the PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time are each frequency layer within each component carrier that the UE can tune to, all frequency layers within each component carrier that the UE can tune to, all frequency layers within all component carriers that the UE can tune to, or any combination thereof.

26. A user equipment UE, comprising: A memory; At least one transceiver; And At least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: Cause the at least one transceiver to send capability information to a serving transmit-receive point TRP or a network entity, the capability information indicating the combined maximum quantity of the downlink resources for both the downlink resources of the one or more second downlink channels or signals and the positioning reference signal PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time; Receive, via the at least one transceiver, a configuration of the one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the quantity of the one or more downlink resources is less than the combined maximum quantity; and Receiving, via the at least one transceiver, a configuration of one or more positioning reference signal (PRS) resources for the serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the combined maximum number.

27. A serving transmit-receive point (TRP) comprising: A memory; At least one transceiver; And At least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor being configured to: Receive, via the at least one transceiver, capability information from a user equipment (UE) or from a positioning server participating in a positioning session with the UE, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time; And Configure, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the combined maximum number.

28. A network entity comprising: A memory; At least one network interface; And At least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one network interface, the at least one processor being configured to: Receive, via the at least one network interface, capability information from a UE or from the serving TRP of the UE, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time; And Configure, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for the serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the combined maximum number.

29. A user equipment (UE) comprising: Means for sending capability information to a serving TRP or a network entity, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and PRS resources that the UE can process per unit time; Means for receiving, from the serving TRP, a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the combined maximum number; and Means for receiving, from the network entity, a configuration of one or more PRS resources for the serving TRP, one or more neighboring TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the combined maximum number.

30. A serving transmit-receive point (TRP) comprising: A component that receives capability information from a UE or from a positioning server participating in a positioning session with the UE, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal (PRS) resources that the UE can process per unit time; And A component that configures, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the combined maximum number.

31. A network entity, comprising: A component that receives capability information from a UE or from a serving transmit-receive point (TRP) of the UE, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal (PRS) resources that the UE can process per unit time; And A component that configures, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for the serving transmit-receive point (TRP), one or more adjacent TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the combined maximum number.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions including: At least one instruction that instructs a UE to send capability information to a serving transmit-receive point (TRP) or a network entity, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal (PRS) resources that the UE can process per unit time; At least one instruction that instructs the UE to receive a configuration of one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals from the serving transmit-receive point (TRP), wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than the combined maximum number; and At least one instruction that instructs the UE to receive a configuration of one or more PRS resources for the serving TRP, one or more adjacent TRPs, or both from the network entity, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than the combined maximum number.

33. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions including: At least one instruction that instructs a serving transmit-receive point (TRP) to receive capability information from a UE or from a positioning server participating in a positioning session with the UE, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for both downlink resources of one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal (PRS) resources that the UE can process per unit time; And At least one instruction that instructs the serving transmit-receive point (TRP) to configure, for the UE, one or more downlink resources for the one or more second downlink channels or signals, wherein the number of the one or more downlink resources is less than or equal to the combined maximum number.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions including: at least one instruction that instructs a network entity to receive capability information from a UE or from a serving transmit-receive point (TRP) of the UE, the capability information indicating a combined maximum number of downlink resources for one or more second downlink channels or signals and positioning reference signal (PRS) resources that the UE is capable of processing per unit time; and at least one instruction that instructs the network entity to configure, for the UE, one or more PRS resources for a serving transmit-receive point (TRP), one or more adjacent TRPs, or both, wherein the number of the one or more PRS resources is less than or equal to the combined maximum number.

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