UE positioning signal transmission during disconnected or inactive state

Abstract

A method for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning includes: obtaining a plurality of SRS transmission parameters at a user equipment (UE); and transmitting the SRS for positioning from the UE according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state or in an inactive state relative to a communication network.

Description

[0001] background

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved over several generations, including first generation analog wireless telephone service (1G), second generation (2G) digital wireless telephone service (including transitional 2.5G networks), third generation (3G) high-speed data wireless service with Internet capabilities, fourth generation (4G) service (e.g., LTE (Long Term Evolution) or WiMax), fifth generation (5G) service, etc. There are many different types of wireless communication systems in use today, including cellular and personal communications service (PCS) systems. Examples of known cellular systems include the 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 access (GSM) TDMA variants, etc.

[0003] The fifth generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables higher data transmission speeds, a greater number of connections, and better coverage, among 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, and 1 gigabit per second to dozens of employees on an office floor. Hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections should be supported to support large wireless sensor deployments. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. In addition, signaling efficiency should be improved and latency should be significantly reduced compared to the current standard.

[0004] Overview

[0005] An example method for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning includes: obtaining a plurality of SRS transmission parameters at a user equipment (UE); and transmitting the SRS for positioning from the UE according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state or in an inactive state relative to a communication network.

[0006] Implementation of such a method may include one or more of the following features. The method includes: receiving, by a UE, an indication from a communication network that triggers transmission of an SRS for positioning from the UE. The unconnected state includes a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode or an RRC inactive mode, and the inactive state includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode. The multiple SRS transmission parameters include: a transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting an SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting an SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof. Obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: receiving one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in response to a request from the UE for transmission of a sounding reference signal. Obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: receiving one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal when the UE is in an unconnected state relative to the communication network. Obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: receiving the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also includes downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information. Obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters includes receiving the one or more configuration parameters from a communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, implementation of such a method may include one or more of the following features. Obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: when the UE is connected to the communication network, determining, by the UE, at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS. Obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: if there is a disconnected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network, then determining each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the received disconnected configuration parameter; or if no appropriate disconnected configuration parameter is received, then determining each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the connected configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, implementation of such a method may include one or more of the following features. The method includes: suppressing transmission of any signal from the UE in the frequency band of the SRS for positioning within a first protection time before the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or within a second protection time after the end of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination thereof. Transmitting the SRS for positioning includes: transmitting a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols for a period of time greater than the maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols allowed for transmission of SRS resources for positioning during connected communications between the UE and the communication network. The beginning portion of a set of multiple consecutive symbols of the SRS for positioning is used as a cyclic prefix for the remainder of another set of multiple consecutive symbols of the SRS for positioning.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of such methods may include one or more of the following features. Obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters includes: the UE randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting a pilot sequence to be used to transmit the SRS for positioning. Transmitting the SRS for positioning includes: transmitting the SRS for positioning using a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from a communication network. The downlink reference signal includes an SSB (synchronization signal block) or a PRS (positioning reference signal).

[0010] An example UE includes: a memory; a transceiver; and a processor, which is communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver and is configured to: obtain multiple sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission parameters; and transmit SRS for positioning from the UE according to the multiple SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state or an inactive state relative to a communication network.

[0011] Implementation of such UE may include one or more of the following features. The processor is configured to transmit an SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication of triggering the transmission of an SRS for positioning from the UE via a transceiver from the communication network. The unconnected state includes a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode or an RRC inactive mode, and the inactive state includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode. The multiple SRS transmission parameters include: a transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in response to a request from the UE for the transmission of a sounding reference signal. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for the transmission of a sounding reference signal when the UE is in an unconnected state relative to the communication network. To obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also contains downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information. To obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of such UEs may include one or more of the following features. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: determine at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS when the UE is connected to the communication network. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: if there is a disconnected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network, then determine each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the received disconnected configuration parameter; or if no appropriate disconnected configuration parameter is received, then determine each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the connected configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of such UEs may include one or more of the following features. The processor is configured to: suppress transmission of any signal in the frequency band of the SRS for positioning via the transceiver within a first protection time before the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or within a second protection time after the end of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination thereof. The processor is configured to: transmit the SRS for positioning by: transmitting a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols for a length greater than the maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols allowed for transmission of SRS resources for positioning during connected communications between the UE and the communication network. The processor is configured to: use the beginning portion of the SRS for positioning having multiple consecutive symbols as a cyclic prefix of the remainder of another set of SRS for positioning having multiple consecutive symbols.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of such UEs may include one or more of the following features. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to randomly or pseudo-randomly select a pilot sequence to be used to transmit an SRS for positioning. In order to transmit an SRS for positioning, the processor is configured to select a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from a communication network to transmit the SRS for positioning. The downlink reference signal includes an SSB (synchronization signal block) or a PRS (positioning reference signal).

[0015] Another example UE includes: a device for obtaining a plurality of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission parameters; and a device for transmitting the SRS for positioning according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state or in an inactive state relative to a communication network.

[0016] Implementation of such UE may include one or more of the following features. The device for transmitting an SRS for positioning is used to transmit the SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication from a communication network that triggers the transmission of the SRS for positioning from the UE. The unconnected state includes a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode or an RRC inactive mode, and the inactive state includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode. The multiple SRS transmission parameters include: a transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof. The device for obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: a device for receiving one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in response to a request from the UE for the transmission of a sounding reference signal. The device for obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes: a device for receiving one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for the transmission of a sounding reference signal when the UE is in an unconnected state relative to the communication network. The means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: means for receiving the one or more configuration parameters from a communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also contains downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information. The means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: means for receiving the one or more configuration parameters from a communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that is dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of such UEs may include one or more of the following features. The means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters includes: means for determining at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS when the UE is connected to a communication network. The means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters includes means for the following operations: if there is a disconnected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network, then each of the plurality of SRS transmission parameters is determined based on the received disconnected configuration parameter; or if no appropriate disconnected configuration parameter is received, then each of the plurality of SRS transmission parameters is determined based on the connected configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, an implementation of such a UE may include one or more of the following features. The UE includes: a device for suppressing the transmission of any signal in the frequency band of the SRS for positioning within a first protection time before the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or within a second protection time after the end of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination thereof. The device for transmitting the SRS for positioning includes: a device for transmitting a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols for a length greater than the maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols allowed for the transmission of SRS resources for positioning during connected communications between the UE and the communication network. The UE includes a device for using the beginning portion of the SRS for positioning having multiple consecutive symbols as a cyclic prefix of the remainder of another set of SRS for positioning having multiple consecutive symbols.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, implementations of such UE may include one or more of the following features. The means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters includes: means for randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting a pilot sequence to be used to transmit an SRS for positioning. The means for transmitting an SRS for positioning includes: means for selecting a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from a communication network. The downlink reference signal includes an SSB (synchronization signal block) or a PRS (positioning reference signal).

[0020] An example non-transitory processor-readable storage medium includes processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a user equipment (UE) to perform the following operations: obtain multiple sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission parameters; and transmit an SRS for positioning from the UE according to the multiple SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state or in an inactive state relative to a communication network.

[0021] Implementation of such storage media may include one or more of the following features. These instructions are configured to cause the processor to transmit an SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication from a communication network that triggers the transmission of an SRS for positioning from a UE. The unconnected state includes a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode or an RRC inactive mode, and the inactive state includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode. The multiple SRS transmission parameters include: a transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting an SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting an SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in response to a request from the UE for the transmission of a sounding reference signal. In order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for the transmission of a sounding reference signal when the UE is in an unconnected state relative to the communication network. To obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also contains downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information. To obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, implementation of such storage medium may include one or more of the following features. In order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: determine at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS when the UE is connected to the communication network. In order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: determine each of the plurality of SRS transmission parameters based on the received non-connected configuration parameter if there is a non-connected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a non-connected state relative to the communication network; or if no appropriate non-connected configuration parameter is received, determine each of the plurality of SRS transmission parameters based on the connected configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, the implementation of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features. These instructions are configured to cause the processor to: suppress the transmission of any signal in the frequency band of the SRS for positioning within a first protection time before the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or within a second protection time after the end of transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination thereof. These instructions are configured to cause the processor to: transmit the SRS for positioning by the following operations: transmit a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols for a length greater than the maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols allowed for the transmission of SRS resources for positioning during the connected communication between the UE and the communication network. These instructions are configured to cause the processor to: use the starting portion of the SRS for positioning with multiple consecutive symbols as the cyclic prefix of the remainder of another set of SRS for positioning with multiple consecutive symbols.

[0024] Additionally or alternatively, an implementation of such a storage medium may include one or more of the following features. In order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: randomly or pseudo-randomly select a pilot sequence to be used to transmit an SRS for positioning. In order to transmit an SRS for positioning, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: select a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from a communication network to transmit the SRS for positioning. The downlink reference signal includes an SSB (synchronization signal block) or a PRS (positioning reference signal). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system is illustrated.

[0027] Figure 2A Another example wireless network structure is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 2B Another example wireless network structure is illustrated.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a commentary Figure 1 A block diagram of an example apparatus.

[0030] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure for use in a wireless telecommunication system.

[0031] Figure 5 is a signal flow diagram for connecting user equipment to a transmission / reception point.

[0032] Figure 6 is another signal flow diagram for connecting user equipment to a transmit / receive point.

[0033] Figure 7 It is a flowchart of a method for transmitting a positioning signal.

[0034] Figure 8 is a signal and process flow diagram for transmitting positioning signals.

[0035] Fig. 9 It is a table of positioning signal index and corresponding configuration parameters.

[0036] Fig.10 is a simplified diagram of a symbol used to transmit a sounding reference signal before or after a guard interval.

[0037] Detailed Description

[0038] This article discusses the technology for establishing transmission parameters for transmitting positioning signals from a user equipment (UE) when the UE is in a disconnected or inactive state. For example, the UE may receive one or more configuration parameters when it is in a disconnected state and / or when it is in a connected state (e.g., from a transmit / receive point (TRP)). One or more configuration parameters may be transmitted to the UE by the TRP and may be common to multiple UEs, and / or one or more configuration parameters from the TRP may be dedicated to the UE and obtained when the UE is connected to the TRP (e.g., in RRC connected and DRX active mode). The UE may use one or more configuration parameters as one or more transmission parameters, and / or may use one or more configuration parameters to determine one or more transmission parameters. The UE may also or alternatively obtain one or more transmission parameters from measurements made when the UE is connected to the TRP and / or connected to another TRP. The UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning according to the transmission parameters, for example, transmitting the SRS for positioning according to the transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected or inactive state. However, these techniques are examples and are not exhaustive.

[0039] The items and / or technologies described herein may provide one or more of the following capabilities and other capabilities not mentioned. A positioning signal may be transmitted by a UE when the UE is out of a connected state relative to a communication network or is in a connected but inactive state. The pilot sequence used to transmit the SRS for positioning may be randomized, which may help avoid conflicts between signals sent by adjacent UEs receiving the same positioning signal configuration parameters. Unintended transmission of one or more SRSs for positioning by the UE at the transmit / receive point may be avoided, thereby saving energy for the UE. Other capabilities may be provided, and not every implementation according to the present disclosure must provide any of the capabilities discussed, let alone all of the capabilities. In addition, it may be possible to achieve the above-mentioned effects in an unspecified manner, and the noted items / techniques may not necessarily produce the noted effects.

[0040] The information and signals described below may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the following description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc.

[0041] Many features are described in the form of a sequence of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. Each action described herein can be performed by a dedicated circuit (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of the two. Additionally, the sequence of actions described herein may be considered to be fully embodied in any form of non-transient processor-readable storage medium having stored therein a corresponding processor-readable instruction set that, upon execution, will cause or instruct an associated processor of a device to perform the functionality described herein. Thus, the various features of the present disclosure may be implemented in a number of different forms, all of which fall within the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0042] As used herein, the terms "user equipment" (UE) and "base station" are not intended to be dedicated to or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT), unless otherwise specified. In general, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, a router, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a consumer asset tracking device, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, glasses, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) head-mounted device, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., a car, a motorcycle, a bicycle, etc.), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) used by a user to communicate on a wireless communication network. A 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 an "access terminal" or "AT", "client device", "wireless device", "subscriber equipment", "subscriber terminal", "subscriber station", "user terminal" or UT, "mobile terminal", "mobile station", or variations 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 other UEs. Of course, other mechanisms for connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UE, such as through a wired access network, a wireless local area network (WLAN) network (eg, based on IEEE 802.11, etc.), and the like.

[0043] A base station may operate according to one of several RATs when in communication with a UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and may be referred to alternatively as an access point (AP), a network node, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a new radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as a gNB or gNodeB), etc. In addition, in some systems, a base station may provide pure edge node signaling functions, while in other systems, a base station may provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link by which a UE may send a signal to a base station is referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). The communication link by which a base station may send a signal to a UE is referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) may refer to a UL / reverse or DL / forward traffic channel.

[0044] The term "base station" may refer to a single physical transmit receive point (TRP) or may refer to multiple physical TRPs that may or may not be co-located. For example, where the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be a base station antenna corresponding to a cell of the base station. Where the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be an antenna array of a base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). Where the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may 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 may be a serving base station that receives measurement reports from a UE and a neighbor base station for which the UE is measuring a reference RF signal. Since the TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives wireless signals, as used herein, references to transmissions from or receptions at a base station should be understood as references to the specific TRP of that base station.

[0045] 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 may transmit a single "RF signal" or multiple "RF signals" to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver may receive multiple "RF signals" corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same RF signal transmitted on different paths between a transmitter and a receiver may be referred to as a "multipath" RF signal.

[0046] Reference Figure 1, the example wireless communication system 100 includes components as shown. 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). The macro cell base stations may include 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.

[0047] Each base station 102 may collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or a next generation core (NGC)) through a backhaul link 122, and interface to one or more location servers 172 through the core network 170. The location server 172 may be configured to communicate directly with one or more UEs. In addition to other functions, the base station 102 may also perform functions related to the delivery of 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 equipment tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and one or more of the delivery of alert messages. The base stations 102 may communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through EPC / NGC) on a backhaul link 134, which may be wired or wireless.

[0048] Base station 102 may communicate wirelessly with UE 104. Each base station 102 may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. One or more cells may be supported by base station 102 in each coverage area 110. A "cell" is a logical communication entity used to communicate with a base station (e.g., on a certain frequency resource, which is referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID), a virtual cell identifier (VCID)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine type communication (MTC), narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access to different types of UEs. Since a cell is supported by a specific base station, the term "cell" may refer to either or both of a logical communication entity and a base station supporting the logical communication entity, depending on the context. In some cases, the term “cell” may also refer to a geographic coverage area (eg, a sector) of a base station, in the sense that a carrier frequency may be detected and used for communications within some portion of geographic coverage area 110 .

[0049] Although the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macrocell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in a handoff region), some geographic coverage areas 110 may be substantially overlapped by a larger geographic coverage area 110. For example, a small cell base station 102' may have a coverage area 110' that substantially overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macrocell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell and macrocell base stations may be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include a home eNB (HeNB), which may provide service to a restricted group referred to as a closed subscriber group (CSG).

[0050] The communication link 120 between the base station 102 and the UE 104 may include UL (also known as reverse link) transmissions from the UE 104 to the base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmissions 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 be over one or more carrier frequencies. The allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL).

[0051] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 in communication with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or the WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the channel is available before communicating.

[0052] The small cell base station 102' may operate in a 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' employing LTE / 5G in the unlicensed spectrum may boost coverage and / or increase 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.

[0053] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate in mmW frequencies and / or near mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of RF in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 mm and 10 mm. The radio waves in this band may be referred to as millimeter waves. Near mmW can be extended downward to a 3 GHz frequency with a wavelength of 100 mm. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, which is also referred to as centimeter waves. Communications using mmW / near mmW radio frequency bands have high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming (transmitting and / or receiving) on ​​the mmW communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. In addition, it will be appreciated that in an alternative configuration, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near mmW and beamforming for transmission. The foregoing explanation is by way of example and does not limit the description or the claims.

[0054] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing an RF signal in a specific direction. Conventionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, the network node broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thereby providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to the receiving device. In order to change the directionality of the RF signal when transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of the one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the RF signal. For example, a network node can use an antenna array (referred to as a "phased array" or "antenna array") that generates a beam of RF waves, and the beam of the RF wave can be "guided" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to the individual antennas in the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate antennas are added together in the desired direction to increase the radiation, and canceled in the undesired direction to suppress the radiation.

[0055] The transmit beams can be quasi-colocated, which means that they appear to the receiver (e.g., UE) to have the same parameters, regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes themselves are physically colocated. In NR, there are four types of quasi-colocation (QCL) relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about the second reference RF signal on the second beam can be derived from information about the source reference RF signal on the source beam. Therefore, 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 may use the source reference RF signal to estimate spatial reception parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0056] In receive beamforming, a receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, a receiver may increase the gain setting of an antenna array and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., increase its gain level) the RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when a receiver is referred to as beamforming in a certain direction, this means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain in that direction for 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.) for the RF signal received from that direction.

[0057] The receive beams may be spatially correlated. The spatial relationship means that the parameters of the transmit beam for the second reference signal may be derived from information about the receive beam for the first reference signal. For example, the UE may use a particular receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE may then form a transmit beam based on the parameters of the receive beam for sending an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to the base station.

[0058] Note that depending on the entity forming the "downlink" beam, the beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam. For example, if the base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to the UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if the UE is forming a downlink beam, the downlink beam is a receive beam for receiving downlink reference signals. Similarly, depending on the entity forming the "uplink" beam, the beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam. For example, if the base station is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink receive beam, and if the UE is forming an uplink beam, the uplink beam is an uplink transmit beam.

[0059] 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 a carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) utilized by the UE 104 / 182 and on the cell in which the UE 104 / 182 performs an initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates an RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common control channels and UE-specific control channels, and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2), which can be configured once an RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and which 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 may contain only necessary signaling information and signals, for example, signaling information and signals that are UE-specific may not be present in the secondary carrier, because both the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell may have different downlink primary carriers. This is also true for the uplink primary carrier. The network is able to change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. For example, this is done to balance the load on different carriers. Since a "serving cell" (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier that a base station is using for communication, the terms "cell", "serving cell", "component carrier", "carrier frequency", etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0060] For example, still referring to Figure 1 , one of the frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 may be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies utilized by the macrocell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 may be secondary carriers ("SCells"). 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, two 20 MHz aggregated carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a two-fold increase in data rate (i.e., 40 MHz) compared to the data rate achieved by a single 20 MHz carrier.

[0061] The wireless communication system 100 may further include one or more UEs (such as UE 190) that are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) or peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 (side link) with one UE 104 connected to one base station 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity therefrom), and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity therefrom). In an example, the D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can use any well-known D2D RAT (such as LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), etc.) to support.

[0062] The wireless communication system 100 may further include a UE 164, which may communicate with the macrocell base station 102 over the communication link 120 and / or communicate with the mmW base station 180 over the mmW communication link 184. For example, the macrocell base station 102 may support a PCell and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164.

[0063] Figure 2A An example wireless network structure 200 is illustrated. For example, NGC 210 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally viewed as control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway functions, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which operate in coordination to form a core network. User plane interface (NG-U) 213 and control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB 222 to NGC 210, in particular to control plane functions 214 and user plane functions 212. In an additional configuration, eNB 224 can also be connected to NGC 210 via NG-C 215 to control plane functions 214 and NG-U 213 to user plane functions 212. In addition, eNB 224 can communicate directly with gNB 222 via backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include both one or more eNBs 224 and one or more gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or the eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1204). A location server 230 may be included that may be in communication with the NGC 210 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively may each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may be connected to the location server 230 via the core network, the NGC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). In addition, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively may be external to the core network.

[0064] Figure 2B Another example wireless network structure 250 is illustrated. For example, the NGC 260 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) / user plane function (UPF) 264, and a user plane function provided by a session management function (SMF) 262, which operate in coordination to form a core network (i.e., NGC 260). The user plane interface 263 and the control plane interface 265 connect the eNB 224 to the NGC 260, in particular to the SMF 262 and the AMF / UPF 264, respectively. In an additional configuration, the gNB 222 can also be connected to the NGC 260 via a control plane interface 265 to the AMF / UPF 264 and a user plane interface 263 to the SMF 262. In addition, the eNB 224 can communicate directly with the gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223, whether or not there is gNB direct connectivity with the NGC 260. In some configurations, the new RAN 220 may have only one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include both one or more eNBs 224 and one or more gNBs 222. The gNB 222 or the eNB 224 may communicate with the UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The base station of the new RAN 220 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF / UPF 264 through the N2 interface, and communicates with the UPF side of the AMF / UPF 264 through the N3 interface.

[0065] The functions of AMF include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, session management (SM) messaging between UE204 and SMF 262, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, short message service (SMS) messaging between UE 204 and short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). AMF also interacts with authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204, and receives intermediate keys established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), AMF retrieves security materials from AUSF. The functions of AMF also include security context management (SCM). SCM receives keys from SEAF, which are used by SCM to derive keys that vary from access network to access network. The functionality of the AMF also includes location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between the UE 204 and the location management function (LMF) 270 and between the new RAN 220 and the LMF 270, allocation of EPS bearer identifiers for interworking with the Evolved Packet System (EPS), and notification of mobility events for the UE 204. In addition, the AMF also supports the functionality of non-3GPP access networks.

[0066] The functions of the UPF include: acting as an anchor point 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, user plane quality of service (QoS) handling (e.g., UL / DL rate enforcement, reflective QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (mapping of service data flows (SDFs) to QoS flows), transport level packet marking in UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding one or more "end markers" to the source RAN node.

[0067] The functions of SMF 262 include session management, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering for routing traffic to the correct destination at UPF, control of part of policy implementation and QoS, and downlink data notification. The interface through which SMF 262 communicates with the AMF side of AMF / UPF 264 is called the N11 interface.

[0068] An LMF 270 may be included that may be in communication with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance for the UE 204. The LMF 270 may be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or may alternatively each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which may be connected to the LMF 270 via the core network, the NGC 260, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated).

[0069] Figure 3 Several example components (represented by 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 location server 230 and an LMF 270) are illustrated to support file transfer operations as taught herein. It will be appreciated that these components may be implemented in different types of devices (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system on a chip (SoC), etc.) in different implementations. The illustrated components may also be incorporated into other devices in a communication system. For example, other devices in the system may include components similar to those described to provide similar functionality. In addition, a given device may include one or more of these 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.

[0070] UE 302 and base station 304 each include at least one wireless communication device (represented by communication devices 308 and 314 (and also represented by communication device 320 if base station 304 is a relay) for communicating with other nodes via at least one designated RAT. For example, communication devices 308 and 314 (e.g., transceivers) may be connected to wireless communication link 360 (which may correspond to Figure 1Each communication device 308 includes at least one transmitter (represented by transmitter 310) for transmitting and encoding signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) and at least one receiver (represented by receiver 312) for receiving and decoding signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Similarly, each communication device 314 includes at least one transmitter (represented by transmitter 316) for transmitting signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) and at least one receiver (represented by receiver 318) for receiving signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.). If the base station 304 is a relay station, each communication device 320 may include at least one transmitter (represented by transmitter 322) for transmitting signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) and at least one receiver (represented by receiver 324) for receiving signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.).

[0071] The transmitter and receiver may include a transceiver that may be an integrated device (e.g., a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit implemented as a single communication device) in some implementations, may include a separate transmitter device and a separate receiver device in some implementations, or may be implemented in other ways in other implementations. The wireless communication device (e.g., one of the multiple wireless communication devices) of the base station 304 may also include a network listening module (NLM) for performing various measurements, etc.

[0072] The network entity 306 (and the base station 304, if the base station 304 is not a relay station) includes at least one communication device (represented by the communication device 326 and optionally by the communication device 320) for communicating with other nodes. For example, the communication device 326 may include a device configured to communicate via a wired or wireless backhaul 370 (which may correspond to Figure 1 The communication device 326 may be implemented as a transceiver configured to support wired or wireless signal communication, and the transmitter 328 and the receiver 330 may be an integrated unit. The communication may involve, for example, sending and receiving: messages, parameters, or other types of information. Accordingly, in Figure 3 In the example of , the communication device 326 is shown to include a transmitter 328 and a receiver 330. Alternatively, the transmitter 328 and the receiver 330 may be separate devices within the communication device 326. Similarly, if the base station 304 is not a relay station, the communication device 320 may include a network interface configured to communicate with one or more network entities 306 via a wire-based or wireless backhaul 370. Like the communication device 326, the communication device 320 is shown to include a transmitter 322 and a receiver 324.

[0073] The apparatuses 302, 304 and 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the file transfer operations disclosed herein. The UE 302 includes a processing system 332 for providing, for example, functionality related to the UE operations disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functionality. The base station 304 includes a processing system 334 for providing, for example, functionality related to the base station operations as described herein, and for providing other processing functionality. The network entity 306 includes a processing system 336 for providing, for example, functionality related to the network function operations as described herein, and for providing other processing functionality. The apparatuses 302, 304 and 306 include memory components 338, 340 and 342 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 350 for providing indications (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) to the user 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, devices 304 and 306 may also include a user interface.

[0074] Referring to the processing system 334 in more detail, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 may be provided to the processing system 334. The processing system 334 may implement functionality for the RRC layer, the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer. The processing system 334 may provide RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting 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), inter-RAT mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, cipher decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with transmission of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through 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 functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0075] The transmitter 316 and the receiver 318 may implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 316 handles 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 coded and modulated symbols may then be split into parallel streams. Each stream may then be mapped to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator may be used to determine coding and modulation schemes and for spatial processing. The channel estimates may be derived from reference signals and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 302. Each spatial stream may then be provided to one or more different antennas 314 of a communication device 314. A transmitter 316 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0076] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives the signal through its corresponding antenna of communication device 308. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 332. Transmitter 310 and receiver 312 implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial stream destined for UE 302. If there are multiple spatial streams destined for UE 302, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by receiver 312. Receiver 312 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, as well as the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the signal constellation point most likely transmitted by base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. These soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted on the physical channel by the base station 304. These data and control signals are then provided to the processing system 332 that implements layer 3 and layer 2 functionality.

[0077] In the UL, the processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, cipher decoding, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0078] Similar to the functionality described in conjunction with DL transmissions performed by the base station 304, the processing system 332 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) capture, RRC connection, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with transmission of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with 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 through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0079] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by base station 304 may be used by transmitter 310 to select appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by transmitter 310 may be provided to different antenna(s). Transmitter 310 may modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0080] UL transmissions are processed at base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at UE 302. Receiver 318 receives the signal through its corresponding antenna(s). Receiver 318 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to processing system 334.

[0081] In the UL, the processing system 334 provides demultiplexing between transport channels and logical channels, packet reassembly, cipher decoding, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. The IP packets from the processing system 334 may be provided to the core network. The processing system 334 is also responsible for error detection.

[0082] Devices 302, 304, and 306 may include location managers 344, 348, and 358, respectively. Location managers 344, 348, and 358, respectively, may be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to processing systems 332, 334, and 336, respectively, which, when executed, cause devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functionality described herein. Alternatively, location managers 344, 348, and 358, respectively, may be memory modules stored in memory components 338, 340, and 342, respectively, which, when executed by processing systems 332, 334, and 336, cause devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functionality described herein.

[0083] For convenience, devices 302, 304 and / or 306 are Figure 3 308, the bandwidth handling capability of the communication device 308, the processing capability of the processing system 332, etc.), the UE 302 can be a low-end UE or a high-end UE.

[0084] The various components of devices 302, 304, and 306 may communicate with each other via data buses 352, 354, and 356, respectively. Figure 3 The components of can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figure 3The components of may be implemented in one or more circuits, such as, for example, one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs (which may include one or more processors). Here, each circuit may use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide this functionality. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 308, 332, 338, 344, and 350 may be implemented by the processor(s) 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 functionality represented by blocks 314, 320, 334, 340, and 348 may be implemented by the processor(s) and memory components of the base station 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriately configuring the processor components). Furthermore, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 326, 336, 342, and 358 may be implemented by the processor(s) 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 a UE," "by a base station," "by a positioning entity," etc. However, as will be appreciated, such operations, actions, and / or functions may actually be performed by a specific component (such as the processing systems 332, 334, 336, the communication devices 308, 314, 326, the positioning managers 344, 348, and 358, etc.) or a combination of components of the UE, base station, positioning entity, etc.

[0085] Various frame structures may be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between a network node (eg, a base station) and a UE. Figure 4 An example of a frame structure 400 is illustrated. The frame structure used for any particular application may be different depending on any number of factors. Figure 4 , time is represented horizontally (e.g., on the X-axis), where time increases from left to right, and frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on the Y-axis), where frequency increases (or decreases) from bottom to top. In the time domain, a frame 410 (e.g., 10 ms) can be divided into 10 equally sized subframes 420 (e.g., 1 ms each) as shown here. In this example, each subframe 420 includes two consecutive time slots 430 (0.5 ms each).

[0086] A resource grid may be used to represent two time slots 430, each of which includes one or more resource blocks (RBs) 440 (also referred to as "physical resource blocks" or "PRBs" in the frequency domain). In NR, a resource block 440 contains 12 consecutive subcarriers 450 in the frequency domain, and for a normal cyclic prefix (CP) in each OFDM symbol 460, contains 14 consecutive OFDM symbols 460 in the time domain. A resource (represented as a block of a resource grid) of one OFDM symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain is called a resource element (RE). Thus, in NR, a resource block 440 contains 12 consecutive subcarriers 450 in the frequency domain, and for a normal cyclic prefix (CP) in each OFDM symbol 460, contains 14 consecutive OFDM symbols 460 in the time domain. A resource (represented as a block of a resource grid) of one OFDM symbol length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain is called a resource element (RE). Figure 4 In the example of FIG. 4 , there are 168 resource elements in resource block 440 .

[0087] LTE, and in some cases NR, utilizes OFDM on the downlink and single carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike 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 450, which are also often referred to as frequency modulation, frequency bins, etc. Each subcarrier 450 can be modulated with data. In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain for OFDM and in the time domain for SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers 450 can be fixed, and the total number (K) of subcarriers 450 can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the spacing of subcarriers 450 can be 15kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers 450 (or 180kHz). Thus, for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), the nominal FFT size may be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. The system bandwidth may also be partitioned into subbands. For example, a subband may cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there may be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0088] Continue to refer Figure 4 , some of the resource elements (REs) (indicated as R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7) include reference signals, such as reference signals for positioning (such as SRS for positioning). The SRS for positioning can be transmitted according to transmission parameters, which can be obtained (e.g., determined) from one or more UE-common configuration parameters and / or one or more UE-specific configuration parameters and / or one or more measurements as discussed herein. The number of bits carried by each resource element depends on the modulation scheme. Thus, the more resource blocks 440 transmitted by a UE and the higher the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate of the UE.

[0089] UE can Figure 4 A radio frame (e.g., radio frame 410) or other physical layer signaling sequence supporting SRS for positioning may be transmitted using a frame configuration similar to or the same as the frame configuration shown in , which may be measured and used to determine a position estimate for a UE (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0090] The set of resource elements used to transmit SRS is called "SRS resources". The set of resource elements can span multiple RBs in the frequency domain and can span M (e.g., one or more) consecutive codewords 460 within a time slot 430 in the time domain. In a given OFDM codeword 460, the SRS resource occupies consecutive RBs. The SRS resource is described by at least the following parameters: SRS resource identifier (ID), sequence ID, comb size N, resource element offset in the frequency domain, starting time slot and starting codeword, number of codewords per SRS resource (i.e., duration of SRS resource), and QCL information. Currently, one antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers carrying SRS in each codeword. For example, a comb size of -4 means that every fourth subcarrier of a given codeword carries SRS. In Figure 4 In the example shown in , the SRS resources are interleaved, where REs R0-R3 and REs R4-R7 use the same total bandwidth but have different subcarriers in different symbols (here REs R0-R3 are each offset by one RE from REs R4-R7).

[0091] An "SRS resource set" is a set of SRS resources used for transmission of an SRS signal, wherein each SRS resource has an SRS resource ID. In addition, the SRS resources in the SRS resource set are associated with the same UE. The SRS resource set is identified by the SRS resource set ID. The SRS resource ID in the SRS resource set is associated with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from the UE. That is, each SRS resource in the SRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam.

[0092] An "SRS opportunity" is an example of a periodically repeating time window (eg, a group of one or more consecutive time slots) in which an SRS is expected to be transmitted. An SRS opportunity may also be referred to as an "SRS positioning opportunity," "positioning opportunity," or simply an "opportunity."

[0093] Note that the terms "sounding reference signal" and "SRS" may sometimes refer to a specific reference signal used for positioning in an LTE system. Although the discussion herein refers to sounding reference signals for positioning and SRS for positioning, the discussion may be applied to other types of positioning signals.

[0094] Connecting UE to TRP

[0095] refer to Figure 5, and further reference Figure 1-3 , TRP 501 (eg, of base station 304) and UE 502 (eg, UE 302) are configured to communicate with each other according to signal flow 500 to establish a connection between UE 502 and a communication network (eg, including TRP 501) Figure 1 501 and the core network 170). Signal flow 500 is a four-step process for connecting TRP 501 and UE 502 using RACH (random access channel). Once connected, UE 502 and TRP 501 can exchange unicast messages. Signal flow 500 can be followed to transition from a non-connected state of UE 502 (i.e., UE 502 is out of a connected state with a communication network, such as through and including TRP 501) to a connected state. For example, signal flow 500 can be followed when UE 502 is powered on or awakened from sleep, or when it is desired to transition from an RRC idle state (RRC idle mode) or an RRC inactive state (RRC inactive mode) to an RRC connected state. In the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state, UE 502 is not connected.

[0096] At stage 510 of signal flow 500, TRP 501 sends synchronization information in SSB message and SIB1 synchronization information block. TRP 501 broadcasts SSB and SIB1 message. UE 502 (via communication device 308, in particular receiver 312) receives SSB and identifies SIB1 message from SSB. UE 502 receives SIB1 message from TRP 501 via communication device 308.

[0097] Based on the SIB1 message, the UE 502 determines one or more transmission parameters of the RACH preamble sequence to be sent to the TRP 501 at stage 511 in the first message MSG1. The UE 502 (e.g., the processing system 332) selects the RACH preamble sequence and determines the RO (e.g., which may occur periodically, e.g., every 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, 160ms) for transmitting the RACH preamble based on the mapping of the SSB to the RACH opportunity (RO). For example, the UE 502 may determine that the RACH preamble is to be sent at the next (in time) RACH opportunity. The RO is the time / frequency opportunity for the UE 502 to transmit the RACH preamble. There are different RACH preamble formats, and corresponding different RO sizes. Due to the reciprocity of the antenna, the UE 502 may determine which receive (Rx) beam best receives the synchronization signal (e.g., SSB) and selects the corresponding transmit (Tx) beam to transmit the RACH preamble. If reciprocity is available at TRP 501, UE 502 may transmit MSG1 once, otherwise the MSG1 message may be repeated for each of the TRPTx beams. UE 502 may be configured to use the PRACH (Physical RACH) to send the first message MSG1.

[0098] The TRP 501 is configured to respond to the MSG1 message sent at stage 511 (also referred to as step 1) by sending a response or second message MSG2 at stage 512 (also referred to as step 2). The response message MSG2 can be a random access response (RAR) UL grant sent by the TRP 501 using the PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel) with the selected Tx beam. The second message MSG2 acknowledges the reception of the first message MSG1 and can provide some collision avoidance information. Based on the messages MSG1, MSG2, the TRP 501 and the UE 502 can establish a coarse beam alignment that can be used in stages 513, 514 discussed below.

[0099] UE 502 is configured to receive response message MSG2 and respond at stage 513 (also referred to as step 3) by sending a third message MSG3 using resources scheduled by TRP 501. TRP 501 thus knows where to detect the third message MSG3 and which TRP Rx beam should be used to detect the third message MSG3. UE 502 may be configured to send the third message MSG3 using the same or a different beam than the beam used by UE 502 to send the first message MSG1, using PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel).

[0100] In stage 514 (also referred to as step 4), TRP 501 confirms the reception of the third message MSG3 by sending a fourth message MSG4 in PDSCH using the TRP Tx beam determined in stage 512. At this point, UE 502 has identified the synchronization between TRP 501 and UE 502, has identified resources for transmission and reception, and is connected to the communication network (through and including TRP501), that is, is in a connected state (RRC connected state).

[0101] Also refer to Figure 6 , TRP 601 (eg, of base station 304) and UE 602 (eg, UE 302) are configured to communicate with each other according to signal flow 600 to establish a connection between UE 602 and a communication network (eg, including TRP 601) Figure 1 The signal flow 600 is a two-step process of connecting the TRP 601 and the UE 602 using the RACH (Random Access Channel). The signal flow 600 is actually Figure 5 6. In stage 610, UE 602 receives SSB and SIB1. In stage 611 (step 1 in the two-step process), UE 602 sends an initial message MSGA after receiving SSB and S1B1. The initial message MSGA uses both PRACH and PUSCH. In stage 612 (step 2 in the two-step process), TRP 601 sends a response message MSGB to UE 602 to connect UE 602 to TRP 601.

[0102] Transmission of positioning signals from UE

[0103] Reference Figure 7 , and further refer to Figure 1-6 , the method 700 for transmitting a positioning signal includes the stages shown. However, the method 700 is only an example and not a limitation. The method 700 can be modified, for example, by adding, removing, rearranging, combining, executing concurrently, and / or splitting a single stage into multiple stages.

[0104] Method 700 provides a technique for transmitting an SRS for positioning (possibly including multiple SRSs for positioning signals) from a UE, for example, when the UE is in a non-connected or inactive state. At stage 711, the method includes obtaining multiple transmission parameters at the UE. The SRS transmission parameters can be used for transmission of an SRS for positioning from the UE, including when the UE is not connected to a communication network or is in an inactive state (e.g., connected but inactive). For example, the UE 302 can obtain one or more configuration parameters, which the UE 302 will use as one or more transmission parameters to control how the UE 302 will transmit (e.g., broadcast) one or more SRSs for positioning when the UE 302 is in a non-connected state (i.e., outside a connected state) or in an inactive state. At stage 712, the method 700 includes transmitting an SRS for positioning from the UE according to the multiple SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in a non-connected state or in an inactive state relative to the communication network. For example, the UE 302 can transmit an SRS for positioning when the UE 302 is in a non-connected or inactive state and when the transmission parameters are applied. In the unconnected state, the UE is unconnected to the communication network (not connected to the communication network or not synchronized with the communication network), has no active BWP (bandwidth part), and cannot use unicast transmission to transmit information to the communication network or receive information from the communication network. Examples of unconnected states include RRC idle defined in 3GPP and RRC inactive defined in 3GPP. The inactive state can be a DRX (discontinuous reception) inactive state (e.g., a short cycle DRX mode or a long cycle DRX mode). In the inactive state, the UE is connected to (e.g., connected to by RRC) the network and is in a reduced functional sleep mode relative to the active state, for example, so that the UE is not required to monitor the downlink channel (e.g., PDCCH (physical downlink control channel)). In the inactive state (e.g., RRC inactive), signaling and power consumption can be reduced relative to the active state, while facilitating the rapid recovery of the active state, because the UE is connected to the network in the inactive state. For example, not monitoring the downlink channel can help save battery power. In the inactive state, the UE may not be required to provide and the UE may not provide a channel quality report. In the inactive state, the UE can store access stratum context, can read system information (SI), can perform RNA (RAN Notification Area) updates, can apply DRX for paging, can monitor PDCCH DCI (Downlink Control Information) using P-RNTI (Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier), and can monitor PCCH (Paging Control Channel) for CN (Core Network) paging using 5G-S-TMSI (SAE TMSI (System Architecture Evolution Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity)) and for RAN paging using I-RNTI (Inactive RNTI). Figure 8 Example details of method 700 are discussed.

[0105] The UE may obtain transmission parameters in various ways. For example, when the UE 302 is in a non-connected state, the UE 302 may receive one or more configuration parameters common to multiple UEs from the TRP. As another example, the UE 302 may receive one or more configuration parameters specific to the UE 302 from the TRP when the UE 302 is connected to the TRP (e.g., in RRC connected and DRX active mode). As another example, the UE 302 may make one or more measurements (or receive one or more indications of one or more measurements) on one or more signals. The UE 302 may determine the transmission parameters from the configuration parameters and / or the measurements. For example, the configuration parameters may indicate a receive beam, and the UE 302 may select a transmit beam corresponding to the receive beam to transmit an SRS for positioning. As another example, the UE 302 may use a received signal power measurement to determine the transmit power for transmitting an SRS for positioning.

[0106] refer to Figure 8 , and further refer to Figure 1-7 , the signal and process flow 800 for transmitting the positioning signal includes the stages shown. However, the flow 800 is only an example and is not limiting. The flow 800 can be modified, for example, by having stages added, removed, rearranged, combined, performed concurrently, and / or having a single stage split into multiple stages. For example, the signals (shown by arrows) or processes (shown by boxes) shown in dashed lines are optional and can be omitted. Although the same as stage 711 (see also Figure 7 ) are shown as optional, but will perform at least one feature (provide signal or process) corresponding to stage 711 shown in flow 800. As shown in flow 800, server 801, TRP 802 (e.g., base station 304), UE 803 (e.g., UE 302, such as Figure 1 ), and (for example, Figure 1 The TRP 804 of another base station 304 (ie, other than TRP 801) among the base stations shown in FIG. 8 is configured to communicate with each other according to the signal and processing flow 800 to implement an example of the method 700.

[0107] At stage 810, UE 803 may connect to TRP 802. For example, UE 803 and TRP 802 may be configured to perform flow 500 and / or flow 600, and UE 803 may be connected to a communication network through and including TRP 802 according to flow 500 or flow 600 as discussed above.

[0108] At stage 812, TRP 802 may send a positioning signal transmission acknowledgment to UE 803. For example, TRP 802 (e.g., processing system 334, communication device 314, and possible memory component 340) may be configured to send an indication of acknowledging UE 803 to transmit one or more positioning signals. The communication device 308 and processing system 332 of UE 803 (possibly in combination with memory component 338) may include means for receiving an indication of acknowledgment to transmit a positioning signal and means for transmitting an SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication of acknowledgment (e.g., triggering) to transmit a positioning signal (e.g., an SRS for positioning). The acknowledgment sent at stage 812 may indicate that UE 803 may transmit a positioning signal when UE 803 is not connected or is not active. Thus, Figure 7 The method 700 shown in can include UE 803 receiving the acknowledgment from TRP 802, which can approve or permit the UE to transmit a positioning signal when the UE is in a non-connected state (e.g., RRC idle or RRC inactive) or in an inactive state (e.g., RRC connected but inactive). The acknowledgment can be used as a trigger for transmitting an SRS for positioning. UE 803 can be configured not to transmit a positioning signal when UE 803 is not connected or inactive with the communication network unless UE 803 receives a transmission acknowledgment indication. Otherwise, UE 803 can transmit a positioning signal but TRP 802 may not listen to the positioning signal, thereby wasting the energy of UE 803 and unnecessarily congesting radio waves within the range of UE 803. UE 803 can be configured to transmit a positioning signal without an acknowledgment, but use the reception of the acknowledgment, for example, to enable or trigger one or more functions (e.g., positioning technologies such as RTT).

[0109] At stage 814, UE 803 may send a request for one or more configuration parameters that will be used to determine one or more transmission parameters that UE 803 is to use to transmit SRS for positioning when UE 803 is in a disconnected or inactive state (i.e., in a disconnected state or in an inactive state). Each of the configuration parameters is an indication of a characteristic of a signal (e.g., a positioning signal) transmitted between TRP 802 and UE 803, or a characteristic that controls the transmission of signals between TRP 802 and UE 803. For example, UE 803 (e.g., processing system 332, communication device 308, and possible memory component 338) may be configured to use RACH to send the request when UE 803 is in a disconnected state or when UE 803 is connected to TRP 802. Therefore, processing system 332, communication device 308, and possible memory component 338 may include means for sending the request (means for requesting (transmission parameters)). The transmission parameter(s) may be used to transmit one or more SRSs for positioning when the UE 803 is in a non-connected or inactive state. The request may request the TRP 802 to send one or more configuration parameters in a dual-purpose positioning SIB that also includes DLPRS (downlink positioning reference signal) information or in a dedicated positioning SIB for configuration parameters that will not include DL PRS information. Alternatively, the request may not specify whether the configuration parameters are to be sent in a dual-purpose SIB or a dedicated SIB, and the TRP 802 may be configured to respond to such an unspecified request by selecting whether the configuration parameter(s) are to be sent in a dual-purpose SIB or a dedicated SIB. The UE 803 may send the request as part of MSG1, MSG3, or MSGA, as described in relation to the respective MSG1, MSG3, or MSGA. Figure 5 and 6 The request may include one or more (UE-common) configuration parameters with specific transmission parameters, such as a bandwidth greater than a threshold bandwidth, a length greater than a threshold SRS resource length, etc. Since the TRP 802 may be configured to respond to the request by providing the requested configuration (as discussed below), the acquisition of the configuration parameters may be considered on-demand and / or the transmission parameters of the UE 803 for transmitting the SRS for positioning when the UE 803 is in a non-connected or inactive state may be considered on-demand. The request at stage 814 may be sent from the UE 803 when the UE 803 is in a non-connected state or in a connected state (i.e., RRC connected to the TRP 802).

[0110] At stage 816, TRP 802 may send a request for configuration parameters to server 801 (e.g., a network entity 306 such as LMF), and at stage 818, server 801 may send one or more configuration parameters to TRP 802 for relaying to UE 803. TRP 802 and / or server 801 may be configured to determine one or more configuration parameters for configuring one or more UEs to transmit SRS for positioning. In response to the request received at stage 816, or in the absence of a request, server 801 may provide one or more configuration parameters to TRP 802 at stage 818.

[0111] At stage 820, TRP 802 may provide one or more UE-general configuration parameters to UE 803 when UE 803 is in a disconnected state. TRP 802 (e.g., communication device 314 as controlled by processing system 334 and memory component 340) may broadcast the one or more UE-general configuration parameters. (These) parameters are UE-general because (these) parameters are sent for potential use by multiple UEs, not for a single UE, and therefore contain information that can be used by multiple UEs when configuring transmission parameters of SRS for positioning. The UE-general configuration parameters may be provided in response to the request sent by UE 803 at stage 814. The UE-general configuration parameters provided at stage 820 may include the approval discussed above with respect to stage 812. The approval may be explicit or implicit (e.g., the transmission of UE-general configuration parameters for use in determining one or more transmission parameters implies that TRP 802 approves the transmission of SRS for positioning when UE 803 is in a disconnected state or an inactive state). The configuration information sent at stage 820 may be provided in a broadcast channel, for example, may be a SIB that is a dual-purpose SIB or a dedicated SIB for providing configuration information. The configuration information provided at stage 820 may provide UE-generic configuration information as requested by UE 803 at stage 814 and any other UE from which TRP 802 receives a configuration parameter request.

[0112] At stage 822, TRP 802 may provide one or more UE-specific configuration parameters to UE 803 when UE 803 is connected to TRP 802. TRP 802 (e.g., communication device 314 as controlled by processing system 334 and memory component 340) may send UE-specific configuration parameters to UE 803 when UE 803 is connected to TRP 802 (e.g., in RRC connected and DRX active mode). Thus, TRP 802 may send UE-specific configuration parameters to UE 803 in unicast communication. As with UE-common configuration parameters, UE-specific configuration parameters may be provided in response to a request sent by UE 803 at stage 814 and may explicitly and / or implicitly include the approval discussed above with respect to stage 812. One or more of the UE-specific configuration parameters may be associated with one or more corresponding UE-common configuration parameters, for example, by a one-to-one mapping (e.g., by configuration, written into a specification, etc.). Both stages 820 and 822 are shown as optional by dotted lines, and TRP 802 may provide UE-common configuration information at stage 820 and UE-specific configuration information at stage 822, or provide only UE-common configuration information at stage 820 without providing UE-specific configuration information at stage 822, or provide only UE-specific configuration information at stage 822 without providing UE-common configuration information at stage 820, or provide neither UE-common configuration information at stage 820 nor UE-specific configuration information at stage 822.

[0113] The UE-common configuration parameters and / or UE-specific configuration parameters sent at stages 820, 822 may be tabulated. The configuration parameters may be tabulated to reduce the number of bits transmitted (reduce overhead), which may reduce congestion and / or reduce collisions, and save energy used to transmit the configuration parameters. Tabulating the configuration parameters encodes the configuration parameters so that a small number of bits are mapped to more information. It is possible for the configuration parameters to be used directly as transmission parameters, and / or to be used to determine transmission parameters (alone or in combination with one or more other configuration parameters). For example, Fig. 9As shown in , the configuration parameter table 900 includes an index field 910, a transmit (Tx) power field 911, a sequence field 912, a timing advance field 913, a guard field 914, a comb number field 915, a per-resource symbol field 916, a resource mapping field 917, an interleaving field 918, a slot index field 919, a symbol index field 920, a duration field 921, a group hopping field 922, a sequence hopping field 923, a scrambling ID field 924, a bandwidth (BW) field 925, a reference frequency field 926, a start PRB field 927, a frequency hopping field 928, a periodicity field 929, and a transmit (Tx) beam field 930. The Tx power field 911 indicates a value that can be used to determine the Tx power of the UE 803 for the SRS used for positioning. The sequence field 912 indicates a value that can be used to determine which Zadoff-Chu sequence to use for the SRS used for positioning. The timing advance field 913 may indicate a timing delay for transmission by the UE 803 to the TRP 802, which the UE 803 may use to apply to SRS resources for positioning. The guard field 914 indicates a guard time to be added to the SRS for positioning before and / or after each SRS for positioning. The comb number field 915 controls the comb type of the SRS for positioning. The resource mapping field 917 provides a mapping of UE-specific resources and UE-common resources. The interleaving field 918, which may be part of the resource mapping field 917, indicates whether REs are to be interleaved, and how to interleave if REs are to be interleaved (e.g., RE offsets between symbols). The interleaving field 918 may include a symbol index field 920. The slot index field 919 (which may be referred to as an offset field) indicates in which slot the transmission is to be made (or in which slot the transmission is to start). The symbol index field 920 indicates at which symbols in the time slot the SRS resources for positioning are to be transmitted (e.g., at which symbol in the time slot the SRS resources for positioning are to be transmitted). The duration field 921 indicates the time or number of symbols or other duration used to transmit the SRS resources for positioning. The group hopping field 922, the sequence hopping field 923, and the scrambling ID field 924 provide parameters for use in randomizing (e.g., by determining / selecting) the pilot sequence for delivering the SRS for positioning (e.g., as discussed in §5.2.2 of 3GPP TS 38.214 version 16, where u, v, and n in the specification are group hopping, sequence hopping, and scrambling ID, respectively, and u is a function of n). Randomizing the SRS for positioning resource sequences can help avoid collisions between signals sent by neighboring UEs that receive the same UE-common configuration information. The bandwidth field 925 can specify the total bandwidth for the SRS for positioning resources.The reference frequency field 926 indicates the reference frequency (which may be referred to as point A) and the start PRB field 927 indicates the starting frequency for the SRS for positioning resources (i.e., the first PRB for the SRS for positioning transmission) relative to the PRB number of the reference frequency. The reference frequency may be specified as subcarrier 0 of the common resource block 0. The frequency hopping field 928 may indicate whether to hop and how to hop if hopping (e.g., intra-slot hopping, inter-slot hopping, how many hops, hop size, etc.). The periodicity field 929 indicates the number of subframes in which to transmit, and may be expressed in terms of the number of subframes or in terms of time (e.g., ms). The Tx beam field 930 indicates which Tx beam the UE 803 should use to transmit the SRS for positioning. Table 900 is only an example, and other tables have other contents, e.g., more or fewer fields than shown, and / or omitting one or more fields in fields 911-930, and / or including one or more other fields.

[0114] In table 900, two indexes are shown, each having a value in index field 910, and each index includes a set of values ​​for fields 911-930 that correspond to (map to) the value of index field 910. In this example, the values ​​of fields 911-930 are generally shown, where the values ​​corresponding to index values ​​8 and 12 in index field 910 are generic values ​​of X-8 and X-12, respectively, where X represents the respective field. For example, the transmit power for index value 8 in Tx power field 911 has a generic value Tx-8 as indicated.

[0115] At stage 824, UE 803 may determine transmission parameters for use in transmitting SRS for positioning when UE 803 is not connected or inactive. The transmission parameters may include, for example, one or more of the following: a transmission beam to be used by UE 803, a transmission power, a pilot sequence, a timing advance, a guard time, a number of comb teeth, a number of symbols per resource, an indication of a starting frequency of a resource, a mapping of resources (e.g., frequency domain interleaving, no frequency domain interleaving, which symbols of a time slot are used for signal transmission), interleaving information (e.g., whether to interleave, one or more interleaving values ​​(e.g., offset)), etc. UE 803 may determine one or more transmission parameters using one or more UE-general configuration parameters received at stage 820, one or more UE-specific configuration parameters received at stage 822, information determined by UE 803 through signal (e.g., SSB) measurements, and / or information from one or more other sources (such as information received from neighbor TRP 804 at stage 825). At stage 825, UE 803 may obtain (configuration) information from TRP 804 for use in determining one or more transmission parameters. For example, UE 803 may determine a path loss reference (from a DL-PRS or SSB from TRP 804) and / or determine a spatialRelationInfo (spatial relationship information) value (from a DL-PRS or SSB from TRP 804). UE 803 (e.g., processing system 332, possibly in conjunction with memory component 338) may use the path loss reference to determine or help determine the transmit power for SRS used for positioning. UE 803 (e.g., processing system 332, possibly in conjunction with memory component 338) may use the spatialRelationInfo value to determine or help determine which Tx beam to use for SRS used for positioning.

[0116] UE 803 may use UE-common parameters and / or UE-specific parameters to determine one or more transmission parameters, for example, for transmitting SRS for positioning when UE 803 is not connected or inactive. For example, UE 803 may use any UE-common parameters as default parameters (e.g., any available UE-common parameters are used even if UE 803 has one or more corresponding UE-specific configuration parameters) to determine the transmission parameters. Therefore, when determining the transmission parameters, UE 803 may prioritize UE-common configuration parameters over UE-specific configuration parameters. Alternatively, UE 803 may use one or more UE-specific parameters obtained (received / determined) when UE 803 is connected to TRP 802, even if UE 803 receives one or more UE-common parameters corresponding to UE-specific parameters obtained when connected. That is, in determining the transmission parameters, UE 803 may prioritize UE-specific configuration parameters over UE-common configuration parameters. The UE 803 may prioritize UE-common parameters or UE-specific parameters based on which parameter is being considered, for example, prioritizing one or more UE-common parameters and prioritizing one or more other UE-specific parameters. The UE 803 may, for example, use UE-specific configuration parameters to determine transmission parameters for which the UE 803 does not have UE-common configuration parameters (e.g., for any transmission parameters that have not been determined using UE-common information). The processing system 332, possibly in conjunction with the memory component 338, may include means for determining transmission parameters based on UE-common parameters and / or UE-specific parameters.

[0117] If the UE 803 does not obtain the UE-specific configuration parameters for positioning when in a connected state, the UE 803 may determine one or more transmission parameters in various ways. For example, the UE 803 may determine the Tx beam to be used based on the mapping between the received downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB and / or DL-PRS signal) and the transmission parameter. In the unconnected state, the UE 803 may measure the downlink signal and find a receive beam associated with the reception of the downlink signal (e.g., a beam that best receives any of these signals (e.g., best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), best received power, and / or best signal-to-noise-interference ratio (SINR) etc.). There may be a one-to-one mapping, a many-to-one mapping, or a one-to-many mapping. If there is a one-to-one mapping, the UE 803 may use a Tx beam corresponding to an Rx beam that receives an SSB or DL-PRS signal. For many-to-one mapping, for example, there are multiple DL-PRSs and one SRS for positioning, and if any DL-PRS is received, the UE 803 will use the one available Tx beam that can be used to transmit the SRS for positioning. For one-to-many mapping, for example, there is only one DL-PRS, and if a signal is received through an Rx beam, the UE 803 may select an available Tx beam. The UE 803 may send a communication (e.g., one or more PRACH sequences) to the TRP 802 to notify the TRP 802 about which SRS for positioning resources UE 803 selects to transmit. This can help save energy by preventing TRP 802 from wasting energy to monitor available SRS for positioning resources other than those resources used by UE 803 (or other UEs) to transmit SRS for positioning resources. Information about the selected SRS for positioning resources can be conveyed in MSG1, MSG3, or MSGA discussed above.

[0118] As another example, UE 803 may determine a sequence for pilot signal transmission for SRS for positioning. For example, the UE may randomize the pilot sequence for SRS transmission, which may help reduce conflicts between multiple UEs that receive the same broadcast (UE-common) configuration parameters from TRP 802 and select to transmit SRS for positioning based on the received broadcast configuration parameters. UE 803 may, for example, determine the pilot sequence using the received values ​​of group hopping field 922 and sequence hopping field 923. As another example, UE 803 may randomly or pseudo-randomly select one or more values ​​of group hopping field 922, sequence hopping field 923, or scrambling ID 924. UE 803 may determine the pilot sequence using the determined (e.g., received, selected) values ​​of sequence hopping field 923 and scrambling ID 924, for example, according to the formula provided in 3GPP 38.214 specification version 16, the group hopping value being a function of the scrambling ID. The processing system 332 (possibly in conjunction with the memory component 338) may include means for randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting a pilot sequence to be used to transmit a positioning signal.

[0119] UE 803 may control the pilot sequence so that once determined, the sequence does not change between symbols, so that the SRS used for positioning will be mapped to the same subcarrier in consecutive symbols, because it is not desirable to stagger REs during unsynchronized communication. UE 803 may transmit the SRS used for positioning in a relatively large number of consecutive symbols (e.g., greater than the maximum number of consecutive symbols that can be used to transmit SRS resources during connected communication between UE 803 and TRP 802). For example, also refer to Fig.10, for a resource block of 14 symbols, the maximum number of consecutive symbols may be 12, and the UE 803 may transmit the SRS for positioning in the same RE (i.e., with the same set of subcarriers and no offset between symbols) in more than 12 consecutive symbols. In this example, the UE 803 transmits the SRS for positioning using subcarriers 1002 numbers 0, 3, 6, and 9 in 23 consecutive symbols 1004. The UE 803 may repeat a starting portion 1006 of a plurality of consecutive symbols of the SRS for positioning as an ending portion 1008 of a plurality of consecutive symbols of the SRS for positioning, so that the starting portion 1006 of a set having a plurality of consecutive symbols may be used as a cyclic prefix (CP) of an ending (remaining) portion 1008 of another set having a plurality of consecutive symbols of the SRS for positioning. For example, the starting portion 1006 may constitute approximately 10% (e.g., 5%-15%) of the SRS for positioning. The processing system 332 (possibly in combination with the memory component 338) and the communication device 308 (particularly the transmitter 310) may include means for transmitting positioning signals on the same set of resource elements on consecutive (OFDM) symbols for a period greater than the maximum number of consecutive symbols allowed during connected communications between the UE 803 and the communication network.

[0120] As another example, UE 803 may determine protection (also referred to as a protection interval) corresponding to the SRS used for positioning. When UE 803 is in a disconnected state, UE 803 will not be synchronized with TRP 802, and UE 803 may send the SRS used for positioning at a timing advance of 0. UE 803 may be configured to add a protection interval to the beginning and / or end of the SRS used for positioning resources, which may help prevent reception of the unsynchronized SRS used for positioning from interfering with subsequent subframes of localized UEs located at the edge of TRP 802. The protection before the start of transmission (e.g., the number of protection symbols) may be the same as or different from the protection after the end of transmission (e.g., the number of protection symbols). For example, as Fig.10 As shown in , UE 803 may have a guard interval 1009 of symbols 0-1 before an SRS for positioning transmission, may send an SRS for positioning in symbols 2-24, and may add a guard interval 1010 of symbols 25-28 after the SRS for positioning transmission and before sending another SRS for positioning. During the guard intervals 1009, 1010, UE 803 will refrain from transmitting any signal in the frequency band of the SRS for positioning.

[0121] In view of the above discussion, obtaining transmission parameters in stage 711 of method 700 may include obtaining transmission parameters in various ways. For example, the obtaining may include receiving one or more configuration parameters from a communication network (e.g., from TRP 802) in response to a request from UE 803. When UE 803 is in a non-connected state, the configuration parameters may be received from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also contains downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information or in a broadcast SIB message dedicated to non-connected configuration parameters. The SIB may be a positioning-specific SIB (posSIB). UE 803 may receive one or more UE-common parameters when in a non-connected state and / or receive one or more UE-specific parameters when connected (e.g., RRC connected and DRX active mode). UE 803 may use the UE-common configuration parameters as default parameters to determine the transmission parameters and use appropriate UE-specific configuration parameters to determine any transmission parameters for which the UE does not have UE-common configuration parameters. Processing system 332 (possibly in conjunction with memory component 338 and / or communication device 308) may include means for obtaining transmission parameters, including means for receiving configuration parameters.

[0122] In stage 826, UE 803 sends an SRS for positioning to TRP 802. For example, when UE 803 is in a disconnected state or an inactive state, UE 803 transmits one or more SRSs for positioning (i.e., one or more SRSs for positioning signals) to TRP 802. UE 803 transmits the SRS for positioning according to the transmission parameters obtained as discussed above. For example, in response to power-on, UE 803 may be in (e.g., enter) a disconnected state even if it has not been in a connected state. UE 803 may, for example, enter an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state, for example, after being in an RRC connected state. UE 803 may enter a disconnected state before obtaining one or more transmission parameters.

[0123] Other considerations

[0124] Other examples and implementations fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software and computers, the above functions can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, hard wiring or any combination thereof executed by a processor. The features that implement the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed so that the various parts of the functions are implemented at different physical locations. The statement that the feature implements the function, or the statement that the feature can implement the function includes that the feature can be configured to implement the function (for example, the statement that the project performs function X, or the statement that the project can perform function X includes that the project can be configured to perform function X). The elements discussed can be components of larger systems, in which other rules can take precedence over the application of the present invention or otherwise modify the application of the present invention. In addition, several operations can be taken before, during or after considering the elements or operations discussed above. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0125] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" also include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises", "having", "includes", and / or "contains" indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0126] Likewise, as used herein, "or" used in a list of items followed by "at least one of" or followed by "one or more of" indicates a disjunctive list, such that, for example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" or a list of "one or more of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB (A and B) or AC (A and C) or BC (B and C) or ABC (i.e., A and B and C), or a combination having more than one feature (e.g., AA, AAB, ABBC, etc.). Thus, a reference to an item (e.g., a processor) being configured to perform a function with respect to at least one of A or B means that the item may be configured to perform a function with respect to A, or may be configured to perform a function with respect to B, or may be configured to perform a function with respect to both A and B. For example, the phrase "the processor is configured to measure at least one of A or B" means that the processor may be configured to measure A (and may or may not be configured to measure B), or may be configured to measure B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or may be configured to measure A and measure B (and may be configured to select which or both of A and B to measure). Similarly, a statement that a device measures at least one of A or B includes: a device for measuring A (which may or may not be able to measure B), or a device for measuring B (and may or may not be configured to measure A), or a device for measuring A and B (which may be able to select which or both of A and B to measure). As another example, a statement that a processor is configured to at least one of A or B means that the processor is configured to A (and may or may not be configured to B), or is configured to B (and may or may not be configured to B), or is configured to both A and B, where A is a function (e.g., determining, obtaining, or measuring, etc.) and B is a function.

[0127] As used herein, the term RS (reference signal) may refer to one or more reference signals and may be appropriately applied to any form of the term RS, for example, PRS, SRS, CSI-RS, etc.

[0128] Substantial variations may be made depending on specific requirements. For example, customized hardware may also be used, and / or specific elements may be implemented in hardware, in software executed by a processor (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or in both. In addition, connections to other computing devices (such as network input / output devices) may be employed.

[0129] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, a recitation that a function or operation is “based on” an item or condition means that the function or operation is based on the recited item or condition, and may be based on one or more items and / or conditions other than the recited item or condition.

[0130] The systems and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may appropriately omit, replace, or add various procedures or components. For example, features described with reference to certain configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of a configuration may be combined in a similar manner. In addition, technology may evolve, and thus, many elements are examples, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure or claims.

[0131] A wireless communication system is a system in which communications are transmitted wirelessly, i.e., by electromagnetic waves and / or sound waves propagating through atmospheric space rather than by wires or other physical connections. A wireless communication network may not enable all communications to be transmitted wirelessly, but may be configured to enable at least some communications to be transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, the term "wireless communication device" or similar terms does not require that the functionality of the device is used exclusively or even primarily for communication, or that the device is a mobile device, but rather indicates that the device includes wireless communication capabilities (unidirectional or bidirectional), for example, including at least one radio (each radio being part of a transmitter, receiver or transceiver) for wireless communication.

[0132] Specific details are given in this description to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, these configurations can be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary details to avoid confusing these configurations. This description only provides example configurations, without limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claims. On the contrary, the previous description of the configuration provides a description for implementing the technology. Various changes can be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0133] As used herein, the terms "processor-readable medium," "machine-readable medium," and "computer-readable medium" refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operate in a particular manner. Using a computing platform, various processor-readable media may involve providing instructions / codes for execution to the processor(s), and / or may be used to store and / or carry such instructions / codes (e.g., as signals). In many implementations, processor-readable media are physical and / or tangible storage media. Such media may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical disks and / or magnetic disks. Volatile media include, but are not limited to, dynamic memory.

[0134] Several example configurations have been described, and various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, in which other rules may take precedence over the application of the present invention or otherwise modify the application of the present invention. In addition, several operations may be taken before, during, or after considering the above elements. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of the claims.

[0135] A statement that a value exceeds (or is greater than or higher than) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that a value meets or exceeds a second threshold that is slightly greater than the first threshold, e.g., the second threshold is one value higher than the first threshold in the resolution of the computing system. A statement that a value is less than (or within or below) a first threshold is equivalent to a statement that a value is less than or equal to a second threshold that is slightly lower than the first threshold, e.g., the second threshold is one value lower than the first threshold in the resolution of the computing system.

[0136] Furthermore, an indication that information is sent or transmitted "to" an entity, or a statement that information is sent or transmitted "to" an entity, does not necessarily complete the communication. Such indications or statements include situations where information is passed from a sending entity but does not reach the intended recipient of the information. An intended recipient, even if the information is not actually received, may still be referred to as a recipient entity, e.g., a recipient execution environment. Furthermore, an entity configured to send or transmit information "to" an intended recipient does not necessarily need to be configured to complete the delivery of the information to the intended recipient. For example, the entity may provide information with an indication of the intended recipient to another entity that is capable of forwarding the information and the indication of the intended recipient.

[0137] Each configuration may also be described as a process depicted as a flow chart or block diagram. Although each flow chart or block diagram may describe the operation as a sequential process, some operations may be performed in parallel or simultaneously. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. The process may have additional stages or functions that are not included in the accompanying drawings. In addition, examples of these methods may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segment for performing the task may be stored in a non-transient computer-readable medium (such as a storage medium). The processor may perform one or more of the described tasks.

[0138] Unless otherwise indicated, components shown in the figures and / or discussed herein as being connected or communicating with each other (functionally or otherwise) are communicatively coupled. That is, they may be connected directly or indirectly to enable communication between them.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a sounding reference signal (SRS) for positioning, the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of SRS transmission parameters at a user equipment (UE) when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to a communication network; as well as An SRS for positioning is transmitted from the UE according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in an inactive state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: An indication is received by the UE from the communication network, triggering transmission of the SRS for positioning from the UE.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inactive state comprises a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: A transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: One or more configuration parameters are received from the communication network in response to a request from the UE for transmission of a sounding reference signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: One or more configuration parameters are received from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: The one or more configuration parameters are received from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message also containing downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: The one or more configuration parameters are received from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: At least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS is determined by the UE when the UE is connected to the communication network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: If there is a disconnected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network, determining each of the plurality of SRS transmission parameters based on the received disconnected configuration parameter; Or if no appropriate non-connectivity configuration parameter is received, each of the plurality of SRS transmission parameters is determined based on a connectivity configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Transmission of the SRS for positioning from the UE is suppressed during a guard interval before the start of transmission of the SRS for positioning.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the SRS for positioning comprises: A pilot sequence is transmitted on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols for a period greater than a maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols allowed for transmission of SRS resources for positioning during connected communications between the UE and the communication network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein a beginning portion of the set of a plurality of consecutive symbols of the SRS used for positioning is used as a cyclic prefix of a remaining portion of another set of a plurality of consecutive symbols of the SRS used for positioning.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: The UE randomly or pseudo-randomly selects a pilot sequence to be used for transmitting the SRS for positioning.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the SRS for positioning comprises: The SRS for positioning is transmitted using a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from the communication network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the downlink reference signal comprises an SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) or a PRS (Positioning Reference Signal).

17. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; Transceiver; as well as a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the transceiver and configured to: obtaining a plurality of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to a communication network; as well as An SRS for positioning is transmitted from the UE according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in an inactive state.

18. The UE of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication triggering transmission of the SRS for positioning from the UE via the transceiver from the communication network.

19. The UE of claim 17, wherein the inactive state comprises a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode.

20. The UE of claim 17, wherein the plurality of SRS transmission parameters include: A transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof.

21. The UE of claim 17, wherein to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: receive one or more configuration parameters for transmission of a sounding reference signal from the communication network in response to a request from the UE.

22. The UE of claim 17, wherein in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal.

23. The UE of claim 22, wherein in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also includes downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information.

24. The UE of claim 22, wherein in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

25. The UE of claim 17, wherein in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: determine at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS when the UE is connected to the communication network.

26. A UE as claimed in claim 25, wherein in order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to: if there is a disconnected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network, determine each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the received disconnected configuration parameter; or if no appropriate disconnected configuration parameter is received, determine each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the connected configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

27. The UE of claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to refrain from transmitting the SRS for positioning via the transceiver during a guard interval prior to the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning.

28. A UE as claimed in claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to transmit the SRS for positioning by the following operation: transmitting a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) codewords for a period of time greater than the maximum number of consecutive OFDM codewords allowed for the transmission of SRS resources for positioning during connected communication between the UE and the communication network.

29. The UE of claim 28, wherein the processor is configured to use a beginning portion of the SRS for positioning having a plurality of consecutive symbols as a cyclic prefix for a remaining portion of another set of the SRS for positioning having a plurality of consecutive symbols.

30. The UE of claim 17, wherein in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the processor is configured to randomly or pseudo-randomly select a pilot sequence to be used to transmit the SRS for positioning.

31. The UE of claim 17, wherein, in order to transmit the SRS for positioning, the processor is configured to: select a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from the communication network to transmit the SRS for positioning.

32. The UE of claim 31, wherein the downlink reference signal comprises an SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) or a PRS (Positioning Reference Signal).

33. A user equipment (UE), comprising: means for obtaining a plurality of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to a communication network; as well as means for transmitting an SRS for positioning according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in an inactive state.

34. The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for transmitting the SRS for positioning is for transmitting the SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication from the communication network triggering transmission of the SRS for positioning from the UE.

35. The UE of claim 33, wherein the inactive state comprises a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode.

36. The UE of claim 33, wherein the plurality of SRS transmission parameters include: A transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof.

37. The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: Means for receiving, in response to a request from the UE, one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal.

38. The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: Means for receiving one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal.

39. The UE of claim 38, wherein the means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: Means for receiving the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message also containing downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information.

40. The UE of claim 38, wherein the means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: Means for receiving the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

41. The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: Means for determining at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS when the UE is connected to the communication network.

42. A UE as described in claim 41, wherein the device for obtaining the multiple SRS transmission parameters includes a device for the following operations: if there is a disconnected configuration parameter received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network, then each SRS transmission parameter of the multiple SRS transmission parameters is determined based on the received disconnected configuration parameter; or if no appropriate disconnected configuration parameter is received, then each SRS transmission parameter of the multiple SRS transmission parameters is determined based on the connected configuration parameter received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network.

43. The UE of claim 33, further comprising: Means for refraining from transmitting the SRS for positioning during a guard interval prior to the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning.

44. The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for transmitting the SRS for positioning comprises: Means for transmitting a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols for a period greater than a maximum number of consecutive OFDM symbols allowed for transmission of SRS resources used for positioning during connected communications between the UE and the communication network.

45. The UE of claim 44, further comprising: A device for using a beginning portion of the SRS for positioning having a plurality of consecutive symbols as a cyclic prefix of a remaining portion of another set of the SRS for positioning having a plurality of consecutive symbols.

46. ​​The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for obtaining the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: means for randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting a pilot sequence to be used for transmitting the SRS for positioning.

47. The UE of claim 33, wherein the means for transmitting the SRS for positioning comprises: Means for selecting a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from the communications network.

48. The UE of claim 47, wherein the downlink reference signal comprises an SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) or a PRS (Positioning Reference Signal).

49. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium comprising processor-readable instructions configured to cause a processor of a user equipment (UE) to: obtaining a plurality of sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission parameters when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to a communication network; and An SRS for positioning is transmitted from the UE according to the plurality of SRS transmission parameters when the UE is in an inactive state.

50. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: transmit the SRS for positioning in response to receiving an indication from the communication network triggering transmission of the SRS for positioning from the UE.

51. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein the inactive state comprises a discontinuous reception (DRX) inactive mode.

52. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein the plurality of SRS transmission parameters comprises: A transmission beam, or a pilot sequence, or a physical resource mapping, or a timing advance, or a first protection time before transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a second protection time after transmitting the SRS for positioning, or a combination of two or more thereof.

53. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal in response to a request from the UE.

54. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: receive one or more configuration parameters from the communication network for transmission of a sounding reference signal.

55. A storage medium as described in claim 54, wherein in order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message that also includes downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS) information.

56. A storage medium as described in claim 54, wherein in order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: receive the one or more configuration parameters from the communication network in a broadcast system information block (SIB) message dedicated to carrying the one or more configuration parameters.

57. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein, in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: determine at least one UE-specific configuration parameter of another SRS when the UE is connected to the communication network.

58. A storage medium as described in claim 57, wherein in order to obtain the multiple SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to enable the processor to: determine each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the received disconnected configuration parameters if there are disconnected configuration parameters received by the UE from the communication network when the UE is in a disconnected state relative to the communication network; or determine each of the multiple SRS transmission parameters based on the connected configuration parameters received when the UE is in a connected state relative to the communication network if no appropriate disconnected configuration parameters are received.

59. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: refrain from transmitting the SRS for positioning during a guard interval prior to the start of transmitting the SRS for positioning.

60. A storage medium as described in claim 49, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: transmit the SRS for positioning by: transmitting a pilot sequence on the same set of subcarriers on consecutive OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) codewords for a length greater than the maximum number of consecutive OFDM codewords allowed for the transmission of SRS resources for positioning during connected communication between the UE and the communication network.

61. The storage medium of claim 60, wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor to use a beginning portion of the SRS for positioning having a plurality of consecutive symbols as a cyclic prefix for a remaining portion of another set of the SRS for positioning having a plurality of consecutive symbols.

62. The storage medium of claim 49, wherein, in order to obtain the plurality of SRS transmission parameters, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: randomly or pseudo-randomly select a pilot sequence to be used to transmit the SRS for positioning.

63. A storage medium as described in claim 49, wherein, in order to transmit the SRS for positioning, the instructions are configured to cause the processor to: select a transmit beam corresponding to a receive beam associated with receiving a downlink reference signal from the communication network to transmit the SRS for positioning.

64. The storage medium of claim 63, wherein the downlink reference signal comprises an SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) or a PRS (Positioning Reference Signal).

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