Location reference signal repetition duration for non-terrestrial networks

Abstract

A technique for positioning is disclosed. A receiver measures the time of arrival (ToA) of a positioning reference signal (PRS) transmission of a first PRS sequence transmitted by a first transmitter, measures the ToA of a PRS transmission of a second PRS sequence transmitted by a second transmitter, and determines the observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) as the difference between the ToA of the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and the ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence, wherein the OTDOA is less than half of the expected maximum differential delay between the PRS transmissions of the first and second PRS sequences, and wherein the repetition duration of the first and second PRS sequences is greater than 10 milliseconds (ms) and is at least twice the maximum differential delay.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The aspects of this disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless communication systems have evolved through multiple generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephone service (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephone service (including the transitional 2.5G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data and Internet-enabled wireless services, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., LTE or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and TDMA-based Global System for Mobile Access (GSM) variants.

[0003] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables higher data transmission speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance, the 5G standard is designed to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data rate to each of tens of thousands of users, and gigabit per second (Gbps) of data rate to dozens of workers on an office floor. It should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections to support large-scale wireless sensor deployments. Therefore, 5G mobile communications should have significantly enhanced spectral efficiency compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be improved, and latency should be greatly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following is a simplified summary relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, this summary should not be considered a broad overview relating to all anticipated aspects, nor should it be considered as identifying key or essential elements relating to all anticipated aspects or depicting the scope associated with any particular aspect. Thus, the sole purpose of the following summary is to present, in a simplified form, certain concepts relating to one or more aspects involving the mechanisms disclosed herein, prior to the specific implementations presented below.

[0005] In one aspect, a positioning method performed by a receiver device includes measuring the time of arrival (ToA) of a PRS transmission of a first positioning reference signal (PRS) sequence transmitted by a first transmitter, measuring the ToA of a PRS transmission of a second PRS sequence transmitted by a second transmitter, and determining the observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) between the PRS transmissions of the first and second PRS sequences as the difference between the ToA of the PRS transmissions of the first and second PRS sequences, wherein the OTDOA is less than the maximum expected differential delay between a pair of PRS transmissions simultaneously transmitted by a pair of transmitter devices during the same radio frame received at the receiver device, and wherein the repetition duration of the first and second PRS sequences is greater than 10 milliseconds (ms) and is at least twice the maximum differential delay.

[0006] In one aspect, a positioning method performed by a transmitting device includes generating a first PRS sequence, wherein the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence is greater than 10 ms and is at least twice the maximum differential delay, wherein the maximum differential delay is the maximum amount of time expected to occur between a pair of PRS transmissions simultaneously transmitted by a pair of transmitting devices during the same radio frame received at a receiver device; and transmitting the PRS sequence to the receiver device.

[0007] Other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The accompanying drawings are provided to help describe various aspects of this disclosure, and are provided merely to illustrate these aspects and not to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication system is shown according to various aspects.

[0010] Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example wireless network architecture is shown, based on various aspects.

[0011] Figures 3A to 3C This is a simplified block diagram of several example aspects of components that can be adopted in wireless communication nodes and configured to support communications as taught in this article.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure for a wireless telecommunications system according to aspects of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 An exemplary PRS configuration for a cell supported by a wireless node is shown.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary technique for determining the location of a mobile device using information obtained from multiple satellites.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a graph illustrating the ambiguity of PRS measurements from different satellites, where the PRS period is shorter than the propagation time between the satellite and the receiver.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of using the extended PRS cycle disclosed herein.

[0017] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A method for positioning a receiver device according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Aspects of this disclosure are provided in the following description and associated drawings, which are intended for various examples provided for illustrative purposes. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, well-known elements of this disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure relevant details of this disclosure.

[0019] The terms “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or superior to other aspects. Similarly, the term “aspects of this disclosure” does not require that all aspects of this disclosure include the features, advantages, or modes of operation discussed.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will understand that the information and signals described below can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and methods. For example, depending in part on the specific application, in part on the desired design, in part on the corresponding technology, etc., the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips referred to throughout the following description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.

[0021] Furthermore, many aspects are described as a sequence of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be appreciated that the various actions described herein can be performed by a particular circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), program instructions executed by one or more processors, or a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence(s) of actions described herein can be considered to be implemented entirely in any form of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a corresponding set of computer instructions that, when executed, will cause or instruct the associated processor of the device to perform the functions described herein. Therefore, various aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in a variety of different forms, all of which are contemplated within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, for each aspect described herein, the corresponding form of any such aspect can be described herein as, for example, "logic" "configured" to perform the described actions.

[0022] As used herein, unless otherwise stated, the terms “User Equipment” (UE) and “Base Station” are not intended to be specific to or otherwise limited to any particular Radio Access Technology (RAT). Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device used by a user to communicate over a wireless communication network (e.g., mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.). A UE can be mobile or may (e.g., at certain times) be stationary and can communicate with a Radio Access Network (RAN). As used herein, the term “UE” can be used interchangeably with “Access Terminal” or “AT”, “Client Equipment”, “Wireless Equipment”, “Subscriber Equipment”, “Subscriber Terminal”, “Subscriber Station”, “User Terminal” or “UT”, “Mobile Terminal”, “Mobile Station”, or variations thereof. Typically, a UE can communicate with the core network via the 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 wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.).

[0023] A base station can operate based on one of several RATs communicating with the UE, depending on the network in which it is deployed, and can be alternatively referred to as an Access Point (AP), Network Node, NodeB, Evolved NodeB (eNB), New Radio (NR) Node B (also known as gNB or gNodeB), etc. Furthermore, in some systems, the base station can provide purely edge node signaling functions, while in others it can provide additional control and / or network management functions. The communication link through which the UE sends signals to the base station is called an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., reverse traffic channel, reverse control channel, access channel, etc.). The communication link through which the base station sends signals to the UE is called a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., paging channel, control channel, broadcast channel, forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term Traffic Channel (TCH) can refer to either the UL / reverse traffic channel or the DL / forward traffic channel.

[0024] The term "base station" can refer to a single physical transmit / receive point (TRP) or multiple physical TRPs, which may or may not be co-located. For example, when the term "base station" refers to a single physical TRP, the physical TRP may be the antenna of the base station corresponding to the cell of the base station. When the term "base station" refers to multiple co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be the antenna array of the base station (e.g., as in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). When the term "base station" refers to multiple non-co-located physical TRPs, the physical TRP may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a spatially separated antenna network connected to a common source via a transmission medium) or a remote radio headend (RRH) (a remote base station connected to the serving base station). Alternatively, a non-co-located physical TRP may be the serving base station from which the UE receives measurement reports and a neighboring base station from which the UE is measuring its reference RF signal. As used herein, because a TRP is the point from which a base station transmits and receives radio signals, references to transmissions from or receptions at a base station will be understood as references to a specific TRP of the base station.

[0025] An “RF signal” comprises electromagnetic waves of a given frequency that transmit information across space between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter may send 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 transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal.

[0026] According to various aspects, Figure 1An exemplary wireless communication system 100 is illustrated. 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. Base stations 102 may include macro cell base stations (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low-power cellular base stations). In one aspect, macro cell base stations may include eNBs in the case of wireless communication system 100 corresponding to an LTE network, or gNBs in the case of wireless communication system 100 corresponding to an NR network, or a combination of both, and small cell base stations may include femtocells, picocells, microcells, etc.

[0027] Base stations 102 can collectively form a RAN and are connected to a core network 170 (e.g., an evolved packet core (EPC) or next-generation core (NGC)) via backhaul link 122, and are connected to one or more location servers 172 via the core network 170. Among other functions, base stations 102 can perform one or more functions related to transmitting user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and warning message delivery. Base stations 102 can communicate directly or indirectly with each other via backhaul link 134 (e.g., via EPC / NGC), which can be wired or wireless.

[0028] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. In one aspect, one or more cells can 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., via a frequency resource, referred to as a carrier frequency, component carrier, carrier, frequency band, etc.) and can be associated with an identifier (e.g., Physical Cell Identifier (PCID), Virtual Cell Identifier (VCID)) to distinguish cells operating via the same or different carrier frequencies. In some cases, different cells can be configured based on different protocol types (e.g., Machine Type Communication (MTC), Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), or others) that can provide access for different types of UEs. Because a cell is supported by a specific base station, depending on the context, the term “cell” can refer to one or both of the logical communication entity and the base station that supports it. In some cases, the term “cell” can also refer to a geographic coverage area (e.g., a sector) of a base station, provided that the carrier frequency can be detected and used for communication within a portion of the geographic coverage area 110.

[0029] While the geographic coverage areas 110 of adjacent macro cell base stations 102 may partially overlap (e.g., in handover areas), some of the geographic coverage areas 110 may substantially overlap with larger geographic coverage areas 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 macro cell base stations 102. A network that includes both small cell base stations and macro cell base stations can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home eNBs (HeNBs) that can provide service to restricted groups called Closed Subscriber Groups (CSGs).

[0030] The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include downlink (UL) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 (also known as the reverse link) and / or downlink (DL) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104 (also known as the forward link). Communication link 120 may use MIMO antenna technologies, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. Communication link 120 may use one or more carrier frequencies. Carrier allocation may be asymmetric relative to DL and UL (e.g., DL may be allocated more or fewer carriers than UL).

[0031] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a WLAN station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in unlicensed spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in unlicensed spectrum, the WLAN STA 152 and / or WLAN AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen-before-speak (LBT) process before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0032] Small cell base station 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell base station 102' can employ LTE or NR technology and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum as WLAN AP 150. Employing LTE / 5G in unlicensed spectrum can improve access network coverage and / or increase access network capacity. NR in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as NR-U. LTE in unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE-U, Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0033] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a millimeter-wave (mmW) base station 180, which can operate in mmW and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with the UE 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that carries the radio frequency (RF). EHF has a range from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, with wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend down to frequencies of 3 GHz and wavelengths of 100 mm. Ultra-high frequency (SHF) bands extend between 3 GHz and 30 GHz and are also known as centimeter waves. Communication using mmW / near-mmW RF bands has high path loss and relatively short range. The mmW base station 180 and the UE 182 can utilize beamforming via the mmW communication link 184 (transmit and / or receive) to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Furthermore, it will be understood that, in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 may also use mmW or near-mmW and beamforming for transmission. Therefore, it will be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0034] Transmit beamforming is a technique that focuses an RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts an RF signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omnidirectional). Using transmit beamforming, the network node determines the location of a given target device (e.g., a UE) (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, thus providing a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal to (multiple) receiving devices. To change the directivity of the RF signal during transmission, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of one or more transmitters broadcasting the RF signal. For example, the network node can use an antenna array (called a "phased array" or "antenna array") that generates an RF beam, which can be "steered" to point in different directions without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, RF currents from the transmitters are fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship, such that radio waves from the individual antennas are added together to increase radiation in the desired direction while canceling out radiation in undesired directions.

[0035] Transmit beams can be quasi-co-located, meaning they appear to the receiver (e.g., UE) as having the same parameters, regardless of whether the transmit antennas of the network nodes themselves are physically co-located. In NR, there are four types of quasi-co-located (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 can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial reception parameters of the second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0036] 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 a gain setting and / or adjust the phase setting of an antenna array in a specific direction to amplify (e.g., increase its gain level) the RF signal received from that direction. Therefore, when a receiver is said to be beamforming in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is high relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain of all other receive beams available to the receiver in that direction. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0037] The receive beam can be spatially dependent. Spatial dependence means that the parameters of the transmit beam of the second reference signal can be derived from information about the receive beam of the first reference signal. For example, the UE can use a specific receive beam to receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to that base station based on the parameters of the receive beam.

[0038] Note that a "downlink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, then the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if a UE is forming a downlink beam, then it is a receive beam for receiving downlink reference signals. Similarly, an "uplink" beam can be either a transmit or receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming an uplink beam, then it is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming an uplink beam, then it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0039] In 5G, the spectrum in which radio nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UE 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges: FR1 (from 450MHz to 6000MHz), FR2 (from 24250MHz to 52600MHz), FR3 (above 52600MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In multi-carrier systems, such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is called the “primary carrier” or “anchor carrier” or “primary serving cell” or “PCell,” and the remaining carrier frequencies are called “secondary carriers” or “secondary serving cells” or “SCell.” In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by UE 104 / 182 and the cell in which UE 104 / 182 performs the initial Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or initiates the RRC connection re-establishment procedure. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels and can be a carrier in a licensed frequency (however, this is not always the case). A secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2). This second frequency can be configured once an RRC connection is established between UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and it can be used to provide additional radio resources. In some cases, the secondary carrier may be a carrier on an unlicensed frequency. The secondary carrier may contain only the necessary signaling information and signals; for example, those specific to the UE may not be present in the secondary carrier, as the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 within a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same applies to the uplink primary carrier. The network can change the primary carrier of any UE 104 / 182 at any time. For example, this is done to balance the load on different carriers. Because a “serving cell” (whether PCell or SCell) corresponds to the carrier frequency / component carrier on which a base station is communicating, the terms “cell,” “serving cell,” “component carrier,” “carrier frequency,” etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0040] For example, still refer to Figure 1One of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the mmW base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCell"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception on multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, compared to the data rate obtained by a single 20MHz carrier, the aggregation of two 20MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system would theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40MHz).

[0041] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In the example, UE 190 has a D2D P2P link 192 connecting one of UEs 104 to one of base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity via D2D P2P link 192), and a D2D P2P link 194 connecting WLAN STA 152 to WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity via D2D P2P link 194). In the example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be supported using any well-known D2D RAT, such as LTE Direct (LTE-D) and WiFi Direct (WiFi-D). wait.

[0042] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which can communicate with the macro cell base station 102 via communication link 120 and / or with the mmW base station 180 via mmW communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support the PCell and one or more SCells of the UE 164, and the mmW base station 180 may support one or more SCells of the UE 164.

[0043] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more satellites 112 in a non-terrestrial network (NTN). Due to the extensive service coverage and reduced vulnerability of space / air vehicles (e.g., satellites 112) to physical attacks and natural disasters, the NTN can be used to provide 5G NR service in unserved areas not covered by terrestrial 5G networks (e.g., isolated / remote areas, on aircraft or ships) and underserved areas (e.g., suburban / rural areas), upgrading the performance of limited terrestrial networks in a cost-effective manner. Reference Figure 1Satellite 112 communicates with UE 114 (representing a UE in an area not served by the terrestrial 5G network) outside the coverage area of ​​base station 102, and with UE 116 (representing a UE with insufficient terrestrial 5G network service) within the coverage area of ​​base station 102. Therefore, depending on the service provided by base station 102 to UE 116, satellite 112 can act as a serving base station for UE 114, and as a primary or secondary cell for UE 116.

[0044] NTN can also be used to enhance the reliability of 5G services by providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) and / or IoT devices, or for passengers on mobile platforms such as airplanes, ships, high-speed trains, buses, and other passenger transport, or to ensure service availability anywhere, especially for critical communications. NTN can also enable 5G network scalability by providing efficient multicast / broadcast resources to the network edge and even the UE.

[0045] The NTN includes one or more gateways (shown as gateway 118) between a space / air platform (e.g., satellite 112) and a core network (e.g., core network 170). The radio link between a UE (e.g., UEs 114, 116) and the space / air platform (e.g., satellite 112) is referred to as a "serving link" (e.g., serving link 124). Additionally, the UE may also support radio links with a terrestrial-based RAN, such as communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 116. The radio link between a gateway (e.g., gateway 118) and the space / air platform (e.g., satellite 112) is referred to as a "feeder link" (e.g., feeder link 126).

[0046] Note that, although Figure 1 Satellite 112 is shown as an exemplary space / air platform, but it will be understood that satellite 112 can be any type of manned or unmanned air or space vehicle capable of providing 5G services to UEs within its coverage area. Furthermore, although... Figure 1 Only a single satellite 112 and a single gateway 118 are shown, but it will be understood that this is merely exemplary and any number of satellites 112 can be connected to any number of gateways 118. Further details regarding NTN can be found in 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38.811, which is publicly available and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0047] According to various aspects, Figure 2AAn example wireless network architecture 200 is illustrated. For example, NGC 210 (also referred to as "5GC") can functionally be considered as control plane function 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane function 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, access to data networks, IP routing, etc.), which cooperate to form the core network. User plane interface (NG-U) 213 and control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect gNB 222 to NGC 210, specifically to control plane function 214 and user plane function 212. In an additional configuration, eNB 224 can also connect to NGC 210 via NG-C 215 to control plane function 214 and NG-U 213 to user plane function 212. Furthermore, 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 gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of eNB 224 and gNB 222. The gNB 222 or eNB 224 can be used with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The UE 204 can communicate with any UE shown. Another optional aspect may include a location server 230, which can communicate with the NGC 210 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The location server 230 may be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each location server 230 may correspond to a single server. The location server 230 may be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can be connected to via the core network, the NGC 210, and / or via the Internet (not shown). Furthermore, the location server 230 may be integrated into a component of the core network, or alternatively, may be located outside the core network.

[0048] Figure 2A Satellite 112, as part of an example wireless network architecture 200, is also shown. Satellite 112 can be used with reference... Figure 1 The description is the same as shown above. (See the reference above.) Figure 1As described, UE 204 can communicate with satellite 112 via serving link 124. Like eNB 224 and gNB 222, satellite 112 can communicate with control plane function 214 and user plane function 212 via control plane interface (NG-C) 215 and user plane interface (NG-U) 213, respectively. However, satellite 112 communicates with control plane function 214 and user plane function 212 via a gateway (e.g., gateway 118, not shown) between satellite 112 and NGC 210. In some cases, similar to the communication between eNB 224 and gNB 222 via backhaul link 223, satellite 112 can also communicate with eNB 224 and gNB 222 via a radio backhaul link (not shown).

[0049] According to various aspects, Figure 2B Another example wireless network architecture 250 is shown. For example, NGC 260 (also referred to as "5GC") can be functionally viewed as a control plane function provided by Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) / User Plane Function (UPF) 264 and a user plane function provided by Session Management Function (SMF) 262, which cooperate to form the core network (i.e., NGC 260). User plane interface 263 and control plane interface 265 connect eNB 224 to NGC 260, and specifically to SMF 262 and AMF / UPF 264. In an additional configuration, gNB 222 can also connect to NGC 260 via control plane interface 265 to AMF / UPF 264 and user plane interface 263 to SMF 262. Furthermore, with or without a direct connection from gNB to NGC 260, 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 gNB 222s, while other configurations include one or more of eNB 224 and gNB 222. The gNB 222 or eNB 224 can be used with UE 204 (e.g., Figure 1 (As shown, any UE) communicates. The base station of the new RAN 220 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF / UPF 264 through the N2 interface and with the UPF side of the AMF / UPF 264 through the N3 interface.

[0050] picture Figure 2A Same, Figure 2B Satellite 112, as part of the example wireless network architecture 250, is also shown. Satellite 112 can be used with reference... Figure 1 and Figure 2A The description is the same as shown above. (See the reference above.) Figure 1As described, UE 204 can communicate with satellite 112 via serving link 124. Satellite 112 can communicate with gateway 118 via feeder link 126, and gateway 118 can communicate with NGC 260 via backhaul link 122. Like eNB 224 and gNB 222, satellite 112 can communicate with AMF / UPF 264 and SMF 262 via control plane interface and user plane interface (not shown), respectively. However, unlike eNB 224 and gNB 222, satellite 112 communicates with AMF / UPF 264 and SMF 262 via gateway 118.

[0051] There are different types of satellite communication architectures, two of which are "payload processing" and "bend-by-bend" types. In the payload processing type, all or at least some of the eNB / gNB functionality is performed at satellite 112. This situation is... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The example is illustrated by satellite 112 being included in the new RAN 220. In the case of the bend type, satellite 112 acts as a repeater, and all eNB / gNB functions are performed at gateway 118. In this case, gateway 118 can be included in the new RAN 220. This disclosure is not limited to any type of satellite communication architecture.

[0052] The AMF's functions include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful interception, transmission of Session Management (SM) messages between UE 204 and SMF 262, transparent proxy service for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transmission of Short Message Service (SMS) messages between UE 204 and the Short Message Service Function (SMSF) (not shown), and the Security Anchor Function (SEAF). The AMF also interacts with the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) (not shown) and UE 204, and receives the intermediate key established as a result of UE 204's authentication process. In the case of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)-based authentication, the AMF retrieves security materials from the AMF. The AMF's functions also include Security Context Management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF and uses this key to derive a network-specific key for access. The AMF's functions also include location service management for regulatory services, transmission of location service messages between UE 204 and Location Management Function (LMF) 270 and between the new RAN 220 and LMF 270, Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interoperability with EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. Furthermore, the AMF supports functions for non-3GPP access networks.

[0053] The functions of the UPF include acting as an anchor point for intra / inter-RAT mobility (where applicable), acting as an external Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session point interconnected 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) processing (e.g., UL / DL rate enforcement, reflected QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (Service Data Flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), 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.

[0054] 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 service bootstrapping at the UPF to route services to appropriate destinations, control of partial policy enforcement 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.

[0055] Another optional aspect may include an LMF 270, which can communicate with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance to the UE 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as multiple separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules distributed across multiple physical servers, etc.), or alternatively, each LMF 270 may correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for the UE 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, the NGC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown).

[0056] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3CSeveral example components (represented by corresponding boxes) are shown that can be incorporated into UE 302 (which may correspond to any UE described herein), space / air vehicle 304 (which may correspond to any space / air vehicle described herein, such as satellite 112), and network entity 306 (which may correspond to or implement any network functions described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270) to support the file transfer operations taught herein. It will be understood that these components can be implemented in different types of devices in different implementations (e.g., in an ASIC, in a system-on-a-chip (SoC), etc.). The components shown can 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. Similarly, a given device may contain one or more of the 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.

[0057] UE 302 includes a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) transceiver 310 configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown) (such as 5G NR networks, LTE networks, GSM networks, etc.). Similarly, space / air vehicle 304 includes a WWAN transceiver 350 configured to communicate via one or more wireless communication networks (not shown) (such as 5G NR networks). WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 may be connected to one or more antennas 316 and 356, respectively, for communicating with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations (e.g., eNB, gNB), space / air vehicle, etc.) via at least one designated RAT (e.g., NR, LTE, GSM, etc.) through a wireless communication medium of interest (e.g., a certain set of time / frequency resources in a specific spectrum). According to the specified RAT, WWAN transceivers 310 and 350 can be configured differently for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely configured for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, transceivers 310 and 350 each include one or more transmitters 314 and 354 for transmitting and encoding signals 318 and 358, respectively, and one or more receivers 312 and 352 for receiving and decoding signals 318 and 358, respectively.

[0058] In at least some cases, UE 302 also includes a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 320. The WLAN transceiver 320 can be connected to one or more antennas 326 for use via a wireless communication medium of interest through at least one designated RAT (e.g., WiFi, LTE-D, etc.). The WLAN transceiver 320 communicates with other network nodes (such as other UEs, access points, base stations, etc.). According to the specified RAT, the WLAN transceiver 320 can be configured differently for transmitting and encoding signals 328 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.), and conversely, configured to receive and decode signals 328 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the WLAN transceiver 320 includes one or more transmitters 324 for transmitting and encoding signals 328, and one or more receivers 322 for receiving and decoding signals 328.

[0059] Space / air vehicle 304 includes at least one network interface 370, which may be one or more transceivers. The network interface(s) 370 may be connected to one or more antennas 376 for wireless communication with a gateway (e.g., gateway 118) and / or other space / air vehicles via a wireless communication medium of interest. According to a specified RAT, the network interface(s) 370 may be configured differently for transmitting and encoding signals 378 (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) and conversely configured for receiving and decoding signals 378 (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Specifically, the network interface(s) 370 includes one or more transmitters 374 for transmitting and encoding signals 378, and one or more receivers 372 for receiving and decoding signals 378.

[0060] Transceiver circuitry, including a transmitter and a receiver, may in some implementations include an integrated device (e.g., transmitter and receiver circuitry implemented as a single communication device), in some implementations include separate transmitter and receiver devices, or in other implementations may be implemented in other ways. In one aspect, the transmitter may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 376), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device to perform transmit “beamforming,” as described herein. Similarly, the receiver may include or be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 376), such as an antenna array, which allows the corresponding device to perform receive beamforming, as described herein. In another aspect, the transmitter and receiver may share the same multiple antennas (e.g., antennas 316, 326, 356, 376), such that the corresponding device can only receive or transmit at a given time, and cannot receive and transmit simultaneously. The wireless communication devices of devices 302 and / or 304 (e.g., one or both of transceivers 310 and 320 and / or 350) may also include network eavesdropping modules (NLMs) for performing various measurements.

[0061] In at least some cases, UE 302 also includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 330. GPS receiver 330 may be connected to one or more antennas 336 for receiving GPS signals 338. GPS receiver 330 may include any suitable hardware and / or software for receiving and processing GPS signals 338. GPS receiver 330 appropriately requests information and operations from other systems and performs calculations necessary to determine the location of UE 302 using measurements obtained through any suitable GPS algorithm.

[0062] Network entity 306 includes at least one network interface 390 for communicating with other network entities. For example, network interface 390 (e.g., one or more network access ports) may be configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. In some aspects, network interface 390 may be implemented as one or more transceivers configured to support wired or wireless signaling communication. Such communication may involve, for example, sending and receiving messages, parameters, or other types of information.

[0063] Apparatus 302, 304, and 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the operations disclosed herein. UE 302 includes processor circuitry implementing processing system 332 for providing functions related to positioning measurements, such as those using NTN reference signals disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. Space / air vehicle 304 includes processing system 384 for providing functions related to transmitting reference signals, such as those disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. Network entity 306 includes processing system 394 for providing functions related to configuring NTN reference signals for positioning measurements, such as those disclosed herein, and for providing other processing functions. In one aspect, processing systems 332, 384, and 394 may include, for example, one or more general-purpose processors, multi-core processors, ASICs, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices or processing circuitry.

[0064] Devices 302, 304, and 306 include memory circuitry that respectively implements memory components 340, 386, and 396 (e.g., each including a memory device) for maintaining information (e.g., information indicating reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In some cases, devices 302, 304, and 306 may include positioning modules 342, 388, and 398, respectively. Positioning modules 342, 388, and 398 may be hardware circuitry that is part of or coupled to processing systems 332, 384, and 394, respectively, and when executed, causes devices 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functions described herein. Alternatively, positioning modules 342, 388, and 398 may be memory modules (e.g., memory modules stored in memory components 340, 386, and 396) respectively. Figures 3A to 3C (As shown), these positioning modules, when executed by processing systems 332, 384 and 394, enable devices 302, 304 and 306 to perform the functions described herein.

[0065] UE 302 may include one or more sensors 344 coupled to processing system 332 to provide motion and / or orientation information independent of motion data derived from signals received by WWAN transceiver 310, WLAN transceiver 320, and / or GPS receiver 330. For example, the sensors 344 may include accelerometers (e.g., microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices), gyroscopes, geomagnetic sensors (e.g., compasses), altimeters (e.g., barometric altimeters), and / or any other type of motion detection sensor. Furthermore, the sensors 344 may include various different types of devices, and their outputs may be combined to provide motion information. For example, the sensors 344 may use a combination of multi-axis accelerometers and orientation sensors to provide the ability to calculate position in 2D and / or 3D coordinate systems.

[0066] In addition, UE 302 includes a user interface 346 for providing instructions to the user (e.g., auditory and / or visual instructions) and / or for receiving user input (e.g., when the user actuates a sensing device such as a keypad, touchscreen, microphone, etc.). Although not shown, devices 304 and 306 may also include user interfaces.

[0067] Referring more specifically to processing system 384, in the downlink, IP packets from network entity 306 can be provided to processing system 384 via network interface(s) 370. Processing system 384 can implement the functions of the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and Media Access Control (MAC) layer. The processing system 384 can provide RRC layer functions 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 functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper-layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0068] Transmitter 354 and receiver 352 can implement Layer-1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer-1, including the physical (PHY) layer, can include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) decoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. Transmitter 354 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The decoded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) subcarriers, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. The channel estimate from the channel estimator can be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimate can be derived from the reference signal and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by UE 302. Each spatial stream can then be provided to one or more different antennas 356. Transmitter 354 can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate the RF carrier for transmission.

[0069] At UE 302, receiver 312 receives signals through its respective antenna(s) 316. Receiver 312 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to processing system 332. Transmitter 314 and receiver 312 implement Layer-1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on this information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 302, they can be combined by receiver 312 into a single OFDM symbol stream. Receiver 312 then uses a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. Symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation points transmitted by space / air vehicle 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by a channel estimator. The soft decision is then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by the space / air vehicle 304 over the physical channel. The data and control signals are then provided to the processing system 332, which implements Layer-3 and Layer-2 functions.

[0070] In the UL, processing system 332 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from the core network. Processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0071] Similar to the functions described in conjunction with the DL transmissions performed by space / air vehicle 304, processing system 332 provides RRC layer functions associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connectivity, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with upper-layer PDU transmission, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions 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 via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0072] Transmitter 314 can use a channel estimate derived by a channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by space / air vehicle 304 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and facilitate space processing. The space stream generated by transmitter 314 can be provided to different(multiple) antennas 316. Transmitter 314 can use the corresponding space stream to modulate an RF carrier for transmission.

[0073] UL transmissions are processed at space / air vehicle 304 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver function at UE 302. Receiver 352 receives signals via its respective antenna(s) 356. Receiver 352 recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to processing system 384.

[0074] In the UL, processing system 384 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between the transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from UE 302. IP packets from processing system 384 can then be provided to the core network. Processing system 384 is also responsible for error detection.

[0075] For convenience, devices 302, 304 and / or 306 are... Figures 3A to 3C The blocks shown are illustrated as including various components that can be configured according to the various examples described herein. However, it will be understood that the blocks shown may have different functionalities in different designs.

[0076] The components of devices 302, 304 and 306 can communicate with each other via data buses 334, 382 and 392, respectively. Figures 3A to 3C Components can be implemented in various ways. In some implementations, Figures 3A to 3C The components can 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 function. For example, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 310 to 346 can be implemented by the processor and(s) memory components of UE 302 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Similarly, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 350 to 388 can be implemented by the processor and(s) memory components of space / air vehicle 304 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). Furthermore, some or all of the functions represented by boxes 390 to 398 can be implemented by the processor and(s) memory components of network entity 306 (e.g., by executing appropriate code and / or by appropriate configuration of the processor components). For simplicity, various operations, actions, and / or functions are described herein as being performed "by the UE", "by the base station", "by the positioning entity", etc. However, it will be understood that such operations, actions and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components of the UE, base station, positioning entity, etc., such as processing systems 332, 384, 394, transceivers 310, 320, 350 and 360, memory components 340, 386 and 396, positioning modules 342, 388 and 398, etc.

[0077] Figure 4 Figure 400 illustrates an example of a downlink frame structure according to aspects of this disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0078] LTE, and in some cases NR, uses OFDM on the downlink and single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) on the uplink. However, unlike LTE, NR has the option to also use OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM divide the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are often referred to as tones, bands, etc. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. Typically, modulation symbols are transmitted in the frequency domain using OFDM and in the time domain using SC-FDM. The spacing between adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can depend on the system bandwidth. For example, the subcarrier spacing can be 15 kHz, and the minimum resource allocation (resource block) can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Therefore, for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, the nominal FFT size can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. The system bandwidth can also be divided into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and for system bandwidths of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20MHz, there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands respectively.

[0079] LTE supports a single set of parameters (numerology) (subcarrier spacing, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple sets of parameters; for example, subcarrier spacings of 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz, and 204kHz or greater can be available. Table 1 below lists some of the different parameters for different NR parameter sets.

[0080]

[0081]

[0082] Table 1

[0083] exist Figure 4 In the example, a parameter set of 15kHz was used. Therefore, in the time domain, a frame (e.g., 10ms) is divided into 10 equal-sized subframes, each 1ms in size, and each subframe includes one time slot. Figure 4 In the diagram, time is represented horizontally (e.g., on the X-axis) and increases from left to right, while frequency is represented vertically (e.g., on the Y-axis) and increases (or decreases) from bottom to top.

[0084] A resource grid can be used to represent time slots, each of which includes one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also known as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is also divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to a symbol length in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain. Figure 4 In the parameter set, for a normal cyclic prefix, the RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 7 consecutive symbols in the time domain (OFDM symbols for DL; SC-FDMA symbols for UL), for a total of 84 REs. For an extended cyclic prefix, the RB can contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and 6 consecutive symbols in the time domain, for a total of 72 REs. The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0085] like Figure 4 As shown, some REs (labeled "R") carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS) to be measured by the UE for various reasons. For example, the DL-RS may include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) for estimating channel conditions between the UE and the transmitter. As another example, the DL-RS may include a positioning reference signal (PRS) to be measured by the UE for positioning purposes.

[0086] The set of resource elements used for PRS transmission is called a "PRS resource". The set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., one or more) consecutive symbols within a time slot in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol, the PRS resource occupies a consecutive PRB. A PRS resource is described by at least the following parameters: PRS resource identifier (ID), sequence ID, comb size N, resource element offset in the frequency domain, start time slot and start symbol, number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., duration of the PRS resource), and QCL information (e.g., QCL with other DL reference signals). Currently, one antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers carrying the PRS in each symbol. For example, a comb size of Comb 4 means that every fourth subcarrier in a given symbol carries the PRS.

[0087] A "PRS resource set" is a collection of PRS resources used for the transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Furthermore, PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with the same TRP. A PRS resource set is identified by a PRS resource set ID and can be associated with a specific TRP (identified by a cell ID) transmitted by the base station's antenna panel. The PRS resource ID in a PRS resource set is associated with a single beam (and / or beam ID) transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource in a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam; thus, a "PRS resource," or simply a "resource," can also be referred to as a "beam." Note that this has no impact on whether the UE knows the TRP and the beam transmitting the PRS.

[0088] A “PRS instance” or “PRS timing” is an instance of a periodically repeating time window (e.g., a set of one or more consecutive time slots) in which a PRS is expected to be sent. A PRS timing may also be referred to as a “PRS positioning timing,” “PRS positioning instance,” “positioning timing,” “positioning instance,” or simply “timing” or “instance.”

[0089] Figure 5 An exemplary PRS configuration 500 for a cell supported by wireless nodes such as base station 102 or satellite 112 is shown. Again, in Figure 5 The text assumes LTE PRS transmission, although... Figure 5 The same or similar aspects of PRS transmission shown and described herein can be applied to NR and / or other wireless technologies. Figure 5 This demonstrates how to use the system frame number (SFN), cell-specific subframe offset (Δ) PRS )552 and PRS cycle (T PRS )520 determines the PRS positioning timing. Typically, the cell-specific PRS subframe configuration is determined by the "PRS configuration index" included in the Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) auxiliary data. PRS To define. PRS period (T) PRS )520 and cell-specific subframe offset (Δ PRS ) is based on PRS configuration index I PRS It is defined as shown in Table 2 below.

[0090]

[0091] Table 2

[0092] The PRS configuration is defined with reference to the system frame number (SFN) of the cell that sent the PRS. For N PRSThe downlink subframe includes the first subframe at the first PRS positioning time, and the PRS instance can satisfy:

[0093]

[0094] Where, n f It is 0≤n f SFN ≤ 1023, n s It is 0≤n s ≤19 are derived from n f The defined time slot number within a radio frame, T PRS It is a PRS period of 520, and Δ PRS It is a cell-specific subframe offset of 552.

[0095] like Figure 5 As shown, the cell-specific subframe offset Δ PRS 552 can be defined based on the number of subframes transmitted from system frame number 0 (time slot '0', marked as time slot 550) to the start of the first (subsequent) PRS positioning timing. Figure 5 In the example, consecutive positioning subframes (N) in each of consecutive PRS positioning times 518a, 518b, and 518c PRS The number of ) is equal to 4. That is, each shadow block representing the PRS positioning time 518a, 518b and 518c represents four subframes.

[0096] In some aspects, when the UE receives the PRS configuration index I in the OTDOA auxiliary data of a specific cell... PRS At that time, the UE can use Table 1 to determine the PRS period T PRS 520 and PRS subframe offset Δ PRS Then, when the PRS is scheduled in the cell, the UE can determine the radio frame, subframe, and time slot (e.g., using equation (1)). The OTDOA auxiliary data can be determined by, for example, location server 170, and includes auxiliary data of the reference cell and multiple neighboring cells supported by various radio nodes.

[0097] Typically, PRS timings from all cells using the same frequency in a network are time-aligned and can have a fixed, known time offset relative to other cells using different frequencies in the network (e.g., a cell-specific subframe offset of 552). In a synchronous SFN network, all radio nodes (e.g., base station 102) can be aligned on frame boundaries and system frame numbers. Therefore, in a synchronous SFN network, all cells supported by various radio nodes can use the same PRS configuration index for any specific frequency of PRS transmission. On the other hand, in an asynchronous SFN network, various radio nodes can be aligned on frame boundaries rather than on system frame numbers. Therefore, in an asynchronous SFN network, the PRS configuration index for each cell can be configured individually by the network, ensuring that PRS timings are time-aligned.

[0098] If UE 104 can obtain the cell timing (e.g., SFN) of at least one cell (e.g., a reference cell or serving cell), then UE 104 can determine the timing of the PRS timing of the reference cell and neighboring cells for OTDOA positioning. UE 104 can then derive the timing of other cells based on, for example, the assumption that the PRS timings of different cells overlap.

[0099] For LTE systems, the subframe sequence used to transmit PRS (e.g., for OTDOA positioning) can be characterized and defined by several parameters as described above, including: (i) reserved bandwidth (BW) blocks, (ii) configuration index I PRS (iii) Duration N PRS (iv) Optional mute mode; and (v) mute sequence period T REP When present, it can be implicitly included as part of the silence mode in (iv). In some cases, the PRS duty cycle is quite low, N PRS =1,T PRS = 160 subframes (equivalent to 160ms), BW = 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 or 20MHz. To increase the PRS duty cycle, N PRS The value can be increased to six (i.e., N). PRS =6), the bandwidth (BW) value can be increased to the system bandwidth (i.e., in the case of LTE, BW = LTE system bandwidth). With a larger N PRS (e.g., greater than six) and / or shorter T PRS (e.g., less than 160ms), up to full duty cycle (i.e., N) PRS =T PRS The extended PRS can also be used in subsequent versions of the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP). The directional PRS can be configured as just described, and can, for example, use a low PRS duty cycle (e.g., N). PRS =1,TPRS =160 subframes) or high duty cycle.

[0100] Figure 6 The DL-OTDOA positioning process in an exemplary wireless communication system 600 according to various aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. Figure 6 In the example, UE 604, which may correspond to any UE described herein, attempts to calculate an estimate of its location or assist another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third-party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its location. UE 604 may wirelessly communicate with multiple satellites 602-1, 602-2, and 602-3 (collectively referred to as satellite 602, and which may correspond to any satellite described herein) using RF signals and standardized protocols for modulation of RF signals and exchange of information packets. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout of the wireless communication system 600 (e.g., base station location, geometry, etc.), UE 604 may determine its location in a predefined reference coordinate system, or assist in determining its location. In one aspect, UE 604 may use a two-dimensional (2D) coordinate system to specify its location; however, the aspects disclosed herein are not limited to this, and a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system may also be used to determine location if additional dimensions are desired. Additionally, although Figure 6 One UE 604 and three satellites 602 are shown, but it will be understood that there can be more UE 604s and more or fewer satellites 602.

[0101] To support location estimation, satellite 602 can be configured to broadcast a location reference signal (e.g., PRS) to UE 604 within its coverage area, enabling UE 604 to measure the characteristics of such a reference signal. For example, the OTDOA positioning method is a multilateral positioning method, in which UE 604 measures the time difference, called the Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), between specific reference signals (e.g., PRS) transmitted by different pairs of satellites 602 and reports these time differences to a location server, such as location server 230 or LMF 270, or calculates the location estimate itself based on these time differences.

[0102] Typically, RSTD is in the reference cell (e.g., in...). Figure 6 In the example, a cell supported by satellite 602-1) and one or more neighboring cells (e.g., in Figure 6In the example, measurements are taken between cells supported by satellites 602-2 and 602-3. For any single location use of OTDOA, the reference cell remains the same for all RSTDs measured by UE 604 and will typically correspond to either the serving cell of UE 604 or another nearby cell with good signal strength at UE 604. On the other hand, neighboring cells are typically cells supported by satellites 602 different from the reference cell and may have good or poor signal strength at UE 604. Location calculations can be based on the measured time difference (e.g., RSTD) and information about network node locations and relative transmission timing (e.g., whether network nodes are precisely synchronized or whether each network node transmits at a known time difference relative to other network nodes).

[0103] To assist in positioning operations, a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) can provide UE 604 with OTDOA auxiliary data for a reference cell and neighboring cells relative to the reference cell. For example, the auxiliary data may include the identifier (e.g., PCI, VCI, Cell Global Identifier (CGI), etc.) of each cell in a set of cells that UE 604 intends to measure (here, cells supported by satellite 602). The auxiliary data may also provide the center channel frequency for each cell, various reference signal configuration parameters (e.g., the number of consecutive positioning subframes, the period of the positioning subframes, silence sequences, frequency hopping sequences, reference signal identifier (ID), reference signal bandwidth), and / or other cell-related parameters applicable to OTDOA. The OTDOA auxiliary data can indicate that the serving cell of UE 604 is the reference cell.

[0104] In some cases, OTDOA auxiliary data may also include an "expected RSTD" parameter, which provides UE 604 with information about the RSTD values ​​that UE 604 expects to measure between the reference cell and each neighboring cell at its current location, as well as the uncertainty of the expected RSTD parameter. The expected RSTD, along with the associated uncertainty, can define a search window for UE 604 within which UE 604 expects to measure RSTD values. OTDOA auxiliary information may also include reference signal configuration information parameters, which allow UE 604 to determine the reference signal timing relative to the reference cell, when the reference signal timing occurs on signals received from each neighboring cell, and the sequence of reference signals transmitted from each cell in order to measure the Time of Arrival (ToA) or RSTD.

[0105] On the one hand, while location servers (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) can send auxiliary data to UE 604, alternatively, the auxiliary data can originate directly from satellite 602 itself (e.g., in periodically broadcast overhead messages, etc.). Alternatively, UE 604 can detect neighboring satellites itself without using auxiliary data.

[0106] UE 604 (e.g., based in part on auxiliary data, if provided) can measure and (optionally) report the RSTD between reference signals received from the pair of satellites 602. Using the RSTD measurements, the known absolute or relative transmission timing of each satellite 602, and the known positions(s) of the reference and neighboring satellites 602, the network (e.g., location server 230 / LMF270) or UE 604 can estimate the position of UE 604. More specifically, the RSTD of a neighboring network node “k” relative to a reference network node “Ref” can be given as (ToA) k –ToA Ref The ToA value can be measured modulo a subframe duration (1 ms) to eliminate the influence of measuring different subframes at different times. Figure 6 In the example, the measurement time difference between the reference cell of satellite 602-1 and the cells of neighboring satellites 602-2 and 602-3 is represented as τ2–τ1 and τ3–τ1, where τ1, τ2, and τ3 represent the ToA of the reference signals from the (multiple) transmit antennas of satellites 602-1, 602-2, and 602-3, respectively. UE 604 can then convert the ToA measurements of different network nodes into RSTD measurements and (optionally) send them to location server 230 / LMF 270. Using (i) RSTD measurements, (ii) the known absolute or relative transmission timing of each network node, (iii) the known locations of the physical TRPs of the reference and neighboring satellites 602, and / or (iv) directional reference signal characteristics such as transmission direction, the location of UE 604 can be determined (by UE 604 or location server 230 / LMF 270).

[0107] Still referencing Figure 6When UE 604 uses OTDOA to measure the time difference to obtain a location estimate, the location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) can provide UE 604 with necessary additional data (e.g., the location of network nodes and relative transmission timing). In some implementations, the location estimate of UE 604 can be obtained (e.g., by UE 604 itself or by location server 230 / LMF 270) from OTDOA measurement of the time difference and from other measurements performed by UE 604 (e.g., measurements of signal timing from GPS or other GNSS satellites). In these implementations, known as hybrid positioning, OTDOA measurements may help obtain the location estimate of UE 604, but may not fully determine the location estimate.

[0108] UE location information can help address several key challenges in 5G, complementing existing and planned technology developments. These challenges include the increasing number of services and devices, the stability of mission-critical services, and the reduction of total energy consumption and latency. UE location information is beneficial for more efficient paging, scheduling, beamforming, multicasting, and more.

[0109] The above reference Figure 6 A method for determining the location of a UE is described. As described above, the UE can measure the difference between the ToAs (i.e., OTDOA) of positioning reference signals (e.g., PRS) from a pair of satellites, and these measurements, together with the known locations of the transmitting satellites, can be used to determine the UE's location using a hyperbolic multilateral algorithm. However, in existing LTE and NR PRS designs, the PRS sequence repeats every 10ms (e.g., the PRS period (T...). PRS (10ms). More specifically, the PRS sequence generator is started by a number that is a function of the number of intra-frame slots, and the duration of a frame is 10ms. Therefore, the PRS sequence repeats once every 10ms.

[0110] For terrestrial networks, this 10ms repetition pattern is not a problem because the UE will always be within the transmitter's 5ms propagation delay in order to detect the PRS from the terrestrial transmitter (e.g., a base station). However, for NTNs, there are cases where the propagation delay between the satellite and the UE may exceed 10ms. This can introduce ambiguity when measuring the ToA of the PRS from the satellite. For example, if there is a 14ms propagation delay between the satellite and the UE, and the PRS sequence repeats every 10ms, the UE will not know whether the PRS propagation delay is 4ms or 14ms. That is, the UE can detect the ToA of the PRS from the satellite as occurring at 4ms in the PRS sequence, but it will not know that the measured PRS actually propagated from the satellite to the UE during the entire 10ms PRS sequence before the start of the PRS measurement sequence.

[0111] like Figure 7 As shown, this becomes even more important when measuring the ToA of PRS from multiple satellites. Figure 7 Figure 700 illustrates the ambiguity of PRS measurements from different satellites, where the PRS period is shorter than the propagation time between the satellite and the receiver (e.g., UE). Figure 7 As shown, satellite A 702 transmits a first PRS sequence 706 that repeats every 10 ms, and satellite B 712 transmits a second PRS sequence 716 that repeats every 10 ms. Satellites A 702 and B 712 begin transmitting their respective PRS sequences simultaneously. However, due to the propagation delay between the satellite and the receiver, the PRS transmissions of the corresponding PRS sequences arrive at the receiver at different times. Note that although... Figure 7 Only two PRS transmissions per PRS sequence (i.e., PRS instance / PRS timing) are shown, but it will be understood that there can be more than two PRS transmissions per sequence.

[0112] To measure the OTDOA of PRS received from satellites A 702 and B 712, the receiver measures the ToA of the first PRS transmission from each satellite's PRS sequence. Figure 7 In the example, the receiver receives the first PRS transmission of PRS sequence 716 from satellite B 712 4 ms before receiving the first PRS transmission of PRS sequence 706 from satellite A 702. Therefore, the actual OTDOA between the PRS from satellite A 702 and the PRS from satellite B 712 is 4 ms. However, PRS sequence 716 from satellite B 712 begins repeating during the measurement PRS sequence 706 from satellite A 702. Thus, the UE does not know whether the first PRS transmission of PRS sequence 716 is the PRS to be measured or the first PRS transmission of the next PRS sequence is the PRS to be measured.

[0113] Therefore, this disclosure provides a technique for adjusting the repetition duration of PRS transmissions in an NTN to eliminate ambiguity caused by conventional PRS repetition durations. As a first technique, the repetition duration of the generated PRS sequence is extended to be longer than the conventional 10 ms. In one aspect, the repetition duration (or sequence duration or PRS period) can be at least twice the maximum differential delay between the receiver (e.g., the UE) and any two satellites. The maximum differential delay is the maximum amount of time expected to occur between receiving / measuring any PRS transmissions of two PRS sequences simultaneously (i.e., starting during the same radio frame) from any two satellites. That is, if the first and second satellites transmit corresponding PRS sequences S1 and S2 on the same two or more radio frames, the maximum differential delay will be the maximum amount of time that may occur between reception / measurement at the receiver of any PRS transmission of sequence S1 and reception / measurement at the receiver of any PRS transmission of sequence S2.

[0114] As a result of ensuring that the repetition duration is at least twice the maximum differential delay, when two PRS sequences are transmitted from two satellites during the same radio frame, the OTDOA between the satellite PRS can be unambiguously determined using one or more PRS transmissions for each PRS sequence, because the PRS sequences will not repeat during the possible propagation time between the satellite and the receiver due to the increased length of the PRS sequences. That is, with Figure 7 Unlike the example shown, the PRS sequences do not begin to repeat within the possible propagation time between the satellite and the receiver because the PRS sequence is at least twice the length of the maximum differential delay. Therefore, OTDOA can be determined using the RSTD between any PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and any PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence.

[0115] The second technique described in this article is to initialize the PRS sequence generator (c) with the initial state of the PRS sequence generator. init This is defined as a function of the frame number or PRS burst index. This ensures that the repetition duration will be greater than the current 10ms period. Note that a PRS burst includes PRS transmissions within the same PRS period. That is, a PRS burst is one or more PRS transmissions within a PRS period. Therefore, a PRS burst is another term for a PRS sequence.

[0116] Below is an example PRS sequence generator function that supports up to 20ms OTDOA between PRS sequences from two different satellites. Assume the following is the original PRS sequence generator function:

[0117]

[0118] Based on the above equation, a new PRS sequence generator function can be created that provides a repetition duration greater than the current 10ms:

[0119]

[0120] In the equation above, It is the PRS identifier (ID), n s It is the time slot number, n rf It is the frame number, and N CP Indicates the CP type.

[0121] The equation above is merely an example. Because the variable n... rf The second equation generates a PRS sequence longer than 10 ms, here 20 ms. Specifically, n rf mod 2 makes the equation repeat every two radio frames or every 20ms. For the repetition duration of radio frames 3 and 4, the variable n... rf These can also be mod 3, mod 4, etc. Note the additional variable in the second equation, namely n. rf It doesn't have to be a variable based on the frame number. Rather, it just needs to be something that doesn't repeat every radio frame.

[0122] Figure 8 Figure 800 illustrates an example of using the extended PRS cycle disclosed herein. Figure 8 As shown, satellite A 802 transmits a first PRS sequence 806 that repeats every 20 ms, and satellite B 812 transmits a second PRS sequence 816 that repeats every 20 ms. PRS sequences 806 and 816 can be generated using, for example, the PRS sequence generator function described above. Satellite A 802 and satellite B 812 begin transmitting their respective PRS sequences simultaneously (i.e., during the same radio frame). However, due to the propagation delay between the satellite and the receiver (e.g., the UE), the PRS transmissions (or PRS timings / instances) of the respective PRS sequences arrive at the receiver at different times. Note that although... Figure 8 Only two PRS transmissions per PRS sequence are shown, but it will be understood that there can be more than two PRS transmissions per sequence.

[0123] exist Figure 8 In the example, it is assumed that the maximum differential delay between satellite A 802 and satellite B 812 is 10 ms. To measure the OTDOA of the PRS received from satellites A 802 and B 812, the receiver measures the ToA of one or more PRS transmissions from each satellite's PRS sequence. Figure 8 In the examples, like Figure 7As in the example, the receiver receives and measures the ToA of the first PRS transmission of PRS sequence 816 from satellite B 812 4 ms before it receives and measures the ToA of the first PRS transmission of PRS sequence 806 from satellite A 802. Therefore, the actual OTDOA between the PRS of satellite A 802 and the PRS of satellite B 812 is 4 ms. Similarly, like Figure 7 As in the example, PRS sequence 816 from satellite B 812 begins to repeat during the measurement PRS sequence 806 from satellite A 802. Therefore, the OTDOA between the PRS of satellite A 802 and the PRS of satellite B 812 could be 16 ms (the difference between the first PRS transmission of PRS sequence 806 and the first PRS transmission of the subsequent PRS sequence). However, since the receiver knows that the maximum effective OTDOA is 10 ms, the receiver can ignore the possible OTDOA of 16 ms, as it is greater than 10 ms.

[0124] Therefore, by using the extended PRS sequence duration, if the receiver (e.g., UE) can calculate two distinct OTDOAs between two transmitters (e.g., satellites), such as Figure 8 As shown, the receiver can ignore OTDOA whose absolute value is greater than the maximum differential delay between the two transmitters. On the other hand, the receiver can receive the maximum differential delay between the two transmitters from a positioning entity (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270).

[0125] As a third technique disclosed herein, the network can indicate the repetition duration of the PRS sequence generation to the receiver (e.g., UE) via a higher-level configuration (e.g., RRC). Alternatively, the network can indicate the repetition duration via SSB or SIB.

[0126] As a fourth technique disclosed herein, the repetition duration of the PRS sequence generation can be (1) the same for all beams of all satellites in the entire satellite communication network, (2) dependent on the location of the receiver (e.g., UE) and / or the involved transmitters (e.g., multiple satellites), (3) dependent on the satellite beams on which the PRS sequence is transmitted, and / or (4) dependent on the altitude of the involved transmitters (multiple satellites). For example, referring to (2), the repetition duration can be different at different latitudes of the multiple satellites. As another example, referring to (4), the repetition duration can be defined independently for low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), high Earth orbit (HEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), etc. Note that for satellite communication, "beam" is equivalent to "cell" in terrestrial wireless communication.

[0127] Figure 9 An exemplary method 900 for locating a receiver device according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Method 900 can be performed by the receiver device (e.g., any UE described herein).

[0128] At 910, the receiver device measures the ToA of the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence transmitted by the first transmitter. The first PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence can be any PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence. In one aspect, operation 910 can be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, the processing system 332, the memory component 340, and / or the positioning module 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0129] At 920, the receiver device measures the ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence transmitted by the second transmitter. The first PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence can be any PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence. In one aspect, operation 920 can be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, the processing system 332, the memory component 340, and / or the positioning module 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0130] At 930, the receiver device determines the OTDOA between the first PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and the first PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence as the difference between the ToA of the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and the ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence. In one aspect, operation 930 can be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, the processing system 332, the memory component 340, and / or the positioning module 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0131] In one respect, the OTDOA is less than the maximum expected differential delay between a pair of PRS transmissions simultaneously transmitted by a pair of transmitter devices during the same radio frame, received at the receiver device. In another respect, the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence is greater than 10 ms and is at least twice the maximum differential delay.

[0132] At 940, the receiver device may optionally report OTDOA to the positioning entity (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270). Operation 940 is optional because the positioning entity may reside on the receiver device. In one aspect, operation 940 may be performed by the WWAN transceiver 310, processing system 332, memory component 340, and / or positioning module 342, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0133] Figure 10An exemplary method 1000 for a positioning receiver device according to aspects of this disclosure is illustrated. Method 1000 can be performed by a transmitter device (e.g., any satellite or other air vehicle described herein).

[0134] At point 1010, the transmitter device generates a first PRS sequence. In one aspect, the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence is greater than 10 ms and is at least twice the maximum differential delay. The maximum differential delay is the maximum amount of time expected to occur between the reception at the receiver device between a pair of PRS transmissions simultaneously transmitted by a pair of transmitter devices during the same radio frame. In one aspect, operation 1010 can be performed by the WWAN transceiver 350, the processing system 384, the memory component 386, and / or the positioning module 388, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing the operation.

[0135] At 1020, the transmitter device sends a PRS sequence to the receiver device. In one aspect, operation 1020 can be performed by the WWAN transceiver 350, the processing system 384, the memory component 386, and / or the positioning module 388, any one or all of which can be considered as components for performing this operation.

[0136] Those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and processes. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips referenced throughout the above description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0137] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in accordance with their functions. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0138] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosed aspects may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0139] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, as a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module can reside in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal (e.g., a UE). Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0140] In one or more exemplary aspects, the described functionality can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented by software, these functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code in a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, with communication media including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that is accessible to a computer. By way of example and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disc storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that is accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection is properly referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave), then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio, and microwave) are all included in the definition of medium. As used herein, disks and optical discs include compact optical discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while optical discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of these should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0141] While the foregoing disclosure illustrates illustrative aspects of this disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made to this document without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the method claims according to the aspects of the disclosure described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of this disclosure may be described or declared in the singular, plural forms are also contemplated unless expressly stated as limited to the singular.

Claims

1. A positioning method performed by a receiver device, comprising: Measure the arrival time ToA of the PRS transmission of the first positioning reference signal (PRS) sequence transmitted by the first transmitter; The ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence transmitted by the second transmitter is measured; and The observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) between the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence is determined as the difference between the ToA of the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and the ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence. Wherein, the OTDOA is less than the expected maximum differential delay between a pair of PRS transmissions received at the receiver device by a pair of transmitter devices during the same radio frame, and wherein the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence is greater than 10 milliseconds (ms) and is at least twice the maximum differential delay; The determination of the OTDOA includes OTDOA whose absolute value is greater than the maximum differential delay, ignoring the OTDOA between the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence and the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence repeated at the repetition duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The repetition durations of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence are received from the network entity.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The repetition duration is received from the network entity in a higher-level configuration, in the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), in the System Information Block (SIB), or any combination thereof.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The network entity is one of the first transmitter and the second transmitter.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The network entity is a location server.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The initial state of the generator function for the first PRS sequence is based on the index of the first PRS sequence or the system frame number.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The initial state is calculated as follows: in, It is the PRS identifier, n s It is the time slot number, n rf It is the frame number, and N CP Indicates the type of the cyclic prefix CP.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, For all beams of all transmitters in the same communication network, the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence is the same.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence depends on the location of the receiver device, the location of the first transmitter, the location of the second transmitter, or any combination thereof.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The repetition durations of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence are different at different latitudes of the first transmitter and / or the second transmitter.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence depends on the beam on which the first PRS sequence is transmitted and / or the beam on which the second PRS sequence is transmitted.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence depends on the altitude of the first transmitter and / or the second transmitter.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence varies depending on whether the first transmitter and / or the second transmitter is in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), high Earth orbit (HEO), or geostationary orbit (GEO).

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Report the OTDOA to the location entity.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The receiver device is a user equipment (UE), and the first transmitter and the second transmitter are satellites or air vehicles.

16. A method for positioning performed by a transmitter device, comprising: A first positioning reference signal (PRS) sequence is generated, wherein the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence is greater than 10 milliseconds (ms) and is at least twice the maximum differential delay, such that, if the absolute value of the observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) is greater than the maximum differential delay, a receiver device measuring the arrival time (ToA) of the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence transmitted by the transmitter device and the ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence transmitted by another transmitter device ignores the OTDOA obtained at the receiver device between the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence transmitted by the other transmitter device and the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence repeated within the repetition duration, wherein the OTDOA is the difference between the arrival time (ToA) of the PRS transmission of the first PRS sequence and the ToA of the PRS transmission of the second PRS sequence, and wherein the maximum differential delay is the maximum amount of time expected to occur between a pair of PRS transmissions simultaneously transmitted by a pair of transmitter devices during the same radio frame received at the receiver device; and The first PRS sequence is sent to the receiver device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence is sent to the receiver device.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The repetition duration is transmitted in a higher-level configuration, in the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), in the System Information Block (SIB), or in any combination thereof.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein, The initial state of the generator function for the first PRS sequence is based on the index of the first PRS sequence or the system frame number.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The initial state is calculated as follows: in, It is the PRS identifier, n s It is the time slot number, n rf It is the frame number, and N CP Indicates the type of the cyclic prefix CP.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein, For all beams of all transmitters in the same communication network, the repetition duration of the first PRS sequence and the second PRS sequence is the same.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence depends on the location of the receiver device and / or the location of the transmitter device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence is different at different latitudes of the transmitter device.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence depends on the beam on which the first PRS sequence is transmitted.

25. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence depends on the altitude of the transmitter device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The repetition duration of the first PRS sequence depends on whether the transmitter device is in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), high Earth orbit (HEO), or geostationary orbit (GEO).

27. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The receiver device is a user equipment (UE), and the transmitter device is a satellite or air vehicle.

28. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and a memory coupled to said at least one processor, said at least one processor and memory being configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

29. An apparatus comprising components for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

30. A computer-readable medium comprising at least one instruction for causing a computer or processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

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