Communication method and communication apparatus for positioning

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a communication method and communication device for positioning. The method comprises: a positioning device sends a request to an access network device, the request is used to request the cell type information of the access network device; the cell type comprises: indoor cell or outdoor cell; or, the cell type comprises any one of the following: macro station cell, micro cell or lamp station cell; the positioning device receives the cell type information from the access network device. The request can be sent to the access network device through a transmission reception point (TRP) information request message, and the cell type information is received through a TRP information response message. The TRP information request message can comprise a TRP information type item, and the cell type information of the access network device can be requested through the TRP information type item. The positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for a terminal device by referring to the cell type information, so as to ensure the positioning accuracy of the terminal device and improve the positioning performance.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the communication technology field, and particularly relates to a communication method and a communication device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The positioning function is an important function of the 5G new radio (NR). At present, the location management function (LMF) device acquires the location information of the cell where the terminal device is located to perform positioning. How to improve the positioning performance is a problem worth considering. SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device to improve the positioning performance.

[0004] The first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0005] The positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request the cell type information of the access network device. Then, the positioning device receives the cell type information from the access network device. The cell type includes an indoor cell or an outdoor cell. Alternatively, the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell.

[0006] From the above scheme, the positioning device acquires the cell type information from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the cell type information. Thus, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the positioning method includes a wireless access technology-based positioning method, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning method, etc. The cell of the access network device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment. The access network device informs the positioning device of the type of each cell of the access network device through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell. The macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and the small station, the micro station and the lamp station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the access network device indirectly informs the positioning device whether the cell belongs to an outdoor cell or an indoor cell through the macro station cell, the micro cell or the lamp station cell.

[0007] For example, the GNSS signal is very weak in an indoor environment, and therefore the GNSS positioning method is not suitable for the terminal device in the indoor environment. If the positioning device determines that the terminal device is in the indoor environment, the positioning device can select the wireless access technology-based positioning method for the terminal device. For example, the GNSS positioning method is more suitable for an outdoor scenario. The terminal device is in the outdoor environment, the interval distance of the base station is relatively large, and the GNSS signal is relatively strong. Therefore, the positioning device can select the GNSS positioning method for the terminal device.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the positioning device sends the request to the access network device, including: the positioning device sends the request to the access network device through a transmission reception point (TRP) information request message. The positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device, including: the positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device through a TRP information response message.

[0009] In this possible implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the information of the cell type of the access network device through the TRP information request. In this way, no new message needs to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved. Moreover, the TRP information can include the information of the cell, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request of the positioning device. Moreover, the positioning device can determine, in combination with the TRP information, which cell type information the information of the cell type is. The positioning device does not need to indicate which cell type information is specifically requested through other indication signaling or indication fields. The access network device also does not need to indicate which cell type information is specifically provided through other indication signaling or indication fields. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item. The request is used to request the information of the cell type, including: the information of the cell type is requested through the TRP information type item.

[0011] In this possible implementation, the TRP information type item is used to list the TRP information requested by the positioning device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the information of the cell type from the access network device through the TRP information type item. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information request message is relatively concise. The positioning device requests the information of the cell type through the TRP information type item in the TRP information request message, that is, a specific request manner is provided. Moreover, the TRP information type item lists the TRP information requested by the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. The positioning device requests the information of the cell type from the access network device through the TRP information type item. The positioning device does not need to indicate which cell type information is specifically requested through other indication fields or indication signaling. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the TRP information response message includes TRP information, and the information of the cell type of the access network device is carried in the TRP information.

[0013] In the possible implementation, the access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device through the TRP information in the TRP information response message. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information response message is relatively concise. The access network device carries the information of the cell type through the TRP information in the TRP information response message, that is, a specific carrying manner is provided. In addition, the TRP information listed in the TRP information is the TRP information provided by the access network device to the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the information of the cell type is placed in the TRP information. In this way, it is beneficial for the positioning device to analyze the information of the cell type. The access network device does not need to indicate through other indication fields or indication instructions which cell type information is specifically provided. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0014] In another possible implementation, when the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell, the request is further used to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device.

[0015] In the possible implementation, the positioning device can further request indoor or outdoor information of a cell from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device in combination with the indoor or outdoor information of the cell and the information of the cell type, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. The positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0016] The second aspect of the embodiment of the application provides a communication method, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0017] The access network device receives a request from the positioning device. The request is used to request information of a cell type of the access network device. The access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device. The cell type includes an indoor cell or an outdoor cell. Alternatively, the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0018] As known from the above scheme, the access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device. In this way, the positioning device can refer to the information of the cell type to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the access network device receives a request from the positioning device, including: the access network device receives the request from the positioning device through a TRP information request message. The access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device, including: the access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device through a TRP information response message.

[0020] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the information of the cell type from the access network device through the TRP information request. In this way, no new message needs to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved. Moreover, the TRP information can include the information of the cell, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request of the positioning device. The positioning device does not need to indicate the specific information of the type of which cell through other indication signaling or indication field. The access network device also does not need to indicate the specific information of the type of which cell provided through other indication signaling or indication field. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0021] In another possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item. The request is used to request the information of the cell type of the access network device, and includes: requesting the information of the cell type of the access network device through the TRP information type item.

[0022] In the possible implementation, the TRP information type item is used to list the TRP information requested by the positioning device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the information of the cell type from the access network device through the TRP information type item. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information request message is relatively concise. The positioning device requests the information of the cell type through the TRP information type item, that is, a specific request mode is provided. Moreover, the TRP information type item lists the TRP information requested by the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the positioning device requests the information of the cell type through the TRP information type item, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request of the positioning device. The access network device can understand that the positioning device requests the information of the type of the cell included in the TRP information. The positioning device does not need to indicate the specific information of the type of which cell through other indication field or indication instruction. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0023] In another possible implementation, the TRP information response message includes the TRP information, and the information of the cell type of the access network device is carried in the TRP information.

[0024] In the possible implementation, the access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device through the TRP information in the TRP information response message. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information response message is relatively concise. The access network device carries the information of the cell type through the TRP information in the TRP information response message, that is, a specific carrying manner is provided. In addition, the TRP information listed in the TRP information is the TRP information provided by the access network device to the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the information of the cell type is placed in the TRP information. In this way, the positioning device can understand that the information of the cell type is the type information of the cell included in the TRP information. The access network device does not need to indicate through other indication fields or indication instructions which type information of which cell or cells is specifically provided. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0025] In another possible implementation, in the case where the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell, the request is further used to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device.

[0026] In the possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device in combination with the indoor or outdoor information of the cell and the information of the cell type, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. The positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0027] The third aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0028] The positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device. The positioning device receives information of a cell type from the access network device.

[0029] As known from the above solution, the positioning device obtains the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the indoor or outdoor information of the cell. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the positioning method includes a positioning method based on a radio access technology, a GNSS positioning method, and the like. In a possible implementation, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device, including: the positioning device sends a request to the access network device through a TRP information request message. The positioning device receives the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device, including: the positioning device receives the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through a TRP information response message.

[0030] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through the TRP information request. In this way, no new message needs to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved. Moreover, the TRP information can include the information of the cell, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request of the positioning device. Moreover, the positioning device can determine the indoor or outdoor information of which cell in combination with the TRP information. The positioning device does not need to indicate the indoor or outdoor information of which cell through other indication signaling or indication field. The access network device also does not need to indicate the indoor or outdoor information of which cell provided through other indication instruction or indication field. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0031] In another possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item. The request is used to request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is requested through the TRP information type item.

[0032] In the possible implementation, the TRP information type item is used to list the TRP information requested by the positioning device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through the TRP information type item. In this way, no new information element needs to be redefined, and the information element of the TRP information request message is relatively concise. The positioning device requests the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information type item in the TRP information request message, that is, a specific request mode is provided. Moreover, the TRP information type item lists the TRP information requested by the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. The positioning device requests the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through the TRP information type item. The positioning device does not need to indicate the indoor or outdoor information of which cell requested through other indication field or indication instruction. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0033] In another possible implementation, the TRP information response message includes TRP information, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information.

[0034] In the possible implementation, the access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device through the TRP information in the TRP information response message. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information response message is relatively concise. The access network device carries the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information in the TRP information response message, that is, a specific carrying manner is provided. In addition, the TRP information listed in the TRP information is the TRP information provided by the access network device to the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is placed in the TRP information. In this way, it is beneficial for the positioning device to analyze the indoor or outdoor information of the cell. The access network device does not need to indicate through other indication fields or indication instructions which indoor or outdoor information of which cell is specifically provided. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0035] In another possible implementation, the request is further used to request the cell type information of the access network device.

[0036] In the possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the cell type information of the access network device from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device in combination with the indoor or outdoor information of the cell and the cell type information, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. The positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0037] The fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0038] The access network device receives a request from the positioning device. The request is used to request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device. The access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device.

[0039] As known from the above solution, the access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the indoor or outdoor information of the cell. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the positioning method includes a positioning method based on a radio access technology, a GNSS positioning method, and the like. In a possible implementation, the access network device receives a request from the positioning device, including: the access network device receives the request from the positioning device through a TRP information request message. The access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device, including: the access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device through a TRP information response message.

[0040] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through the TRP information request. In this way, no new message needs to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved. Moreover, the TRP information can include the information of the cell, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request of the positioning device. The positioning device does not need to indicate the indoor or outdoor information of which cell through other indication signaling or indication field. The access network device also does not need to indicate the indoor or outdoor information of which cell through other indication signaling or indication field. In this way, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0041] In another possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item. The request is used to request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is requested through the TRP information type item.

[0042] In the possible implementation, the TRP information type item is used to list the TRP information requested by the positioning device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through the TRP information type item. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information request message is relatively concise. The positioning device requests the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information type item, that is, a specific request mode is provided. Moreover, the TRP information type item lists the TRP information requested by the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the positioning device requests the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information type item, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request of the positioning device. The access network device can understand that the indoor or outdoor information of the cell included in the TRP information is requested by the positioning device. The positioning device does not need to indicate the indoor or outdoor information of which cell through other indication field or indication instruction. In this way, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0043] In another possible implementation, the TRP information response message includes the TRP information, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information.

[0044] In the possible implementation, the access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device through the TRP information in the TRP information response message. In this way, no new information element needs to be defined, and the information element of the TRP information response message is relatively concise. The access network device carries the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information in the TRP information response message, that is, a specific carrying manner is provided. In addition, the TRP information listed in the TRP information is the TRP information provided by the access network device to the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the information of the cell type is placed in the TRP information. In this way, the positioning device can understand that the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is the indoor or outdoor information of the cell included in the TRP information. The access network device does not need to indicate through other indication fields or indication instructions which indoor or outdoor information of which cell is specifically provided. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0045] In another possible implementation, the request is further used to request the cell type information of the access network device, and the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0046] In the possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the cell type information from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the cell and the cell type information, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. The positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0047] The fifth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0048] The terminal device receives a request from the positioning device. The request is used to request first information. The first information includes indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. The terminal device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device to the positioning device.

[0049] As known from the above solution, the terminal device sends first information to the positioning device. After obtaining the first information, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the first information. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the positioning method includes a positioning method based on a radio access technology, a GNSS positioning method, and the like.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the request is used to request the first information, including: the request is used to request the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0051] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when indoor or outdoor information changes. The positioning device can select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in time according to the first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning.

[0052] In another possible implementation, the terminal device receives the request from the positioning device, including that the terminal device receives the request from the positioning device through a request location information message. The terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device, including that the terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device through a provide location information message.

[0053] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the first information from the terminal device through a location information request. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0054] In another possible implementation, the request location information message includes a public information element request positioning information; and the request is used to request the first information, including that the first information is requested through the public information element request positioning information.

[0055] In the above implementation, the positioning device requests the first information through the public information element request positioning information. A new information element does not need to be defined, so that the information elements included in the request location information message are relatively simple. The public information element request positioning information is usually used to list the positioning information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device. The positioning device can request the first information through the public information element request positioning information. In this way, it is helpful for the terminal device to parse the request of the positioning device through the public information element request positioning information. Then the terminal device provides the first information for the positioning device.

[0056] In another possible implementation, the public information element request positioning information includes a trigger reporting condition; and the request of the first information through the public information element request positioning information includes that the first information is requested through the trigger reporting condition.

[0057] In the above implementation, the positioning device requests the first information through the trigger reporting condition, and the trigger reporting condition is a sub-information element in the public information element request positioning information, which provides a request manner of the first information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be defined, so that the information element structure of the request location information message is relatively simple. Further, the trigger reporting condition is usually used to indicate some network behaviors of the terminal device when the reporting condition is met. Therefore, the positioning device requests the first information through the trigger reporting condition, so that the terminal device can understand that the first information is reported when the reporting condition is met. In this way, the reporting condition does not need to be additionally indicated through other indication fields or indication signaling, so that signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0058] In another possible implementation, the providing location information message includes a common information element providing location information, and the first information is carried in the common information element providing location information.

[0059] In the above implementation, the common information element providing location information is used to list the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the first information to the positioning device through the common information element providing location information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be redefined, so that the structure of the information element of the providing location information message is relatively simple. The terminal device provides the first information to the positioning device through the common information element providing location information. This is helpful for the positioning device to parse and read the first information.

[0060] In another possible implementation, the providing location information message includes a new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information, and the first information is carried in the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information.

[0061] In the above implementation, the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information is used to list the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can report the first information to the positioning device through the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be redefined, so that the structure of the information element of the providing location information message is relatively simple. The terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device through the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information. This is helpful for the positioning device to parse the first information.

[0062] In another possible implementation, the first information further includes indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0063] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves positioning accuracy and enhances positioning performance.

[0064] In another possible implementation, the first information further includes information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0065] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located. This is helpful for the positioning device to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves positioning accuracy and enhances positioning performance.

[0066] In another possible implementation, the cell type includes any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0067] In this possible implementation, the cell in which the terminal device is located can be indoors or outdoors. The terminal device informs the positioning device of the type of the cell in which the terminal device is located through an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0068] In another possible implementation, the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a light station cell.

[0069] In this possible implementation, a macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and a micro station, a micro station, and a light station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the terminal device indirectly informs the positioning device of whether the cell in which the terminal device is located is an indoor cell or an outdoor cell through the above implementation.

[0070] The sixth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method includes:

[0071] The positioning device sends a request to the terminal device, and the request is used to request first information. The first information includes indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. The positioning device receives the first information from the terminal device.

[0072] As known from the above scheme, the positioning device obtains the first information from the terminal device. In this way, after obtaining the first information, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the first information. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the positioning method includes a positioning method based on a radio access technology and a GNSS positioning method. The GNSS positioning method is usually more suitable for an outdoor scenario.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the request is used to request the first information, and includes: the request is used to request the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0074] In this possible implementation, the positioning device requests the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. In this way, the positioning device can select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in a timely manner according to the first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning.

[0075] In another possible implementation, the positioning device sends a request to the terminal device, and includes: the positioning device sends the request to the terminal device through a request location information message. The positioning device receives the first information from the terminal device, and includes: the positioning device receives a provide location information message from the terminal device, and the provide location information message includes the first information.

[0076] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the first information from the terminal device through the location information request. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0077] In another possible implementation, the request location information message includes a common information element for requesting location information; and the request is for requesting the first information, including requesting the first information through the common information element for requesting location information.

[0078] In the above implementation, the positioning device requests the first information through the common information element for requesting location information. A new information element does not need to be defined, so that the information elements included in the request location information message are relatively simple. The common information element for requesting location information is generally used to list the location information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device. The positioning device can request the first information through the common information element for requesting location information. In this way, it is helpful for the terminal device to parse the request of the positioning device through the common information element for requesting location information. Then the terminal device provides the first information for the positioning device.

[0079] In another possible implementation, the common information element for requesting location information includes a trigger reporting condition. The request of the first information through the common information element for requesting location information includes requesting the first information through the trigger reporting condition.

[0080] In the above implementation, the positioning device requests the first information through the trigger reporting condition, and the trigger reporting condition is a sub-information element in the common information element for requesting location information, which provides a request manner of the first information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be defined, so that the information element structure of the request location information message is relatively simple. Further, the trigger reporting condition is generally used to indicate some network behaviors of the terminal device when the reporting condition is met. Therefore, the positioning device requests the first information from the terminal device through the trigger reporting condition. Thus, the information requested by the terminal device to report the first information to the positioning device when the reporting condition is met is realized. In this way, the reporting condition information of the first information does not need to be indicated through an additional other indication field or indication signaling. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0081] In another possible implementation, the provide location information message includes a common information element for providing location information, and the first information is carried in the common information element for providing location information.

[0082] In the above implementation, the common information element for providing location information is used to list the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the first information to the positioning device through the common information element for providing location information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be redefined, so that the information element structure of the provide location information message is relatively simple. The terminal device provides the first information to the positioning device through the common information element for providing location information. This is helpful for the positioning device to parse the first information.

[0083] In another possible implementation, the providing location information message comprises a new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information, and the first information is carried in the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information.

[0084] In the above implementation, the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information is used to list the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can report the first information to the positioning device through the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be redefined, so that the information element structure of the providing location information message is relatively simple. The terminal device provides the first information to the positioning device through the new radio enhanced cell identity providing location information. This is conducive to the positioning device to analyze the first information.

[0085] In another possible implementation, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0086] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves the positioning accuracy and enhances the positioning performance.

[0087] In another possible implementation, the first information further comprises information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0088] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located from the access network device. The positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located. This enables the positioning device to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves the positioning accuracy and enhances the positioning performance.

[0089] In another possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0090] In this possible implementation, the cell where the terminal device is located can be deployed indoors or outdoors. The terminal device informs the positioning device of the type of the cell where the terminal device is located through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell.

[0091] In another possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located comprises any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0092] In the possible implementation, the macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and the small station, micro station and lamp station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the terminal device indirectly informs the positioning device whether the cell where the terminal device is located belongs to an indoor cell or an outdoor cell through the above implementation.

[0093] The seventh aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which comprises the following steps:

[0094] The terminal device receives a request message from the positioning device. The request message is used to request a GNSS measurement quantity or a GNSS positioning position. The terminal device sends a reply message to the positioning device. The reply message comprises second information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal device is suitable for GNSS measurement.

[0095] According to the above scheme, the positioning device obtains the second information. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the second information. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the positioning method comprises a positioning method based on a radio access technology and a GNSS positioning method.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0097] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. For example, because the indoor GNSS signal is relatively weak, if the terminal device is indoors, the positioning device can reselect a positioning method based on a radio access technology for the terminal device. If the terminal device is outdoors, the GNSS signal quality is good, and therefore the positioning device can maintain the use of the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0098] In another possible implementation, the second information comprises information of a cell type where the terminal device is located; the cell type comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type comprises any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell.

[0099] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located. In the two possible implementation modes of the cell type, the macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and the small station, micro station and lamp station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the terminal device indirectly informs the positioning device whether the cell where the terminal device is located belongs to an indoor cell or an outdoor cell through the above implementation mode. Alternatively, the cell where the terminal device is located can be deployed indoors or outdoors. The terminal device informs the positioning device of the cell type where the terminal device is located through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell.

[0100] In another possible implementation, the second information includes indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0101] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0102] In another possible implementation, the second information includes quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0103] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity. For example, the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity indicates that the measurement accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is high or the measurement result is accurate, and the positioning device can maintain the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0104] In another possible implementation, the second information includes availability of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0105] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity. For example, the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is high, and the positioning device can maintain the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0106] In another possible implementation, the second information includes credibility of the GNSS positioning position.

[0107] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the credibility of the GNSS positioning position, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the credibility of the GNSS positioning position.

[0108] In another possible implementation, the second information includes whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0109] In this possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than the preset threshold, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than the preset threshold. For example, when the GNSS signal strength is greater than the preset threshold, the positioning device can determine that the terminal device receives a relatively large GNSS signal strength, and the positioning device can maintain the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0110] In another possible implementation, the second information includes the number of visible satellites.

[0111] In this possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the number of visible satellites, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the number of visible satellites. For example, when the number of visible satellites is greater than 4, the positioning device can maintain the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0112] In another possible implementation, the request message includes third information, and the third information is used to request the second information.

[0113] In this possible implementation, the positioning device requests the second information from the terminal device through the third information included in the request message. The terminal device can provide the second information for the positioning device according to the third information. After the positioning device obtains the second information, the positioning device can select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the second information, thereby ensuring high-precision positioning.

[0114] In another possible implementation, the request message is a request location information message, and the reply message is a provided location information message.

[0115] In this possible implementation, the positioning device requests and obtains the second information from the terminal device through the location information request. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0116] In another possible implementation, the request location information message includes GNSS request location information. The third information is used to request the second information, and includes: requesting the second information through the GNSS request location information.

[0117] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests the second information through the GNSS request location information. The GNSS request location information is an information element in the request location information message, that is, a request manner of the second information is provided. In this way, a new information element does not need to be defined, and the information element structure of the request location information message is relatively simple. The GNSS request location information is generally used to list the location information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the second information through the GNSS request location information, which is helpful for the terminal device to analyze the request of the positioning device.

[0118] In another possible implementation, the provided location information message includes GNSS provided location information. The second information is carried in the GNSS provided location information.

[0119] In the above implementation, the positioning device carries the second information through an information element in the provided location information message, a new information element does not need to be defined, and the information element structure of the provided location information message is relatively simple. In addition, the GNSS provided location information lists the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the second information to the positioning device through the GNSS provided location information. In this way, it is helpful for the positioning device to analyze the second information.

[0120] An eighth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0121] The positioning device sends a request message to the terminal device. The request message is used to request a GNSS measurement quantity or a GNSS positioning position. The positioning device receives a reply message from the terminal device. The reply message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the terminal device is suitable for GNSS measurement.

[0122] As can be known from the above scheme, the positioning device obtains the second information. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device according to the second information. Therefore, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0123] In a possible implementation, the second information includes indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0124] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. For example, because the indoor GNSS signal is relatively weak, if the terminal device is in the indoor, the positioning device can reselect a positioning method based on a wireless access technology for the terminal device. If the terminal device is in the outdoor, the GNSS signal quality is good, and therefore the positioning device can maintain using the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0125] In another possible implementation, the second information comprises information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located; the cell type comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type comprises any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell.

[0126] In this possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located. And in the two possible implementations of the cell type, the macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and the small station, micro station and lamp station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the terminal device indirectly informs the positioning device whether the cell in which the terminal device is located is an outdoor cell or an indoor cell through the above implementation. Alternatively, the cell in which the terminal device is located can be deployed indoors or outdoors. The terminal device informs the positioning device of the cell type in which the terminal device is located through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell.

[0127] In another possible implementation, the second information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0128] In this possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the terminal device is located, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0129] In another possible implementation, the second information comprises quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0130] In this possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity. For example, if the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity indicates that the measurement accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is high or the measurement result of the GNSS measurement quantity is accurate, the positioning device can keep using the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0131] In another possible implementation, the second information comprises availability of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0132] In this possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity. For example, if the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is high, the positioning device can keep using the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0133] In another possible implementation, the second information comprises credibility of the GNSS positioning position.

[0134] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the credibility of the GNSS positioning position, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the credibility of the GNSS positioning position.

[0135] In another possible implementation, the second information includes whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0136] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a preset threshold, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a preset threshold. For example, when the GNSS signal strength is greater than the preset threshold, the positioning device can determine that the terminal device receives a relatively large GNSS signal strength, and the positioning device can keep using the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0137] In another possible implementation, the second information includes the number of visible satellites.

[0138] In the possible implementation, after the positioning device obtains the number of visible satellites, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device based on the number of visible satellites. For example, when the number of visible satellites is greater than 4, the positioning device can keep using the GNSS positioning method to position the terminal device.

[0139] In another possible implementation, the request message includes third information, and the third information is used to request the second information.

[0140] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests the second information from the terminal device through the third information included in the request message. The terminal device can provide the second information for the positioning device according to the third information. After the positioning device obtains the second information, the positioning device can select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the second information. Thus, high-precision positioning is ensured.

[0141] In another possible implementation, the request message is a request location information message, and the reply message is a provided location information message.

[0142] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests and obtains the second information from the terminal device through a location information request. Thus, a new message does not need to be defined, and thus the practicability of the scheme is improved. The positioning device requests the second information from the terminal device in the positioning process of the terminal device. Thus, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0143] In another possible implementation, the request location information message includes GNSS request location information. The third information is used to request the second information, and includes: requesting the second information through the GNSS request location information.

[0144] In the possible implementation, the positioning device requests the second information through the GNSS request location information. The GNSS request location information is an information element in the request location information message, that is, a request manner of providing the second information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be defined, and the information element structure of the request location information message is relatively simple. The GNSS request location information is generally used to list the location information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the second information through the GNSS request location information, which helps the terminal device to analyze the request of the positioning device.

[0145] In another possible implementation, the provided location information message includes GNSS provided location information. The second information is carried in the GNSS provided location information.

[0146] In the above implementation, the positioning device carries the second information through an information element in the provided location information message, a new information element does not need to be redefined, and the information element structure of the provided location information message is relatively simple. In addition, the GNSS provided location information lists the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the second information to the positioning device through the GNSS provided location information. In this way, it is helpful for the positioning device to analyze the second information.

[0147] The ninth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises:

[0148] The positioning device sends a request to the access network device, and the request is used to request the first information. The first information includes indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. The positioning device receives the first information from the access network device.

[0149] From the above solution, it can be known that the positioning device obtains the first information from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the first information, so as to improve the positioning accuracy and improve the positioning performance. For example, the positioning method includes a positioning method based on a radio access technology, a GNSS positioning method, and the like.

[0150] In a possible implementation, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device, including: the positioning device sends a request to the access network device through a positioning information request message; and the positioning device receives the first information from the access network device, including: the positioning device receives a positioning information response message from the access network device, and the positioning information response message includes the first information.

[0151] In the above implementation, the positioning device requests and obtains the first information from the access network device through the positioning information request. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the solution is improved.

[0152] In another possible implementation, the requesting for the first information comprises: requesting for the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0153] In this possible implementation, the positioning device requests the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. This facilitates the positioning device to determine the first information. The positioning device can select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in time according to the first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning.

[0154] In another possible implementation, the method further comprises: when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the positioning device receives a positioning information update message from the access network device, the positioning information update message comprising the changed first information.

[0155] In the above implementation, when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the positioning device can obtain the changed first information through the positioning information update message. This facilitates the positioning device to select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in time according to the changed first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning. Moreover, a specific carrying manner of the changed first information is provided.

[0156] In another possible implementation, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0157] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves positioning precision and enhances positioning performance.

[0158] In another possible implementation, the first information further comprises information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0159] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located, so as to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves positioning precision and enhances positioning performance.

[0160] In another possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0161] In the possible implementation, the cell of the access network device can be deployed indoors or outdoors. The access network device informs the positioning device of the type of each cell of the access network device through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell.

[0162] In another possible implementation, the cell type in which the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0163] In the possible implementation, the macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and the small station, the micro station, and the lamp station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the access network device indirectly informs the positioning device of whether the cell belongs to an indoor cell or an outdoor cell through the above implementation.

[0164] The tenth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0165] The access network device receives a request from the positioning device, and the request is used to request first information. The first information includes indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. The access network device sends the first information to the positioning device.

[0166] As known from the above scheme, the access network device sends the first information to the positioning device. In this way, the positioning device can refer to the first information to select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device, thereby improving the positioning accuracy and improving the positioning performance. For example, the positioning method includes a positioning method based on a radio access technology and a GNSS positioning method.

[0167] In a possible implementation, the access network device receives the request from the positioning device, including: the access network device receives the request from the positioning device through a positioning information request message. The access network device sends the first information to the positioning device, including: the access network device sends a positioning information response message to the positioning device, and the positioning information response message includes the first information.

[0168] In the above implementation, the positioning device requests and acquires the first information from the access network device through the positioning information request. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0169] In another possible implementation, the request is used to request the first information, including: the request is used to request the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0170] In the possible implementation, the access network device sends the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. This is conducive to the positioning device determining the first information. The positioning device can conveniently select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in a timely manner according to the first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning.

[0171] In another possible implementation, the method further includes: when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the access network device sends a positioning information update message to the positioning device, and the positioning information update message includes the changed first information.

[0172] In the above implementation, the access network device can send the changed first information to the positioning device through the positioning information update message. This facilitates the positioning device to select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in a timely manner to ensure high-precision positioning. Moreover, a specific carrying manner of the changed first information is provided.

[0173] In another possible implementation, the first information further includes indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0174] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, thereby selecting a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves positioning accuracy and enhances positioning performance.

[0175] In another possible implementation, the first information further includes information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0176] In this possible implementation, the positioning device can further request the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can more accurately determine the indoor or outdoor situation of the terminal device by combining the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device and the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located, thereby selecting a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device. This improves positioning accuracy and enhances positioning performance.

[0177] In another possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0178] In this possible implementation, the cells of the access network device can be deployed indoors or outdoors. The access network device informs the positioning device of the type of each cell of the access network device through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell.

[0179] In another possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0180] In this possible implementation, a macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and a small station, a micro station, and a lamp station are usually deployed indoors. Therefore, the access network device indirectly informs the positioning device whether the cell belongs to an indoor cell or an outdoor cell through the above implementation.

[0181] An eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0182] a sending unit configured to send a request to an access network device, the request being used to request information of a cell type of the access network device; the cell type comprises an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type comprises any one of a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell;

[0183] a receiving unit configured to receive the information of the cell type from the access network device.

[0184] In a possible implementation form, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the request to the access network device through a TRP information request message; and the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a TRP information response message from the access network device, the TRP information response message comprising the information of the cell type.

[0185] In another possible implementation form, the TRP information request message comprises a TRP information type item; and the request for the information of the cell type of the access network device comprises a request for the information of the cell type of the access network device through the TRP information type item.

[0186] In another possible implementation form, the TRP information response message comprises TRP information, and the information of the cell type of the access network device is carried in the TRP information.

[0187] In another possible implementation form, in the case where the cell type comprises any one of the macro station cell, the micro cell or the lamp station cell, the request is further used to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device.

[0188] The technical effects brought by the eleventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by the first aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation forms of the eleventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation forms of the first aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0189] A twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0190] a receiving unit configured to receive a request from a positioning device, the request being used to request information of a cell type of an access network device; the cell type comprises an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type comprises any one of a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell;

[0191] a sending unit configured to send the information of the cell type to the positioning device.

[0192] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the request for positioning through a TRP information request message; and the sending unit is specifically configured to send a TRP information response message to the positioning device, the TRP information response message including the information of the cell type.

[0193] In another possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item; and the request for the information of the cell type of the access network device includes: requesting the information of the cell type through the TRP information type item.

[0194] In another possible implementation, the TRP information response message includes TRP information, and the information of the cell type of the access network device is carried in the TRP information.

[0195] In another possible implementation, when the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell, the request is further used to request indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device.

[0196] The technical effects brought by the twelfth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by the second aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the twelfth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0197] The thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device including:

[0198] The sending unit is configured to send a request to the access network device, the request being used to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device.

[0199] The receiving unit is configured to receive the indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device.

[0200] In a possible implementation, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the request to the access network device through a TRP information request message; and the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a TRP information response message from the access network device, the TRP information response message including the indoor or outdoor information of the cell.

[0201] In another possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item; and the request for the indoor or outdoor information of the cell includes: requesting the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information type item.

[0202] In another possible implementation, the TRP information response message includes TRP information, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information.

[0203] In another possible implementation manner, the request is further used for requesting information of a cell type of the access network device.

[0204] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type comprises: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0205] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type comprises any one of: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell.

[0206] The technical effects brought by the thirteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the third aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the thirteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0207] The fourteenth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, and the communication device comprises:

[0208] A receiving unit is configured to receive a request from a positioning device, and the request is used for requesting indoor or outdoor information of a cell of an access network device.

[0209] A sending unit is configured to send the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device.

[0210] In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the request from the positioning device through a TRP information request message; and the sending unit is specifically configured to send a TRP information response message to the positioning device, and the TRP information response message comprises the indoor or outdoor information of the cell.

[0211] In another possible implementation manner, the TRP information request message comprises a TRP information type item; and the request for the indoor or outdoor information of the cell comprises: requesting the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information type item.

[0212] In another possible implementation manner, the TRP information response message comprises TRP information, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information.

[0213] In another possible implementation manner, the request is further used for requesting information of a cell type of the access network device.

[0214] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type comprises: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0215] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type comprises any one of: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell.

[0216] The technical effects brought by the fourteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fourth aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which will not be described here.

[0217] The fifteenth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0218] a receiving unit configured to receive a request from a positioning device, the request being used to request first information; the first information comprising indoor or outdoor information of the communication device;

[0219] a sending unit configured to send the first information to the positioning device.

[0220] In a possible implementation manner, the request is used to request the first information, and the request comprises a request for the communication device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information changes.

[0221] In another possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the request from the positioning device through a request location information message; and the sending unit is specifically configured to send a provide location information message to the positioning device, the provide location information message comprising the first information.

[0222] In another possible implementation manner, the request location information message comprises a public information element request location information; and the request is used to request the first information, and the request comprises a request for the first information through the public information element request location information.

[0223] In another possible implementation manner, the public information element request location information comprises a trigger reporting condition; and the request for the first information through the public information element request location information comprises a request for the first information through the trigger reporting condition.

[0224] In another possible implementation manner, the provide location information message comprises a public information element provide location information, and the first information is carried in the public information element provide location information.

[0225] In another possible implementation manner, the provide location information message comprises a new radio enhanced cell identity provide location information, and the first information is carried in the new radio enhanced cell identity provide location information.

[0226] In another possible implementation manner, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell in which a terminal device is located.

[0227] In another possible implementation manner, the first information further comprises information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located.

[0228] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0229] In another possible implementation, the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0230] The technical effects brought by the fifteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fifth aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the fifteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0231] The sixteenth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0232] The sending unit is configured to send a request to the terminal device, the request being used to request first information, the first information comprising indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0233] The receiving unit is configured to receive the first information from the terminal device.

[0234] In a possible implementation, the request is used to request the first information, and the request comprises a request for the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0235] In another possible implementation, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the request to the terminal device through a request location information message; and the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a provide location information message from the terminal device, the provide location information message comprising the first information.

[0236] In another possible implementation, the request location information message comprises a public information element request positioning information, and the request is used to request the first information, and the request comprises a request for the first information through the public information element request positioning information.

[0237] In another possible implementation, the public information element request positioning information comprises a trigger reporting condition, and the request for the first information through the public information element request positioning information comprises a request for the first information through the trigger reporting condition.

[0238] In another possible implementation, the provide location information message comprises a public information element provide location information, and the first information is carried in the public information element provide location information.

[0239] In another possible implementation, the provide location information message comprises a new radio enhanced cell identity provide location information, and the first information is carried in the new radio enhanced cell identity provide location information.

[0240] In another possible implementation, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0242] In a possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the cell type where the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0244] The technical effects brought by the sixteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the sixth aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the sixteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the sixth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0245] The seventeenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, and the communication device includes:

[0246] The receiving unit is configured to receive a request message from a positioning device, the request message being used to request a GNSS measurement quantity or a GNSS positioning position.

[0247] The sending unit is configured to send a reply message to the positioning device, the reply message including second information, the second information being used to indicate whether the terminal device is suitable for GNSS measurement.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the second information includes indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the second information includes information of a cell type where the terminal device is located; the cell type includes any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the second information includes indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the second information includes quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0252] In a possible implementation, the second information includes availability of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0253] In a possible implementation, the second information includes reliability of the GNSS positioning position.

[0254] In a possible implementation, the second information includes whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises a number of visible satellites.

[0256] In a possible implementation, the request message comprises third information, and the third information is used to request the second information.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the request message is a request location information message, and the reply message is a provide location information message.

[0258] In a possible implementation, the request location information message comprises GNSS request location information, and the third information is used to request the second information, and the second information is requested by the GNSS request location information.

[0259] In a possible implementation, the provide location information message comprises GNSS provide location information, and the second information is carried in the GNSS provide location information.

[0260] The technical effects brought by the seventeenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the seventh aspect. The technical effects brought by any possible implementation of the seventeenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any possible implementation of the seventh aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0261] An eighteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, and the communication device comprises:

[0262] A sending unit is configured to send a request message to a terminal device, and the request message is used to request GNSS measurement or GNSS positioning location.

[0263] A receiving unit is configured to receive a reply message from the terminal device, and the reply message comprises second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the terminal is suitable for GNSS measurement.

[0264] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0265] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located, and the cell type comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type comprises any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0266] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0267] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises quality information of the GNSS measurement.

[0268] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises availability of the GNSS measurement.

[0269] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises a confidence level of the GNSS positioning location.

[0270] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a preset threshold.

[0271] In a possible implementation, the second information comprises a number of visible satellites.

[0272] In a possible implementation, the request message comprises third information, and the third information is used to request the second information.

[0273] In a possible implementation, the request message is a request location information message, and the reply message is a provide location information message.

[0274] In a possible implementation, the request location information message comprises GNSS request location information, and the third information is used to request the second information, comprising: requesting the second information through the GNSS request location information.

[0275] In a possible implementation, the provide location information message comprises GNSS provide location information, and the second information is carried in the GNSS provide location information.

[0276] The technical effects brought by the eighteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the eighth aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the eighteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the eighth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] The nineteenth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, and the communication device comprises:

[0278] A sending unit is configured to send a request to an access network device, and the request is used to request first information; and the first information comprises indoor or outdoor information of a terminal device.

[0279] A receiving unit is configured to receive the first information from the access network device.

[0280] In a possible implementation, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the request to the access network device through a positioning information request message; and the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a positioning information response message from the access network device, and the positioning information response message comprises the first information.

[0281] In a possible implementation, the request for the first information comprises: a request for the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0282] In another possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a positioning information update message from the access network device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, and the positioning information update message comprises the first information after the change.

[0283] In another possible implementation manner, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0284] In another possible implementation manner, the first information further comprises information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0285] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type where the terminal device is located comprises any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0286] In another possible implementation manner, the cell type where the terminal device is located comprises any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell.

[0287] The technical effects brought by the nineteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the ninth aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the nineteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the ninth aspect, which will not be described here again.

[0288] The twentieth aspect of the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, and the communication device comprises:

[0289] The receiving unit is configured to receive a request from a positioning device, and the request is used to request the first information; and the first information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0290] The sending unit is configured to send the first information to the positioning device.

[0291] In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the request from the positioning device through a positioning information request message; and the sending unit is specifically configured to send a positioning information response message to the positioning device, and the positioning information response message comprises the first information.

[0292] In another possible implementation manner, the request is used to request the first information, and the request comprises a request for the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0293] In another possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to send a positioning information update message to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, and the positioning information update message comprises the first information after the change.

[0294] In another possible implementation manner, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0295] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located.

[0296] In a possible implementation, the cell type in which the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0297] In a possible implementation, the cell type in which the terminal device is located includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0298] The technical effects brought by the twentieth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the tenth aspect. The technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the twentieth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by any one of the possible implementation manners of the tenth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] The twenty-first aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is further configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the processor implements any one of the implementation manners in any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0300] Optionally, the communication apparatus includes a transceiver, and the processor is configured to control the transceiver to perform any one of the implementation manners in any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0301] The technical effects brought by the twenty-second aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by different possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0302] The twenty-third aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a computer program product including computer instructions, characterized in that when the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0303] The twenty-fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium including computer instructions, when the computer instructions run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute any one of the implementation manners in any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0304] The twenty-fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes a network device, a terminal device, or a chip, and the communication apparatus includes a processor configured to invoke a computer program in a memory, so that the processor executes any one of the implementation manners in the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0305] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory through an interface.

[0306] The technical effects brought by the twenty-fifth aspect can be referred to the technical effects brought by different possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the tenth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0307] The twenty-sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the communication device of the eleventh aspect and the communication device of the twelfth aspect; or the communication system comprises the communication device of the thirteenth aspect and the communication device of the fourteenth aspect; or the communication system comprises the communication device of the seventeenth aspect and the communication device of the eighteenth aspect.

[0308] The twenty-seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a chip, which comprises a processor connected with a memory, and the processor is used to call a program stored in the memory, so that the processor executes any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the tenth aspect.

[0309] From the above technical solutions, the embodiments of the present application have the following advantages:

[0310] From the above technical solutions, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request the information of the cell type of the access network device. The cell type includes: indoor cell or outdoor cell; or the cell type includes any one of the following: macro station cell, micro cell or lamp station cell. The positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device. From the above solutions, the positioning device obtains the information of the cell type from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the information of the cell type. Thus, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0311] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the communication system of the embodiments of the present application;

[0312] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application;

[0313] Figure 3 It is another schematic diagram of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application;

[0314] Figure 4 It is another schematic diagram of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application;

[0315] Figure 5 It is another schematic diagram of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application;

[0316] Figure 6 It is another schematic diagram of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application;

[0317] Figure 7Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0318] Figure 8 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0319] Figure 9 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0320] Figure 10 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0321] Figure 11 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0322] Figure 12 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0323] Figure 13 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0324] Figure 14 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure;

[0325] Figure 15 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0326] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0327] The term “and / or” appearing in the present application can be a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean that there are three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character “ / ” in the present application generally represents that the front and rear associated objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0328] The terms "first", "second", and the like in this application are used to distinguish between elements or items that have substantially the same function and are similar to each other, and it should be understood that there is no logical or chronological dependency between "first", "second", and "nth", and the quantity and execution order are not limited. It should also be understood that although the following description uses the terms first, second, and the like to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Some terms related to this application are introduced below.

[0329] The cell in which the terminal device is located includes a serving cell of the terminal device, or a cell in which the terminal device resides.

[0330] The serving cell of the terminal device includes a cell that establishes a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the terminal device and provides services to the terminal device.

[0331] The cell in which the terminal device resides includes a cell selected by the terminal device in an idle state or an inactive state. The terminal device can receive system information of the cell and monitor a control channel of the cell. When the terminal device needs to establish an RRC connection, the terminal device can access the network on the control channel of the cell.

[0332] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the application is shown. The communication system includes an access network device and a core network device. The access network device is deployed in a wireless access network, and the access network device provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device. The core network device is responsible for access control, registration management, service management, mobility management, and the like of the terminal device accessing the network.

[0333] The access network device can include a next generation node B (gNB) 102. The terminal device 101 is connected to the gNB 102. The above Figure 1 Only an example in which the communication system includes the gNB 102 is shown. In actual applications, the communication system can include more access network devices, or the communication system can include only one access network device, which is not limited in the application. The access network device and the core network device can communicate with each other. The terminal device and the access network device can communicate with each other. The access network device can also communicate with the core network device through the access network device.

[0334] The core network device can include a mobility management device 103 and a positioning device 104. The mobility management device 103 is used to manage the mobility of the terminal device 101. The positioning device is used for positioning processing and management of the location of the terminal device 101.

[0335] The mobility management device can include an access and mobility management function (AMF) device. The positioning device 104 can include a location management function (LMF) device. The AMF device is responsible for access control, mobility management, etc. of terminal device access to the network.

[0336] The access network device includes a macro station, a micro station, a small station, a relay station, an access point (AP), a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The access network device can also include a transmission and reception point (TRP), a transmission measurement function (TMF), etc. Illustratively, the access network device involved in the embodiments of the present application can be an access network device in new radio (NR). Among them, the access network device in 5G NR can also be referred to as a transmission reception point (TRP) or a transmission point (TP) or the next generation node B (ngNB) shown in the above Figure 1 , which can also be an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in the long term evolution (LTE) system shown in the above Figure 1

[0337] ​A terminal device, also referred to as a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device including a wireless communication function (providing voice / data connectivity to a user), such as a handheld device having a wireless connection function, or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. Currently, some examples of terminal devices are: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0338] The name of the AMF device can change as the communication system evolves. In the current communication system or future communication system, as long as other functional network elements with similar functions to the AMF device have other names, they can be understood as the AMF of the embodiments of the present application and are applicable to the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, the AMF device is used to forward information between the LMF device and the terminal device, or to forward information between the LMF device and the access network device.

[0339] In the embodiments of the present application, the LMF device is an example of a positioning device. The LMF device is the name in the current communication system. In future communication systems, the name of the LMF device can change as the communication system evolves. The positioning device is used to select a positioning method for the terminal device and perform positioning calculation on the position of the terminal device through the positioning method. Other devices or functional network elements with similar functions to the positioning device can be understood as the positioning device in the embodiments of the present application, and are applicable to the communication method of the present application.

[0340] Currently, the positioning device receives a positioning request from the AMF device. The positioning request comprises an identifier of the terminal device. The positioning device obtains capability information of the terminal device. Then, the positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the information comprised in the positioning request and the capability information of the terminal device. For example, a positioning method based on a radio access technology, a GNSS positioning method. The positioning device performs positioning on the terminal device through the selected positioning method, thereby realizing positioning on the terminal device.

[0341] The technical solutions of the present application will be described below in combination with specific embodiments.

[0342] Figure 2 An embodiment of the communication method of the present application is shown in the figure. Please refer to Figure 2 The communication method comprises:

[0343] 201. The positioning device sends a request to the access network device, requesting information of a cell type of the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the request from the positioning device.

[0344] Two possible implementation manners of the cell type of the access network device will be described below. The present application is still applicable to other implementation manners, and the following two possible implementation manners do not belong to the limitation of the present application.

[0345] Implementation manner 1: The cell type of the access network device comprises an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0346] Specifically, the cell of the access network device can be indoor or outdoor. The access network device can inform the positioning device of the cell type of the access network device through the indoor cell or the outdoor cell.

[0347] Implementation manner 2: The cell type of the access network device comprises any one of the following: a macro cell, a micro cell, or a lamp site cell.

[0348] The transmission power of the macro station is large, and the signal coverage range is large. The macro station is generally deployed outdoors. Therefore, the macro cell is usually an outdoor cell.

[0349] Compared with the macro station, the transmission power of the small station or the micro station is small, and the signal coverage range is small. The small station is usually deployed in a building or a dense area. The cell of the small station or the micro station can be called a micro cell. Therefore, the micro cell is usually an indoor cell.

[0350] The lamp station is usually deployed indoors and is mainly used for indoor signal coverage. Therefore, the lamp site cell is usually an indoor cell.

[0351] Therefore, it can be known that the macro station is usually deployed outdoors, and the small station, micro station and lamp station are usually deployed indoors. The access network device can inform the positioning device of the type of each cell of the access network device through the implementation manner 2. For example, the access network device reports to the positioning device that the cell 1 is a macro station cell. Since the macro station is usually deployed outdoors, the positioning device can determine that the cell 1 is an outdoor cell.

[0352] For another example, the access network device reports to the positioning device that the cell 2 is a lamp station cell. Since the lamp station is usually deployed indoors, the positioning device can determine that the cell 2 is an indoor cell.

[0353] Optionally, in the implementation manner 2, the request can also be used to request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device.

[0354] The indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device includes information that the cell is indoors, or information that the cell is outdoors.

[0355] For example, the cell of the access network device includes the cell 1 and the cell 2. The cell 1 is an outdoor cell, and the cell 2 is an indoor cell. Therefore, the indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device includes information that the cell 1 is indoors and information that the cell 2 is outdoors.

[0356] 202. The access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device.

[0357] In the case that the request is also used to request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell, the access network device also sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device in the step 202. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device.

[0358] Then, the access network device can send the type of the cell and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device through the TRP information response message or other messages, which is not limited in the present application.

[0359] Optionally, the above Figure 2 The embodiments shown can also include the steps 203 and 204.

[0360] 203. The positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the information of the cell type.

[0361] For example, the cell where the terminal device is located is the cell of the access network device. The positioning device can determine the type of the cell where the terminal device is located according to the information of the cell type of the access network device. Then, the positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the type of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0362] In some embodiments, the positioning method comprises at least one of: a radio access technology based positioning method, a GNSS positioning method, or other positioning methods.

[0363] Optionally, the radio access technology based positioning method comprises at least one of: an uplink positioning method, a downlink positioning method, or a single station positioning method.

[0364] The uplink positioning method comprises an uplink time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA) positioning method, and / or an uplink angle of arrival (UL-AOA) positioning method.

[0365] The UL-TDOA positioning method comprises: an access network device measuring an uplink signal sent by a terminal device to obtain a plurality of uplink relative times of arrival (RTOAs). A positioning device determines the position of the terminal device based on the plurality of RTOAs reported by the access network device.

[0366] The UL-AOA positioning method comprises: an access network device measuring an uplink signal from a terminal device to obtain a plurality of AOA. A positioning device determines the position of the terminal device based on the plurality of AOA reported by the access network device.

[0367] The downlink positioning method comprises a downlink time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) positioning method, and / or a downlink angle of departure (DL-AOD) positioning method.

[0368] The DL-TDOA positioning method comprises: a terminal device measuring downlink reference signals of a plurality of access network devices to obtain a plurality of TDOAs. The terminal device determines the position of the terminal device according to the plurality of TDOAs. Alternatively, a positioning device determines the position of the terminal device according to the plurality of TDOAs reported by the terminal device.

[0369] The DL-AOD positioning method comprises: a terminal device measuring downlink reference signals of a plurality of access network devices to obtain a plurality of reference signal receiving powers (RSRPs). The terminal device determines the position of the terminal device according to the plurality of RSRPs and configuration information of the plurality of access network devices. Alternatively, a positioning device determines the position of the terminal device according to the plurality of RSRPs and configuration information of the plurality of access network devices.

[0370] The single-station positioning method includes a new radio enhanced cell identification (NR E-CID) positioning method.

[0371] The NR E-CID positioning method includes determining the position of the terminal device according to information of a cell in which the terminal device is located and / or a measurement quantity of a reference signal of the cell measured by the terminal device.

[0372] The GNSS positioning method includes determining the position of the terminal device based on a measurement result obtained by measuring a GNSS signal by the terminal device.

[0373] For example, the cell in which the terminal device is located is a cell 1 of the access network device. The cell 1 is an outdoor cell. Because the interval distance of the base stations is relatively large, the GNSS signal is relatively strong. The positioning accuracy of the GNSS positioning method is higher than that of the positioning method based on the wireless access technology, and the GNSS positioning time delay is shorter. The positioning device can select the GNSS positioning method for the terminal device.

[0374] For example, the cell in which the terminal device is located is a cell 2 of the access network device. The cell 2 is an indoor cell. Because the GNSS signal in the indoor environment is very weak, the GNSS positioning method is not applicable to the terminal device in the indoor environment. Therefore, the positioning device can select the positioning method based on the wireless access technology for the terminal device. The positioning method based on the wireless access technology includes multiple positioning methods, and the positioning device can determine the specific positioning method in combination with the capability information of the terminal device.

[0375] The positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the information of the cell type, so as to ensure the positioning accuracy of the terminal device. Further, the terminal device can move during the positioning process. For example, the terminal device moves from the indoor environment to the outdoor environment, or moves from the outdoor environment to the indoor environment, or moves from a place where the GNSS signal is weak to a place where the GNSS signal is strong. The positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device in time by referring to the information of the cell type. In this way, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved.

[0376] For example, if the terminal device moves from the indoor environment to the outdoor environment, the positioning device selects the positioning method based on the wireless access technology for the terminal device before the terminal device moves. The positioning device can determine that the cell in which the terminal device is located is an outdoor cell by referring to the information of the cell type. Because the GNSS signal in the outdoor environment is relatively strong, the positioning device can reselect the GNSS positioning method for the terminal device. In this way, the high-precision positioning of the terminal device is ensured.

[0377] If the terminal device moves from outdoor to indoor, the positioning device selects a GNSS positioning method for the terminal device before the terminal device moves. The positioning device can determine that the cell where the terminal device is located is an indoor cell by referring to the cell type information. Since the GNSS signal is very weak in the indoor, the positioning device can reselect a wireless access technology based positioning method for the terminal device. Thus, the high-precision positioning of the terminal device is ensured.

[0378] It can be known that the positioning method suitable for the terminal device in the indoor is different from the positioning method suitable for the terminal device in the outdoor. Therefore, the positioning device can acquire the cell type information. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the cell type information.

[0379] In the case that the cell type information and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell are acquired, the positioning device can refer to the information and select a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device.

[0380] 204、The positioning device performs positioning on the terminal device by using the selected positioning method.

[0381] For example, the positioning device selects a GNSS positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the cell type information. The positioning device can perform positioning on the terminal device by using the GNSS positioning method.

[0382] For example, the positioning device selects a wireless access technology based positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the cell type information. The positioning device can perform positioning on the terminal device by using the wireless access technology based positioning method.

[0383] In the embodiments of the present application, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request the cell type information of the access network device. Then, the positioning device receives the cell type information from the access network device. As known from the above scheme, the positioning device acquires the cell type information from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the cell type information. Thus, the positioning precision is improved and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the GNSS signal is very weak in the indoor, and thus the GNSS positioning method is not suitable for the terminal device in the indoor. Therefore, when the positioning device determines that the terminal device is in the indoor, the positioning device can preferentially select a wireless access technology based positioning method for the terminal device.

[0384] Figure 3 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application is shown in the figure. Please refer to Figure 3 The communication method comprises:

[0385] 301、The positioning device sends a request to the access network device, requesting indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the request from the positioning device.

[0386] For related descriptions of the indoor or outdoor information of the cell of the access network device, please refer to the related descriptions in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment shown. The indoor or outdoor information of the cell can be embodied in various forms, as long as it can explicitly or implicitly indicate that the cell of the access network device is an indoor cell or the cell of the access network device is an outdoor cell.

[0387] Optionally, the request is also used to request information of a cell type of the access network device. For related descriptions of the information of the cell type, please refer to the related descriptions in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment shown, which will not be described herein again.

[0388] 302、The access network device sends the indoor or outdoor information of the cell to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device.

[0389] It should be noted that the foregoing steps 301 to 302 can be regarded as a complete technical solution.

[0390] Optionally, the foregoing Figure 3 embodiment shown further includes steps 303 and 304.

[0391] 303、The positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the indoor or outdoor information of the cell.

[0392] For example, the positioning device determines the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located according to the indoor or outdoor information of the cell. Then, the positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0393] For related descriptions of the positioning method, please refer to the related descriptions in the foregoing step 204 of the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment shown, which will not be described herein again.

[0394] 304、The positioning device performs positioning on the terminal device through the selected positioning method.

[0395] The step 304 is similar to the foregoing step 204 of the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment shown, and for related descriptions of the step 204 of the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment shown, which will not be described herein again.

[0396] In the embodiments of the present application, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device. Then, the positioning device receives the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device. As can be known from the above scheme, the positioning device obtains the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the indoor or outdoor information of the cell. Thus, the positioning accuracy is improved, and the positioning performance is improved. For example, the GNSS signal is very weak in the indoor environment, and therefore the GNSS positioning method is not suitable for the terminal device in the indoor environment. Therefore, when the positioning device determines that the terminal device is in the indoor environment, the positioning device can preferentially select a positioning method based on a radio access technology for the terminal device.

[0397] The step 201 or 301 can send the request to the access network device through a TRP information request message or other messages. The other messages can also be newly defined messages. For details, refer to Figure 4 The step 401 in the embodiment shown is introduced.

[0398] The step 202 or 302 can be implemented through a TRP information response message or other messages. The other messages can be newly defined messages. For details, refer to Figure 4 The step 402 in the embodiment shown is introduced.

[0399] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application is shown. Please refer to Figure 4 The communication method comprises the following steps:

[0400] 401. The positioning device sends a TRP information request message to the access network device. The positioning device sends the request in the step 201 or the step 301 to the access network device through the TRP information request message. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the TRP information request message. The TRP information request message is used to request the TRP information from the access network device. The TRP information comprises (TRPidentify, TRP ID), a cell ID, and the like.

[0401] In a possible implementation manner, in the step 401, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device through a TRP information request message to request the cell type information of the access network device. Optionally, the TRP information request message is also used to request the indoor or outdoor information of the cell.

[0402] Therefore, in the process of requesting the TRP information by the positioning device through the TRP information request message, the request for the type of the cell of the access network device is realized. No new request message needs to be defined, and message resources are saved. In the process of requesting the TRP information, the type of the cell of the access network device is requested at the same time. The TRP information can include the information of the cell, which is beneficial to the access network device to analyze the request. No other indication signaling or indication field is needed to indicate which cell or which cells the positioning device specifically requests the type of. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0403] In a possible implementation, the TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item.

[0404] Requesting information for requesting the type of a cell includes: requesting the information of the type of the cell through a TRP information type item. The TRP information type item is shown below in combination with Table 1.

[0405] Table 1

[0406]

[0407] As shown in Table 1, the TRP information type item is used to list the TRP information requested by the positioning device. In this application, the cell type is added in the TRP information type item to realize the request for the information of the type of the cell to the access network device.

[0408] Therefore, the TRP information type item is used to list the TRP information requested by the positioning device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the information of the type of the cell to the access network device through the TRP information type item. No new information element needs to be redefined, and the information element of the TRP information request message is relatively simple. In addition, the positioning device requests the information of the type of the cell through the TRP information type item, that is, a specific request mode is provided.

[0409] In addition, the TRP information type item lists the information about the TRP requested by the positioning device, and the TRP information includes the information of the cell. Therefore, the positioning device requests the information of the type of the cell through the TRP information type item. The access network device can understand that the positioning device requests the type of the cell included in the TRP information. No other indication field or indication instruction is needed to indicate which cell or which cells the positioning device specifically requests the type of. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0410] In another possible implementation, in the step 401, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device through a TRP information request message to request indoor or outdoor information of a cell of the access network device. Optionally, the request is also used to request information of a cell type.

[0411] The positioning device requests indoor or outdoor information of a cell through a TRP information type item, which has similar advantages to the foregoing advantages of the positioning device requesting information of a cell type through a TRP information type item. For details, refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0412] 402. The access network device sends a TRP information response message to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the TRP information response message from the access network device.

[0413] In a possible implementation, in the step 402, the TRP information response message further includes information of a cell type. Optionally, the TRP information response message further includes indoor or outdoor information of a cell.

[0414] Optionally, the TRP information response message includes TRP information, and the information of the cell type is carried in the TRP information. Optionally, the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information.

[0415] In a possible implementation, the TRP information includes a TRP information type. The information of the cell type is located in the TRP information type.

[0416] For example, refer to Table 2, which is TRP information included in the TRP information response message. A cell type (cell type) is added in the TRP InformationType, and the cell type is an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0417] Table 2

[0418]

[0419]

[0420] As shown in Table 2, the cell type (Cell Type) includes a type of a cell corresponding to the NR PCI or the NR CGI in Table 2. For example, the NR PCI or the NR CGI is an identifier of a cell 1 of the access network device. If the type of the cell 1 is an indoor cell, a value of the cell type in Table 2 is indoor. If the type of the cell 1 is an outdoor cell, the value of the cell type in Table 2 is outdoor.

[0421] Therefore, the TRP information type in the TRP information is used to list the TRP information provided by the access network device to the positioning device. The access network device can provide the cell type information to the positioning device through the TRP information type. Without redefining a new information element, the information element of the TRP information response message is relatively simple. The positioning device carries the cell type information through the TRP information type of the TRP information response message, that is, a specific carrying manner is provided.

[0422] The TRP information type lists the TRP information provided by the access network device for the positioning device. The TRP information includes the information of the cell of the access network device. Therefore, the cell type information is placed in the TRP information type. The positioning device can understand that the cell type information is the cell type information included in the TRP information. In this way, it is not necessary to indicate through other indication fields or indication instructions which cell type is provided by the access network device. Therefore, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0423] In another possible implementation, in the step 402, the TRP information response message further carries the indoor or outdoor information of the cell. Optionally, the TRP information response message further carries the cell type information.

[0424] Optionally, the TRP information response message includes the TRP information, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information.

[0425] Optionally, the cell type information is carried in the TRP information.

[0426] In a possible implementation, the TRP information includes the TRP information type. The indoor or outdoor information of the cell is carried in the TRP information type.

[0427] The beneficial effects of the communication device carrying the indoor or outdoor information of the cell through the TRP information are similar to the beneficial effects of the aforementioned communication device carrying the cell type information through the TRP information. For details, refer to the foregoing related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0428] In the steps 401 to 402, the positioning device requests and acquires the cell type information and / or the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device through the TRP information acquisition process. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, and the practicability of the scheme is improved. In the process of requesting the TRP information from the access network device, the positioning device requests the cell type information and / or the indoor or outdoor information of the cell from the access network device, thereby saving message resources.

[0429] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is shown in the following schematic diagram. Figure 5 The communication method includes:

[0430] 501、The positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request the first information. The first information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the request from the positioning device.

[0431] The indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device comprises information that the terminal device is indoors, or information that the terminal device is outdoors.

[0432] In a first optional implementation, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located. The indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located comprises information that the cell where the terminal device is located is indoors, or information that the cell where the terminal device is located is outdoors.

[0433] In a second optional implementation, the first information further comprises information of a cell type where the terminal device is located.

[0434] Two possible implementation manners of the cell type where the terminal device is located are introduced below. The two possible implementation manners do not belong to the limitation of the present application, and the present application is still applicable to other implementation manners.

[0435] Implementation manner 1: The cell type where the terminal device is located comprises an indoor cell or an outdoor cell.

[0436] Implementation manner 2: The cell type where the terminal device is located comprises any one of a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell.

[0437] For related descriptions of the macro station cell, the micro cell, or the lamp station cell, please refer to the foregoing descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which will not be repeated here. Figure 2

[0438] It should be noted that in the implementation manner 2, the first information can further comprise indoor or outdoor information of a cell where the terminal device is located.

[0439] The positioning device directly requests the first information from the access network device through the request. The access network device can directly send the first information to the positioning device.

[0440] For example, after receiving the request from the positioning device, the access network device sends the first information stored locally by the access network device to the positioning device. Alternatively, the access network device can request the first information from the terminal device, and then send the first information to the positioning device. Alternatively, the access network device determines the first information of the terminal device by itself, and then sends the first information to the positioning device. For example, the access network device is a small station, which is usually deployed indoors. The terminal device accesses the access network device. Therefore, the access network device can determine that the terminal device is indoors.

[0441] ​Optionally, the request is used to request the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0442] In this possible implementation, the positioning device requests the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. This facilitates the positioning device to select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in a timely manner according to the first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning.

[0443] 502. The access network device sends the first information to the positioning device.

[0444] Optionally, the request is used to request the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. In step 502, the access network device feeds back the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. The first information includes at least one of the following: the changed indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, the information of the changed cell type where the terminal device is located, or the changed indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0445] It is worth noting that in some special cases, the first information includes the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, but does not include the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. Alternatively, the first information includes the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located, but does not include the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. As long as the positioning device can determine the indoor or outdoor position of the terminal device through the first information, it is acceptable. Further, the bit overhead of information transmission is reduced.

[0446] Optionally, the above Figure 5 The embodiments shown in FIG. 5 can further include steps 503 and 504.

[0447] 503. The positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the first information.

[0448] For details of the positioning method, please refer to the foregoing Figure 2 For details of step 203 in the embodiments shown in FIG. 2, please refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here.

[0449] For example, the first information includes the information that the terminal device is indoors. Since the GNSS signal is very weak indoors, the GNSS positioning method is not suitable for the terminal device indoors. The positioning device can select a positioning method based on a wireless access technology for the terminal device. The positioning method based on the wireless access technology includes a plurality of positioning methods, and the positioning device can determine a specific positioning method in combination with the capability information of the terminal device and the like.

[0450] For another example, the first information comprises information of a cell type where the terminal device is located. The cell type where the terminal device is located is a macro station cell. Macro stations are usually deployed outdoors, and macro station cells are outdoor cells. However, the interval distance of base stations is relatively large, and the GNSS signal is relatively strong. The positioning accuracy of the GNSS positioning method is superior to that of the positioning method based on a radio access technology. Moreover, the GNSS positioning time delay is shorter. The positioning device can select the GNSS positioning method for the terminal device.

[0451] 504. The positioning device performs positioning on the terminal device by using the selected positioning method.

[0452] Step 504 is similar to step 204 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiments, and details are referred to the foregoing Figure 2 introduction of step 204 in the foregoing

[0453] Optionally, the foregoing Figure 5 embodiments further comprise step 505. Step 505 can be performed after step 504.

[0454] 505. The access network device sends the changed first information to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the changed first information from the access network device.

[0455] The changed first information comprises at least one of the following: changed indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, changed information of a cell type where the terminal device is located, or changed indoor or outdoor information where the terminal device is located.

[0456] Specifically, when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the access network device sends the changed first information to the positioning device.

[0457] In the foregoing case where the request is used to request the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, after receiving the request in step 501, the first information fed back by the access network device to the positioning device in step 502 can be the changed first information. And the first information fed back by the access network device to the positioning device in step 505 can be the first information that changes again after the access network device receives the request in step 501.

[0458] It should be noted that, in the case where the above request is used to request the access network device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the access network device can feed back the first information before the change to the positioning device in the step 502 after receiving the request in the step 501. And the access network device can feed back the changed first information to the positioning device in the step 505.

[0459] In some embodiments, the positioning device can send the changed first information to the access network device through a positioning information update message or other messages in the step 505, which is not limited in the present application.

[0460] In the embodiments of the present application, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device. The request is used to request the first information. The first information includes the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. The access network device sends the first information to the positioning device. Therefore, the positioning device obtains the first information from the access network device. In this way, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device by referring to the first information. Thus, the positioning accuracy and performance are improved.

[0461] The step 501 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 5 The request in the step 501 in the embodiments shown in the above can be sent to the access network device through a positioning information request message or other messages. The other messages can also be newly defined messages. For details, please refer to the embodiments shown in the above Figure 6 The step 601 in the embodiments shown in the above is introduced.

[0462] The step 502 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 5 The step 502 in the embodiments shown in the above can be implemented through a positioning information response message or other messages. The other messages can be newly defined messages. For details, please refer to the embodiments shown in the above Figure 6 The step 602 in the embodiments shown in the above is introduced.

[0463] The step 505 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 5 The step 505 in the embodiments shown in the above can be implemented through a positioning information update message or other messages. The other messages can be newly defined messages. For details, please refer to the embodiments shown in the above Figure 6 The step 605 in the embodiments shown in the above is introduced.

[0464] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application is shown in the above Figure 6 The communication method includes:

[0465] 601、The positioning device sends a positioning information request message to the access network device. The positioning device sends a request to the access network device through the positioning information request message. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the positioning information request message from the positioning device.

[0466] In step 601, the positioning device sends a request to the access network device through a positioning information request message. No new request message needs to be defined, message resources are saved, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0467] Optionally, the positioning information request message includes a newly added information element. The request is used to request the first information, and includes: requesting the first information through the newly added information element. For example, the newly added information element is indoor outdoor information. The positioning device requests the first information from the access network device through the indoor outdoor information information element.

[0468] It should be noted that the positioning device can request the first information from the access network device in an implicit manner or an explicit manner.

[0469] For example, the positioning information request message in step 601 includes a newly added information element. The positioning device explicitly requests the first information through the newly added information element.

[0470] For example, the positioning device sends a positioning information request message to the access network device. After receiving the positioning information request message, the access network device feeds back the first information to the positioning device. That is, the positioning information request message is a specific form of the positioning device requesting the first information. The positioning device can implicitly request the first information through the positioning information request message.

[0471] 602. The access network device sends a positioning information response message to the positioning device, and the positioning information response message includes the first information. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the positioning information response message from the access network device.

[0472] Optionally, the positioning information response message includes a newly added information element. The first information is carried in the newly added information element.

[0473] For example, the newly added information element in the positioning information response message is indoor outdoor information.

[0474] It should be noted that if the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device has not changed, the positioning information response message in step 602 can not include the first information; or, the positioning information response message in step 602 includes the first information before the change.

[0475] Therefore, in steps 601 to 602, the positioning device requests the first information from the access network device through a positioning process. In this way, no new message needs to be defined, thereby improving the practicability of the scheme.

[0476] 605、The access network device sends a positioning information update message to the positioning device, and the positioning information update message comprises the changed first information. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the positioning information update message from the access network device.

[0477] The step 605 can be performed after the step 602.

[0478] Optionally, the positioning information update message comprises a newly-added information element. The changed first information is carried in the newly-added information element.

[0479] In the steps 601 and 602, the positioning device obtains the first information through a message in a positioning procedure. In this way, the first information can be obtained through a simplified signaling procedure without defining a new message.

[0480] Figure 7 Another embodiment of the communication method of the present application is shown in the following Figure 7 The communication method comprises the following steps.

[0481] 701、The positioning device sends a request to the terminal device. The request is used to request the first information. The first information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the request from the positioning device.

[0482] The positioning device can send the request to the terminal device through an access network device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the request from the positioning device through the access network device.

[0483] In a first optional implementation, the first information further comprises information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located.

[0484] In a second optional implementation, the first information further comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell in which the terminal device is located.

[0485] For the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, the information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the terminal device is located, please refer to the related description in the step 501 of the embodiment shown in the foregoing Figure 5

[0486] Optionally, the request is used to request the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0487] In this implementation, after receiving the request from the positioning device, when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device. The positioning device can select a suitable positioning method for the terminal device in time according to the first information, so as to ensure high-precision positioning.

[0488] ​702、the terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the first information from the terminal device.

[0489] For example, the request is for requesting the first information. The terminal device can send the first information to the positioning device directly.

[0490] Optionally, in the case that the request is for requesting the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. That is, after the terminal device receives the request from the positioning device, the terminal device feeds back the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0491] It is worth noting that in some special cases, the first information includes the indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the terminal device is located, but does not include the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. Alternatively, the first information includes the information of the cell type where the terminal device is located, but does not include the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. As long as the positioning device can determine the location condition of the terminal device being indoors or outdoors through the first information, it is acceptable. Further, the bit overhead of information transmission is reduced.

[0492] Optionally, the above Figure 7 The embodiments shown in the above

[0493] 703、the positioning device selects a corresponding positioning method for the terminal device according to the first information.

[0494] 704、the positioning device positions the terminal device through the selected positioning method.

[0495] Steps 703 to 704 are similar to steps 503 to 504 in the above Figure 5 embodiments, and details are referred to the above Figure 5 embodiments, and details are referred to the above

[0496] In the embodiments, the positioning device sends a request to the terminal device. The request is for requesting the first information. The first information includes the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. Then, the terminal device sends the first information to the positioning device. After the positioning device obtains the first information, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device according to the first information. Thus, the positioning accuracy and performance are improved.

[0497] The above Figure 7The step 701 in the illustrated embodiment can send a request to the terminal device through a request location information message or other message. The other message can be a newly defined message or other existing message. For details, refer to Figure 8 The step 801 in the illustrated embodiment is described as follows.

[0498] The step 801 is described as follows. Figure 7 The step 702 in the illustrated embodiment can be implemented through a provision location information message or other message. The other message can be a newly defined message or other existing message. For details, refer to Figure 8 The step 802 in the illustrated embodiment is described as follows.

[0499] Figure 8 Another embodiment of the communication method of the embodiments of the present application is illustrated. Refer to Figure 8 The communication method comprises the following steps.

[0500] 801. A positioning device sends a request location information message to a terminal device. The positioning device sends a request to the terminal device through the request location information message. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the request location information message from the positioning device.

[0501] In the step 801, the positioning device sends a request to the terminal device through the request location information message, without defining a new message, thereby improving the practicability of the scheme and facilitating the implementation of the scheme.

[0502] Optionally, the request location information message comprises a public information element request positioning information. The request is used to request the first information, comprising: requesting the first information through the public information element request positioning information.

[0503] Specifically, the positioning device requests the first information from the terminal device through the public information element request positioning information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be defined, so that the information element included in the request location information message is relatively simple. The public information element request positioning information is usually used to list the positioning information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device. The positioning device can list the first information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device through the public information element request positioning information. In this way, the terminal device is beneficial to parse the request.

[0504] It should be noted that the positioning device can request the first information through an implicit manner or an explicit manner.

[0505] For example, in the step 801, the positioning device requests the first information through the public information element request positioning information in the request location information message.

[0506] For example, the positioning device sends a request location information message to the terminal device. After receiving the request location information message, the terminal device can feed back first information to the positioning device. That is, the request location information message is a specific form of the positioning device requesting the first information. The positioning device implicitly requests the first information from the terminal device through the request location information message.

[0507] Optionally, in the case where the request is for requesting the terminal device to send the first information to the positioning device when the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the request location information message includes a public information element requesting location information. The request for requesting the first information includes requesting the first information through the public information element requesting location information.

[0508] Specifically, the positioning device requests the first information from the terminal device through the public information element requesting location information. For example, the public information element requesting location information adds a reporting condition of the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device.

[0509] For example, the reporting condition can be that the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. During movement of the terminal device, the terminal device can move from indoors to outdoors, or from outdoors to indoors. Then the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0510] Two possible implementation manners of the terminal device determining that the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes are introduced below. It should be noted that the two implementation manners shown below are only an example, and the terminal device can also determine whether the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes through other manners, which are not limited in the present application.

[0511] Manner one: The terminal device determines whether the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes according to the type of the cell to which the terminal device moves.

[0512] For example, before the terminal device moves, the cell in which the terminal device is located is an indoor cell. The cell to which the terminal device moves is an outdoor cell, and then the terminal device can determine that the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes.

[0513] It should be noted that in the above manner one, the terminal device can store at least one of the following: the type of the cell of the access network device, the type of the cell of the access network device, or the indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the access network device is located. The terminal device can determine whether the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes by referring to the information.

[0514] Alternatively, the terminal device receives a system broadcast message of a cell of the access network device; and the terminal device determines at least one of the following through the system broadcast message: a type of the cell of the access network device, a type of the cell of the access network device, or indoor or outdoor information of the cell where the access network device is located. The terminal device can determine whether the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes according to the information.

[0515] Option 2: The terminal device determines whether the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes according to the signal strength of the GNSS signal.

[0516] For example, before the terminal device moves, the terminal device is outdoors. During the movement of the terminal device, the terminal device can detect the signal strength of the GNSS signal. Since the GNSS signal is weak indoors, if the terminal device detects that the signal strength of the GNSS signal is less than a first preset threshold, the terminal device can determine that the terminal device is indoors, and determine that the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes. If the terminal device detects that the signal strength of the GNSS signal is greater than a second preset threshold, the terminal device can determine that the terminal device is outdoors, and determine that the indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device does not change.

[0517] In a possible implementation, the common information element requesting the positioning information includes a triggering reporting condition. The positioning device requests the first information through the triggering reporting condition.

[0518] The positioning device requests the first information through the triggering reporting condition. The triggering reporting condition is a sub-information element in the common information element requesting the positioning information, and provides a specific implementation of the positioning device requesting the first information. In this way, a new information element does not need to be defined, and the information element structure of the request location information message is relatively simple. Further, since the triggering reporting condition is usually used to indicate some network behaviors of the terminal device when the reporting condition is met. Therefore, the positioning device requests the first information from the terminal device through the triggering reporting condition, so that the terminal device can understand the triggering reporting condition. Thus, when the triggering reporting condition is met, the terminal device reports the first information to the positioning device. In this way, the reporting condition does not need to be additionally indicated through other indication fields or indication signaling. Thus, signaling overhead or bit overhead is saved.

[0519] 802. The terminal device sends a provide location information message to the positioning device, and the provide location information message includes the first information. The positioning device receives the provide location information message from the terminal device.

[0520] In the above step 802, the terminal device provides the first information to the positioning device through a message of a positioning procedure. In this way, a new message does not need to be defined, and the practicability of the scheme is improved.

[0521] Optionally, the terminal device can carry the first information through an information element of the location information message. Two possible implementation manners are introduced below. The present application is still applicable to other implementation manners, which are not limited in the present application.

[0522] Implementation manner 1: the location information message includes a common information element providing location information. The first information is carried in the common information element providing location information.

[0523] The common information element providing location information is used to list the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the first information to the positioning device through the common information element providing location information. In this way, there is no need to redefine a new information element, and the information element structure of the location information message is relatively simple. The common information element providing location information lists the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the first information to the positioning device through the common information element providing location information. This is conducive to the positioning device to analyze the first information.

[0524] Implementation manner 2: the location information message includes a new radio enhanced cell identifier providing location information. The first information is carried in the new radio enhanced cell identifier providing location information.

[0525] In the above implementation manner 2, the new radio enhanced cell identifier providing location information is used to list the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the first information to the positioning device through the new radio enhanced cell identifier providing location information. In this way, there is no need to redefine a new information element, thereby making the information element structure of the location information message relatively simple. The terminal device provides the first information to the positioning device through the new radio enhanced cell identifier providing location information. This is conducive to the positioning device to analyze and read the first information.

[0526] In the above steps 801 to 802, the positioning device obtains the first information through a message in the positioning process. In this way, there is no need to define a new message, and the first information can be obtained through a simplified signaling process.

[0527] Figure 9 Another embodiment of the communication method of the present application is shown in the figure. Please refer to Figure 9 The communication method includes:

[0528] 901. The positioning device sends a request message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the request message from the positioning device.

[0529] The request message is used to request GNSS positioning.

[0530] In the GNSS positioning process, the positioning device sends a request message to the terminal device through the access network device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the request message of the positioning device through the access network device.

[0531] Optionally, the request message comprises third information. The third information is used for requesting the second information. The second information is used for indicating whether the terminal device is suitable for GNSS measurement.

[0532] Optionally, the second information comprises at least one of the following: indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, quality information of a GNSS measurement quantity, availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, reliability of a GNSS positioning position, whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, or the number of visible satellites.

[0533] Alternatively, the second information comprises at least one of the following: information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located, quality information of a GNSS measurement quantity, availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, reliability of a GNSS positioning position, whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, or the number of visible satellites.

[0534] Alternatively, the second information comprises at least one of the following: indoor or outdoor information of a cell in which the terminal device is located, quality information of a GNSS measurement quantity, availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, reliability of a GNSS positioning position, whether the GNSS signal strength is greater than a second preset threshold, or the number of visible satellites.

[0535] The indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, the information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located, and the indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the terminal device is located are described in the foregoing Figure 5 The embodiments, and will not be described herein.

[0536] Optionally, the quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity comprises granularity of the GNSS measurement quantity and / or an uncertainty parameter of a GNSS measurement result. The GNSS measurement quantity is a measurement result obtained by the terminal device by measuring a GNSS signal. The granularity of the GNSS measurement quantity refers to the measurement accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity. For example, the smaller the granularity of the GNSS measurement quantity, the smaller the measurement accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity, and the less accurate the GNSS measurement quantity. The larger the granularity of the GNSS measurement quantity, the larger the measurement accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity, and the more accurate the GNSS measurement quantity. The uncertainty parameter of the GNSS measurement result is used to represent the accuracy of the GNSS measurement result. For example, the larger the value of the uncertainty parameter, the higher the accuracy of the GNSS measurement result. The smaller the value of the uncertainty parameter, the lower the accuracy of the GNSS measurement result.

[0537] In a possible implementation, the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity represents the availability degree of the GNSS measurement quantity measured by the terminal device. For example, the lower the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, the lower the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity measured by the terminal device. The higher the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, the higher the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity.

[0538] The availability of the GNSS measurement quantity can be represented in various manners, and two possible manners are introduced as follows.

[0539] Manner 1: The availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is represented by a numerical value. If the numerical value is large, it indicates that the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is high, and the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is high. If the numerical value is small, it indicates that the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is low, and the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is low.

[0540] Manner 2: The availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is represented by a ratio. If the ratio is large, it indicates that the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is high, and the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is high. If the ratio is small, it indicates that the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is low, and the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is low.

[0541] In another possible implementation, the GNSS measurement quantity is used to represent whether the GNSS measurement quantity measured by the terminal device is available. For example, if the GNSS measurement quantity is unavailable, it indicates that the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is low. If the GNSS measurement quantity is available, it indicates that the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is high. For example, the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is represented by "1" or "0". When the availability of the GNSS measurement is represented by "1", it indicates that the GNSS measurement quantity is available, and the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is high. When the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is represented by "0", it indicates that the GNSS measurement quantity is unavailable, and the accuracy of the GNSS measurement quantity is low.

[0542] In a possible implementation, the reliability of the GNSS positioning position represents the reliability degree of the GNSS positioning position determined by the terminal device. For example, the higher the reliability of the GNSS positioning position, the higher the accuracy of the GNSS positioning position. The lower the reliability of the GNSS positioning position, the lower the accuracy of the GNSS positioning position.

[0543] Optionally, the reliability of the GNSS positioning position can be represented by a numerical value or a ratio, and the like. The manner of representing the reliability of the GNSS positioning position is similar to the manner of representing the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity, and details can be referred to the foregoing description.

[0544] In another possible implementation, the representation of the reliability of the GNSS positioning position indicates whether the GNSS positioning position determined by the terminal device is available. For example, if the GNSS positioning position is not available, it means that the accuracy of the GNSS positioning position is low. If the GNSS positioning position is available, it means that the accuracy of the GNSS positioning position is high.

[0545] The representation of the reliability of the GNSS positioning position is similar to the aforementioned representation of the reliability of the GNSS positioning position, and details can be referred to the aforementioned description.

[0546] For example, the terminal device can measure GNSS signals of four satellites. Whether the strength of each GNSS signal is greater than the second preset threshold.

[0547] The number of visible satellites refers to the number of satellites corresponding to satellite signals that can be received by the terminal device from the perspective of the terminal device. Generally, the number of visible satellites of the terminal device is at least four, so as to achieve accurate positioning of the terminal device. For example, the terminal device can receive satellite signals corresponding to four satellites respectively, and the number of visible satellites is four.

[0548] 902. The terminal device sends a reply message to the positioning device. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the reply message from the terminal device.

[0549] The reply message includes GNSS measurement results or position information. The reply message further includes second information. Details of the content included in the second information can be referred to the aforementioned description in step 901, and will not be repeated here.

[0550] The GNSS measurement results can include measurement results obtained by the terminal device by measuring GNSS signals. The position information can include the position of the terminal device determined by the terminal device through GNSS positioning.

[0551] Optionally, the above-mentioned Figure 9 The embodiments shown further include steps 903 to 904. Steps 903 to 904 can be executed after step 902.

[0552] 903. The positioning device determines a positioning method for the terminal device according to the second information.

[0553] For example, the second information includes information that the terminal device is indoors. The positioning device determines that the terminal device is indoors. Since the GNSS signal is relatively weak indoors, the positioning device can select a positioning method based on a wireless access technology for the terminal device.

[0554] For example, the second information includes information that the terminal device is in the outdoor. The positioning device determines that the terminal device is in the outdoor. The GNSS signal quality is good, and thus the positioning device can keep positioning the terminal device by using the GNSS positioning method.

[0555] For example, the second information includes that the availability of the GNSS measurement quantity is high, and the positioning device can keep positioning the terminal device by using the GNSS positioning method.

[0556] For example, the second information includes that the number of visible satellites is greater than 4, and the positioning device can keep positioning the terminal device by using the GNSS positioning method.

[0557] 904. The positioning device positions the terminal device by using the selected positioning method.

[0558] Step 904 is similar to step 204 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, please refer to the foregoing description of step 204 in the foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, please refer to the foregoing description of step 204 in the foregoing

[0559] In the embodiment, the positioning device sends a request message to the terminal device, and the request message is used to request GNSS positioning. Then, the positioning device receives a reply message from the terminal device. The reply message includes GNSS measurement results or position information. The reply message further includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the terminal device is suitable for GNSS measurement. Therefore, after obtaining the second information, the positioning device can select a more suitable positioning method for the terminal device according to the second information, so as to improve the positioning accuracy and enhance the positioning performance.

[0560] Step 901 in the foregoing Figure 9 embodiment can be implemented by using a request position information message or other request messages. The other request messages can also be newly defined request messages or other existing request messages. For details, please refer to step 1001 in the foregoing Figure 10 embodiment.

[0561] Step 902 in the foregoing Figure 9 embodiment can be implemented by using a request position information message or other request messages. The other request messages can also be newly defined request messages or other existing request messages. For details, please refer to step 1001 in the foregoing Figure 10 embodiment.

[0562] Figure 10 Another embodiment of the communication method in the embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. Please refer to FIG. 10. Figure 10 The communication method includes the following steps.

[0563] 1001、The positioning device sends a request location information message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the request location information message from the positioning device.

[0564] Optionally, the request location information message comprises GNSS request location information. The third information is used for requesting the second information, and comprises: requesting the second information through the GNSS request location information.

[0565] In this implementation, the positioning device requests the second information from the terminal device through the GNSS request location information in the request location information message. In this way, a new information element does not need to be redefined, so that the information element structure of the request location information message is relatively simple. The GNSS request location information is usually used to list the location information requested by the positioning device from the terminal device. Therefore, the positioning device can request the second information through the GNSS request location information. This is helpful for the terminal device to understand the request of the positioning device for the second information.

[0566] It should be noted that the positioning device can request the second information in an implicit manner or an explicit manner.

[0567] For example, the positioning device explicitly requests the second information through the GNSS request location information of the request location information message.

[0568] For example, the positioning device sends the request location information message to the terminal device. After receiving the request location information message, the terminal device can feed back the second information to the positioning device. That is, the request location information message is a specific form of the request of the positioning device for the second information. The positioning device implicitly requests the second information from the terminal device through the request location information message.

[0569] 1002、The terminal device sends a provide location information message to the positioning device, and the provide location information message comprises the second information. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the provide location information message from the positioning device.

[0570] Optionally, the provide location information message comprises GNSS provide location information. The second information is carried in the GNSS provide location information.

[0571] For example, the second information comprises indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device. The indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device is carried in the GNSS provide location information.

[0572] For example, the second information comprises information of a cell type in which the terminal device is located. The information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located is carried in the GNSS provide location information.

[0573] For example, the second information comprises indoor or outdoor information of a cell in which the terminal device is located. The indoor or outdoor information of the cell in which the terminal device is located is carried in the GNSS provide location information.

[0574] For example, the second information comprises quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity. The quality information of the GNSS measurement quantity is carried in the GNSS provides location information.

[0575] Therefore, the second information is carried in the GNSS provides location information information element. In this way, there is no need to redefine a new information element, and the information element structure of the provides location information message is relatively simple. Moreover, the GNSS provides location information lists the location information provided by the terminal device to the positioning device. Therefore, the terminal device can send the second information to the positioning device through the GNSS provides location information. In this way, it is helpful for the positioning device to parse the second information.

[0576] Next, a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application is described. Please refer to Figure 11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 1100 comprises a sending unit 1101 and a receiving unit 1102. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 further comprises a processing unit 1103.

[0577] When the communication apparatus 1100 is a positioning device, or a chip in the positioning device, the communication apparatus 1100 can be used to execute all or part of the steps performed by the positioning device in the embodiments shown in the above Figures 2 to 10 . For details, please refer to the related descriptions of the embodiments shown in the above Figures 2 to 10 .

[0578] For example, the sending unit 1101 is used to execute step 201 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 2 , and the receiving unit 1102 is used to execute step 202 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 2 .

[0579] Optionally, the processing unit 1103 is used to execute step 203 and step 204 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 2 .

[0580] For example, the sending unit 1101 is used to execute step 301 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 3 , and the receiving unit 1102 is used to execute step 302 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 3 .

[0581] Optionally, the processing unit 1103 is used to execute step 303 and step 304 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 3 .

[0582] For example, the sending unit 1101 is used to execute step 401 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 , and the receiving unit 1102 is used to execute step 402 in the embodiments shown in the above Figure 4 .

[0583] For example, the sending unit 1101 is configured to perform the step 501 in the above Figure 5 embodiments, the receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the step 502 in the above Figure 5 embodiments.

[0584] Optionally, the processing unit 1103 is configured to perform the step 503 and the step 504 in the above Figure 5 embodiments.

[0585] Optionally, the receiving unit 1102 is further configured to perform the step 505 in the above Figure 5 embodiments.

[0586] For example, the sending unit 1101 is configured to perform the step 601 in the above Figure 6 embodiments, the receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the step 602 in the above Figure 6 embodiments.

[0587] Optionally, the receiving unit 1102 is further configured to perform the step 605 in the above Figure 6 embodiments.

[0588] For example, the sending unit 1101 is configured to perform the step 701 in the above Figure 7 embodiments, the receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the step 702 in the above Figure 7 embodiments.

[0589] Optionally, the processing unit 1103 is configured to perform the step 703 and the step 704 in the above Figure 7 embodiments.

[0590] For example, the sending unit 1101 is configured to perform the step 801 in the above Figure 8 embodiments, the receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the step 802 in the above Figure 8 embodiments.

[0591] For example, the sending unit 1101 is configured to perform the step 901 in the above Figure 9 embodiments, the receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the step 902 in the above Figure 9 embodiments.

[0592] Optionally, the processing unit 1103 is configured to perform the step 903 and the step 904 in the above Figure 9 embodiments.

[0593] For example, the sending unit 1101 is configured to perform the step 1001 in the above Figure 10The receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the steps 1001 in the embodiments described above. Figure 10 The receiving unit 1102 is configured to perform the steps 1002 in the embodiments described above.

[0594] A communication apparatus is described below. Please refer to Figure 12 FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 1200 includes a receiving unit 1201 and a sending unit 1202.

[0595] When the communication apparatus 1200 is an access network device, or a chip in the access network device, the communication apparatus 1200 can be configured to perform all or part of the steps performed by the access network device in the embodiments described above. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 Please refer to the related descriptions of the embodiments described above. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6

[0596] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is configured to perform the step 201 in the embodiments described above. Figure 2 The sending unit 1202 is configured to perform the step 202 in the embodiments described above. Figure 2

[0597] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is configured to perform the step 301 in the embodiments described above. Figure 3 The sending unit 1202 is configured to perform the step 302 in the embodiments described above. Figure 3

[0598] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is configured to perform the step 401 in the embodiments described above. Figure 4 The sending unit 1202 is configured to perform the step 402 in the embodiments described above. Figure 4

[0599] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is configured to perform the step 501 in the embodiments described above. Figure 5 The sending unit 1202 is configured to perform the step 502 in the embodiments described above. Figure 5

[0600] Optionally, the sending unit 1202 is further configured to perform the step 505 in the embodiments described above. Figure 5

[0601] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is configured to perform the step 601 in the embodiments described above. Figure 6 ​​​​​​In step 601 of the embodiment shown, the sending unit 1202 is used to perform the above Figure 6 Step 602 in the embodiment shown.

[0602] Optionally, the sending unit 1202 is further configured to execute the above Figure 6 Step 605 in the embodiment shown.

[0603] When the communication device 1200 is a terminal device, or a chip in a terminal device, the communication device 1200 can be used to perform the above Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device can be referred to above. Figure 7 、 Figure 8 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 Description of the illustrated embodiment.

[0604] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is used to perform the above Figure 7 In step 701 of the embodiment shown, the sending unit 1202 is used to perform the above Figure 7 Step 702 in the embodiment shown.

[0605] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is used to perform the above Figure 8 In step 801 of the embodiment shown, the sending unit 1202 is used to perform the above Figure 8 Step 802 in the embodiment shown.

[0606] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is used to perform the above Figure 9 In step 901 of the embodiment shown, the sending unit 1202 is used to perform the above Figure 9 Step 902 in the embodiment shown.

[0607] For example, the receiving unit 1201 is used to perform the above Figure 10 In step 1001 of the embodiment shown, the sending unit 1202 is used to perform the above Figure 10 Step 1002 in the embodiment shown.

[0608] This application also provides a communication device, see Figure 13 , another structural diagram of the communication device 1300 in an embodiment of the present application.

[0609] The communication device 1300 includes a processor 1301 , a memory 1302 , and a transceiver 1303 .

[0610] The processor 1301, the memory 1302 and the transceiver 1303 are connected by buses respectively, and the memory stores computer instructions.

[0611] When the communication apparatus 1300 is a positioning device, or a chip in the positioning device, the communication apparatus 1300 can be used to perform the steps performed by the positioning device in the embodiments shown above. The related description can be referred to the description in the method embodiments above. Figures 2 to 10

[0612] The foregoing Figure 11 The sending unit 1101 and the receiving unit 1102 shown above can be the transceiver 1303 specifically, and thus the specific implementation of the transceiver 1303 will not be repeated. The foregoing Figure 11 The processing unit 1103 shown above can be the processor 1301 specifically, and thus the specific implementation of the processor 1301 will not be repeated.

[0613] When the communication apparatus 1300 is an access network device, or a chip in the access network device, the communication apparatus 1300 can be used to perform the steps performed by the access network device in the embodiments shown above. The related description can be referred to the description in the method embodiments above. Figures 2 to 6

[0614] The foregoing Figure 12 The receiving unit 1201 and the sending unit 1202 shown above can be the transceiver 1303 in the embodiment, and thus the specific implementation of the transceiver 1303 will not be repeated.

[0615] The following shows a possible structure schematic diagram of a terminal device. Figure 14

[0616] A simplified structure schematic diagram of a terminal device is shown. In order to facilitate understanding and illustration, Figure 14 In the embodiment, the terminal device takes a mobile phone as an example. As shown in Figure 14 The terminal device includes a processor, a memory, a radio frequency circuit, an antenna and an input and output device. Figure 14 The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal device, executing software programs, processing data of the software programs and the like.

[0617] The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data.

[0618] The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing of the radio frequency signals.

[0619] The antenna is mainly used for transceiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0620]

[0621] ​​​Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, and the like, are primarily used to receive data input from a user and output data to a user. It should be noted that some types of terminal devices can not have input and output devices.

[0622] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, and sends the radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave through an antenna. When data is sent to the terminal device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0623] For ease of illustration, Figure 14 Only one memory and one processor are shown in the terminal device. In actual terminal device products, there can be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory can be independent of the processor or integrated with the processor. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0624] In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit with transceiving functions can be regarded as a transceiving unit of the terminal device, and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as a processing unit of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 14 The terminal device includes a transceiving unit 1410 and a processing unit 1420. The transceiving unit can also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver, etc. The processing unit can also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc.

[0625] Optionally, the devices in the transceiving unit 1410 for implementing the receiving function can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the devices in the transceiving unit 1410 for implementing the sending function can be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiving unit 1410 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The transceiving unit can also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit can also be referred to as a receiver, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc. The sending unit can also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0626] It should be understood that the transceiving unit 1410 is used to perform the sending operation and the receiving operation of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the processing unit 1420 is used to perform other operations of the terminal device in addition to the transceiving operation in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0627] In one possible implementation, the transceiving unit 1410 is configured to perform steps 701 and 702 in the embodiments shown in Figure 7

[0628] ​In another possible implementation, the transceiver 1410 is configured to perform the step 801 and the step 802 in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 .

[0629] In another possible implementation, the transceiver 1410 is configured to perform the step 901 and the step 902 in the embodiment shown in Figure 9 .

[0630] In another possible implementation, the transceiver 1410 is configured to perform the step 1001 and the step 1002 in the embodiment shown in Figure 10 .

[0631] When the terminal device is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver and a processing unit. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface, and the processing unit is a processor or a microprocessor integrated on the chip or an integrated circuit or a logic circuit. In the method embodiments, the sending operation corresponds to the output of the input / output circuit, and the receiving operation corresponds to the input of the input / output circuit.

[0632] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. Please refer to Figure 15 , Figure 15 for a schematic diagram of the communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes a positioning device and an access network device. The positioning device is configured to perform all or part of the steps performed by the positioning device in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 6 . The access network device is configured to perform all or part of the steps performed by the access network device in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 6 .

[0633] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 10 .

[0634] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 10 .

[0635] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip device including a processor, which is configured to invoke a computer program stored in a memory, so as to cause the processor to perform the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 10 .

[0636] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory through an interface.

[0637] Optionally, the chip device further includes the memory, and the memory stores the computer program.

[0638] The processor mentioned in any of the above can be a general central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the above Figures 2 to 10 The integrated circuit performing the program of the communication method of the embodiment shown.

[0639] The memory mentioned in any of the above can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0640] In addition, it should be noted that the above-described device embodiments are only illustrative, and the units illustrated as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components illustrated as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Part or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment. In addition, the connection relationship between the modules in the device embodiment provided in the present application indicates that there is a communication connection between them, which can be implemented as one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0641] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present application can be implemented by means of software and the necessary general hardware, and of course can also be implemented by special hardware including special integrated circuits, special CPUs, special memories, special components, etc. Generally, functions completed by computer programs can be easily implemented by corresponding hardware, and the specific hardware structure for implementing the same function can also be various, such as analog circuits, digital circuits or special circuits. However, for the present application, software program implementation is a better embodiment. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer floppy disk, U disk, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk, etc., including a plurality of instructions for making a computer device execute the methods of various embodiments of the present application.

[0642] In the above embodiments, all or part can be realized by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When realized by software, it can be realized in the form of a computer program product in whole or in part.

[0643] The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, network device, or local computing device, computing device or data center to another website, computer, network device, or local computing device, computing device or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can store or be integrated into a network device, or a local computing device, a data center, etc. Data storage device. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0644] It should be understood that the "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that the size of the sequence of the above processes in various embodiments of the present application does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0645] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of both. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the components and steps of the examples have been described in the above description in general terms. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0646] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0647] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely schematic, and the division of units is merely a logical function division, and there can be another division manner in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or in other forms.

[0648] The units described as separated components can or can not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. In actual implementation, some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purposes of the embodiments.

[0649] In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically as separate units, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware, or in the form of software functional units.

[0650] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in the embodiments of the present application.

[0651] In conclusion, the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the technical solutions of the present application, and are not used to limit the protection range of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection range of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The positioning device sends a request to an access network device, the request being used to request information of a cell type of the access network device; The cell type comprises: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or The cell type comprises any one of: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell; The positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device, the information of the cell type being used to select a positioning method for a terminal device; When indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the positioning device receives a positioning information update message from the access network device, the positioning information update message comprising at least one of: the changed indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, or the changed information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The positioning device sends a request to an access network device, the request comprising: The positioning device sends the request to the access network device through a transmission reception point (TRP) information request message; The positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device, the information of the cell type comprising: The positioning device receives the information of the cell type from the access network device through a TRP information response message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The TRP information request message comprises a TRP information type item; The request is used to request information of a cell type of the access network device, which comprises: requesting the information of the cell type of the access network device through the TRP information type item.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The TRP information response message comprises TRP information, and the information of the cell type is carried in the TRP information.

5. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: An access network device receives a request from a positioning device, the request being used to request information of a cell type of the access network device; The cell type comprises: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or The cell type comprises any one of: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell; The access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device, the information of the cell type being used to select a positioning method for a terminal device; When indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the access network device sends a positioning information update message to the positioning device, the positioning information update message comprising at least one of: the changed indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, or the changed information of the cell type in which the terminal device is located.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The access network device receives a request from a positioning device, the request comprising: The access network device receives the request from the positioning device through a transmission reception point (TRP) information request message; The access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device, the information of the cell type comprising: The access network device sends the information of the cell type to the positioning device through a TRP information response message.

7. A communication device, characterized by The communication device comprises: A sending unit configured to send a request to an access network device, the request being used to request information of a cell type of the access network device; The cell type comprises: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or The cell type comprises any one of: a macro station cell, a micro cell or a lamp station cell; receive, by a receiving unit, the cell type information from the access network device, the cell type information being used for selecting a positioning method for a terminal device; the receiving unit is further configured to receive, from the access network device, a positioning information update message when indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the positioning information update message including at least one of the following: the changed indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, or the changed cell type information in which the terminal device is located.

8. The communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sending unit is specifically configured to: send the request to the access network device by sending a transmission reception point (TRP) information request message; the receiving unit is specifically configured to: receive the cell type information from the access network device by receiving a TRP information response message.

9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein The TRP information request message includes a TRP information type item. The request is used to request the cell type information of the access network device, including: requesting the cell type information of the access network device by the TRP information type item.

10. The communication apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The TRP information response message includes TRP information, and the cell type information is carried in the TRP information.

11. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive a request from a positioning device, the request being used to request cell type information of the communication device; the cell type includes: an indoor cell or an outdoor cell; or the cell type includes any one of the following: a macro station cell, a micro cell, or a lamp station cell; a sending unit configured to send the cell type information to the positioning device, the cell type information being used for selecting a positioning method for a terminal device; the sending unit is further configured to send, to the positioning device, a positioning information update message when indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device changes, the positioning information update message including at least one of the following: the changed indoor or outdoor information of the terminal device, or the changed cell type information in which the terminal device is located.

12. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, the receiving unit is specifically configured to: receive the request from the positioning device by sending a transmission reception point (TRP) information request message; the sending unit is specifically configured to: send the cell type information to the positioning device by sending a TRP information response message.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, computer instructions, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 4; or cause the computer to perform the method of claim 5 or claim 6.

Images