time drift information associated with timing group delay

Abstract

In one aspect, a communication node (e.g., TRP or UE) obtains (e.g., measures) timing group delays associated with different positioning procedures to determine time drift information and reports the time drift information to an external entity for position estimation.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 022,273, filed May 8, 2020, entitled “TIME DRIFT INFORMATION ASSOCAITED WITH HARDWARE GROUP DELAYS,” and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 245,422, filed April 30, 2021, entitled “TIME DRIFT INFORMATION ASSOCAITED WITH HARDWARE GROUP DELAYS,” both of which are assigned to the assignee and the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically to time drift information associated with timing group delay. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless communication systems have evolved through different generations, including first-generation analog radiotelephony (1G), second-generation (2G) digital radiotelephony (including temporary 2.5G networks), third-generation (3G) high-speed data, wireless services supporting the Internet, and fourth-generation (4G) services (e.g., LTE or WiMax). Currently, many different types of wireless communication systems are in use, including cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems. Known examples of cellular systems include cellular analog Advanced Mobile Phone Systems (AMPS) and digital cellular systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and variants of the Global System for Mobile Access (GSM) based on TDMA.

[0005] The fifth-generation (5G) wireless standard, known as New Radio (NR), enables higher data transmission speeds, more connections, better coverage, and other improvements. According to the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance (NGC), the 5G standard aims to provide tens of megabits per second (Mbps) of data to each of tens of thousands of users, or 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to dozens of employees in an office building. To support large-scale wireless deployments, it should support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections. Therefore, the spectral efficiency of 5G mobile communications should be significantly improved compared to the current 4G standard. Furthermore, signaling efficiency should be improved, and latency should be significantly reduced compared to the current standard. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following presents a simplified summary relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. As such, the following summary should not be considered an extensive overview relating to all contemplated aspects, nor should the following summary be deemed to identify key or critical elements relating to all contemplated aspects or to delineate the scope associated with any particular aspect. The sole purpose of the following summary is to present some concepts relating to one or more aspects in a simplified form prior to the detailed description presented below.

[0007] In one aspect, a method of operating a transmission-reception point (TRP) includes obtaining, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, first timing information including a first timing group delay; obtaining, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between a second UE and the TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay; determining time drift information associated with the first and second timing group delays; and reporting the time drift information to an external entity.

[0008] In one aspect, a method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes obtaining, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between the UE and a first transmission-reception point (TRP), first timing information including a first timing group delay; obtaining, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between the UE and a second TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay; determining time drift information associated with the first and second timing group delays; and reporting the time drift information to an external entity.

[0009] In one aspect, a method of operating an entity includes receiving, from a transmission-reception point (TRP), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information obtained at a TRP at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, the second positioning procedure being between a second UE and the TRP; and determining a position estimate based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0010] In one aspect, a method of operating an entity includes receiving, from a user equipment (UE), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information obtained at the UE at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between the UE and a first transmission-reception point (TRP), the second positioning procedure being between the UE and a second TRP; and determining a position estimate of the UE based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0011] In one aspect, a transmission reception point (TRP) includes a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtain, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, first timing information including a first timing group delay; obtain, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between a second UE and the TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay; determine time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and report the time drift information to an external entity.

[0012] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: obtain, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), first timing information including a first timing group delay; obtain, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between the UE and a second TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay; determine time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and report the time drift information to an external entity.

[0013] In one aspect, an entity includes a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, from a transmission reception point (TRP), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information, the first and second timing information obtained at a TRP at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, the second positioning procedure being between a second UE and the TRP; and determine a positioning estimate based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0014] In one aspect, an entity includes a memory; at least one transceiver; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and the at least one transceiver, the at least one processor configured to: receive, from a user equipment (UE), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information, the first and second timing information obtained at the UE at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), the second positioning procedure being between the UE and a second TRP; and determine a positioning estimate of the UE based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0015] In one aspect, a transmission reception point (TRP) includes means for obtaining, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, first timing information including a first timing group delay; means for obtaining, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between a second UE and the TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay; means for determining time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and means for reporting the time drift information to an external entity.

[0016] In one aspect, a user equipment (UE) includes means for obtaining, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), first timing information including a first timing group delay; means for obtaining, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between the UE and a second TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay; means for determining time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and means for reporting the time drift information to an external entity.

[0017] In one aspect, an entity includes means for receiving, from a transmission reception point (TRP), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information obtained at the TRP at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, the second positioning procedure being between a second UE and the TRP; and means for determining a position estimate based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0018] In one aspect, an entity includes means for receiving, from a user equipment (UE), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information obtained at the UE at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), the second positioning procedure being between the UE and a second TRP; and means for determining a position estimate of the UE based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0019] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a transmission-reception point (TRP), cause the TRP to: obtain, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, first timing information comprising a first timing group delay; obtain, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between a second UE and the TRP, second timing information comprising a second timing group delay; determine time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and report the time drift information to an external entity.

[0020] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: obtain, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between the UE and a first transmission-reception point (TRP), first timing information comprising a first timing group delay; obtain, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between the UE and a second TRP, second timing information comprising a second timing group delay; determine time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and report the time drift information to an external entity.

[0021] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an entity, cause the entity to: receive, from a transmission-reception point (TRP), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information, the first and second timing information obtained at a TRP at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, the first positioning procedure being between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, the second positioning procedure being between a second UE and the TRP; and determine, based at least in part on the time drift information, a position estimate.

[0022] In one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions, the set of instructions comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an entity, cause the entity to: receive, from a user equipment (UE), time drift information associated with first and second timing group delays included in first and second timing information, the first and second timing information obtained at the UE at first and second times associated with first and second positioning procedures, the first positioning procedure being between the UE and a first transmission-reception point (TRP), the second positioning procedure being between the UE and a second TRP; and determine, based at least in part on the time drift information, a position estimate of the UE.

[0023] Other objects and advantages associated with the aspects disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the accompanying drawings and detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are presented to aid in the description of various aspects of the disclosure and are provided solely for illustration of such aspects and not limitation thereof.

[0025] Figure 1 An example wireless communication system is shown in accordance with various aspects.

[0026] Figure 2A And 2B An example wireless network structure is shown in accordance with various aspects.

[0027] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example UE in accordance with various aspects.

[0028] Figure 4A And 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a frame structure and channels within the frame structure in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0029] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example technique for determining a location of a UE using information obtained from multiple base stations.

[0030] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example timing of round trip time (RTT) measurement signals exchanged between a base station and a UE in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0031] Figure 7 An example wireless communication system is shown in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0032] Figure 8 An example wireless communication system is shown in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0033] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station and a UE in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0034] Figure 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) and a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) in accordance with other aspects of the disclosure.

[0035] Figure 11 is a diagram 1100 illustrating an example timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (gNB) (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) and a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

[0036] Figure 12 An exemplary wireless communication system is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 13 PRS resource allocation is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 14 PRS resource allocation is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 15 Configuration of an exemplary PRS instance is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 16 A positioning session comprising a series of PRS instances is shown in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 17 An exemplary method of wireless communication is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 18 An exemplary method of wireless communication is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figures 19-20 An exemplary method of wireless communication is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 17 Example implementations of the processes of FIG. 10.

[0044] Figures 21-22 An exemplary method of wireless communication is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 18 Example implementations of the processes of FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Aspects of the present disclosure are provided in the following description and related drawings assorted to provide a description of various examples. Alternatives to the examples provided in this disclosure are possible. Additionally, the disclosure is not limited to the details provided. Rather, the details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure.

[0046] The words “exemplary” and / or “example” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” and / or “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Likewise, the term “aspects of the disclosure” does not require that all aspects of the disclosure include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that can be referenced throughout the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof, depending in part on the particular applications, in part on the underlying technology, in part on the particular design choices made by a designer, and the like.

[0048] Further, many aspects are described in terms of sequences of actions to be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It will be recognized that various actions described herein can be performed by specific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)), by program instructions being executed by one or more processors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, the sequence(s) of actions described herein can be considered to be embodied entirely within any form of non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein

[0049] As used herein, the terms“user equipment” (UE) and“base station” are not intended to be specific or otherwise limited to any particular radio access technology (RAT), unless otherwise noted. Generally, a UE can be any wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile phone, router, tablet computer, laptop computer, tracking device, wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, glasses, augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headset, etc.), vehicle (e.g., automobile, motorcycle, bicycle, etc.), Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.) that a user uses to communicate over a wireless communications network. A UE can be mobile or can (e.g., at certain times) be stationary, and can communicate with a radio access network (RAN). As used herein, the term“UE” can be referred to as“access terminal” or“AT,”“client device,”“wireless device,”“subscriber device,”“subscriber terminal,”“subscriber station,”“user terminal” or UT, “mobile terminal,” “mobile station,” or variations thereof. Generally, UEs can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and through the core network the UEs can take part in communication with one another or other networks such as the Internet. Of course, other mechanisms of connecting to the core network and / or the Internet are also possible for the UEs, such as over wired access networks, wireless local area network (WLAN) networks (e.g., based on IEEE 802.11, etc.) and so on.

[0050] A base station can operate according to one of multiple RATs based on the network in which it is deployed, and can optionally be referred to as an access point (AP), a network node, a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a New Radio (NR) Node B (also referred to as a gNB or gNodeB), etc. In addition, in some systems, a base station can provide pure edge node signaling functions, while in other systems it can provide additional control and / or network management functions. A UE can transmit to a base station via communication link that can be referred to as an uplink (UL) channel (e.g., a reverse traffic channel, a reverse control channel, an access channel, etc.). A base station can transmit to a UE via communication link that can be referred to as a downlink (DL) or forward link channel (e.g., a paging channel, a control channel, a broadcast channel, a forward traffic channel, etc.). As used herein, the term traffic channel (TCH) can refer to UL / reverse or DL / forward traffic channels.

[0051] The term “base station” can refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple physical transmission points that can or can not be located at the same location. For example, where the term “base station” refers to a single physical transmission point, the physical transmission point can be an antenna of the base station corresponding to a cell of the base station. Where the term “base station” refers to multiple physical transmission points located at the same location, the physical transmission points can be an array of antennas of the base station (e.g., in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system or where the base station employs beamforming). Where the term “base station” refers to multiple physical transmission points not located at the same location, the physical transmission points can be a distributed antenna system (DAS) (a network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source via transmission media) or a remote radio head (RRH) (a remote base station connected to a serving base station). Alternatively, the physical transmission points not located at the same location can be the serving base station that receives the measurement report from the UE and the neighboring base station whose reference RF signals the UE is measuring.

[0052] An “RF signal” includes an electromagnetic wave at a given frequency that transports information between a transmitter and a receiver. As used herein, a transmitter can transmit a single “RF signal” or multiple “RF signals” to a receiver. However, due to the propagation characteristics of RF signals through multipath channels, a receiver can receive multiple “RF signals” corresponding to each transmitted RF signal. The same transmitted RF signal on different paths between the transmitter and receiver can be referred to as a “multipath” RF signal.

[0053] According to various aspects, Figure 1An example wireless communication system 100 is shown. The wireless communication system 100, which can also be referred to as a wireless wide area network (WW AN), can include various base stations 102 and various UEs 104. The base stations 102 can include macro cell base stations (high power cellular base stations) and / or small cell base stations (low power cellular base stations). In an aspect, the macro cell base station can include eNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to an LTE network, or gNBs where the wireless communication system 100 corresponds to a 5G network, or a combination of both, and the small cell base stations can include femto cells, pico cells, micro cells, etc.

[0054] The base stations 102 can collectively form a RAN and interface with a core network 170 (e.g., evolved packet core (EPC) or next generation core (NGC)) through backhaul links 122 (e.g., SI, X2, etc. interfaces), and with one or more location servers 172 through the core network 170. In addition to other functions, the base stations 102 can perform functions that relate to one or more of: transfer of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection setup and release, load balancing, non-access stratum (NAS) message transfer, NAS node selection, synchronization, RAN sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and equipment trace, RAN information management (RIM), paging, grooming, positioning, and warning message transmission. The base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., through the EPC / NGC) over backhaul links 134, which can be wired or wireless.

[0055] The base stations 102 can wirelessly communicate with the UEs 104. Each of the base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area 110. In an aspect, one or more cells can be supported by the base stations 102 in the geographic coverage area 110. A “cell” is a logical communication entity used for communication to UEs 104 in a

[0056] Although adjacent macro cell base stations 102 geographic coverage areas 110 can overlap in order to provide stronger or more consistent service to the users, some geographic coverage areas 110 can be designated as serving only macro cell access points 102 while other geographic coverage areas 110 can be designated as serving only small cell access points 102, or both. Such small cells 102 can be deployed, for example, to provide indoor coverage and / or coverage in high-traffic areas. There can be overlap in the coverage areas of the small cells 102 as shown in Figure 1.

[0057] The communication links 120 between the base stations 102 and the UEs 104 can include UL (also referred to as reverse link) transmissions from a UE 104 to a base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also referred to as forward link) transmissions from a base station 102 to a UE 104. The communication links 120 can use MIMO antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication links 120 can be through one or more carrier frequencies. Allocation of carriers can be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or less carriers can be allocated for DL than for UL).

[0058] Wireless communications system 100 can also include wireless local area network (WLAN) access points (APs) 150 in communication with WLAN stations (STAs) 152 via communication links 154 in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the WLAN STAs 152 and / or WLAN APs 150 can perform clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating, to determine whether the channel is available.

[0059] The small cell base stations 102' can operate in a licensed or an unlicensed spectrum. When operating in an unlicensed spectrum, the small cell base stations 102' can employ LTE or 5G technology and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as used by the WLAN APs 150. The small cell base stations 102' employing LTE / 5G in an unlicensed spectrum can enhance coverage and / or capacity of the access network. LTE in an unlicensed spectrum can be referred to as LTE unlicensed (LTE-U), licensed assisted access (LAA), or MulteFire.

[0060] The wireless communications system 100 can further include a millimeter wave (mmW) base station 180 that can operate in millimeter wave frequencies and / or near millimeter wave frequencies in communication with UEs 182. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the radio frequency (RF) in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band can be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near millimeter wave can extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. The super high frequency (SHF) band extends from 3 GHz to 30 GHz, also commonly called centimeter wave. Communications using the millimeter wave / near millimeter wave radio frequency band have higher path loss and a relatively shorter range. The mmW base station 180 and the UEs 182 can utilize beamforming (transmit and / or receive) over the millimeter wave communication link 184 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range. Further, it should be appreciated that in alternative configurations, one or more base stations 102 can also transmit using millimeter wave or near millimeter wave and beamforming. Thus, it should be appreciated that the foregoing illustrative overview is merely an example and should not be construed as a limitation of the various aspects disclosed herein.

[0061] Transmit beamforming is a technique for focusing the RF signal in a specific direction. Traditionally, when a network node (e.g., a base station) broadcasts a signal, it broadcasts the signal in all directions (omni-directionally). With transmit beamforming, the network node determines where a given target device (e.g., a UE) is located (relative to the transmitting network node) and projects a stronger downlink RF signal in that specific direction, which provides a faster (in terms of data rate) and stronger RF signal for the receiving device. To change the direction of the RF signal when transmitting, the network node can control the phase and relative amplitude of the RF signal at each of the one or more transmitters that are broadcasting the signal. For example, a network node can use an array of antennas (referred to as a “phased array” or “antenna array”) that creates a beam of signals that can be “steered” to point in different directions, without actually moving the antennas. Specifically, the RF current from the transmitter is fed to the individual antennas with the correct phase relationship so that the radio waves from the separate antennas add together to increase the radiation in a desired direction, while cancelling to suppress radiation in undesired directions.

[0062] The transmit beams can be quasi-collocated, meaning that they appear to have the same parameters at the receiver (e.g., UE), regardless of whether the network node’s own transmit antennas are physically collocated. In NR, there are four types of quasi-collocation relationships. Specifically, a given type of QCL relationship means that certain parameters about a second reference RF signal on a second beam can be derived from information about a source reference RF signal on a source beam. Thus, if the source reference RF signal is QCL Type A, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type B, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and Doppler spread of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type C, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the Doppler shift and average delay of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel. If the source reference RF signal is QCL Type D, the receiver can use the source reference RF signal to estimate the spatial receive parameters of a second reference RF signal transmitted on the same channel.

[0063] In receive beamforming, the receiver uses a receive beam to amplify an RF signal detected on a given channel. For example, the receiver can increase a gain setting and / or adjust a phase setting of an antenna array in a particular direction to amplify (e.g., increase a gain level of the RF signal) an RF signal received from that direction. Thus, when it is said that the receiver beamforms in a certain direction, it means that the beam gain in that direction is higher relative to the beam gain along other directions, or that the beam gain in that direction is the highest compared to the beam gain in that direction of all other receive beams available to the receiver. This results in a stronger received signal strength (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), etc.) of the RF signal received from that direction.

[0064] The receive beams can be spatially related. Spatially related means that parameters of a transmit beam for a second reference signal can be derived from information about a receive beam for a first reference signal. For example, a UE can receive a reference downlink reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) from a base station using a particular receive beam. The UE can then form a transmit beam for transmitting an uplink reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) to the base station based on parameters of the receive beam.

[0065] Note that a “downlink” beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming a downlink beam to transmit a reference signal to a UE, the downlink beam is a transmit beam. However, if a UE is forming a downlink beam, it is a receive beam to receive a downlink reference signal. Similarly, an “uplink” beam can be a transmit beam or a receive beam, depending on the entity forming it. For example, if a base station is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink receive beam, and if a UE is forming an uplink beam, it is an uplink transmit beam.

[0066] In 5G, the frequency spectrum in which wireless nodes (e.g., base stations 102 / 180, UEs 104 / 182) operate is divided into multiple frequency ranges, FR1 (from 450 to 6000 MHz), FR2 (from 24250 to 52600 MHz), FR3 (above 52600 MHz), and FR4 (between FR1 and FR2). In multi-carrier systems such as 5G, one of the carrier frequencies is referred to as the “primary carrier” or “anchor carrier” or “primary serving cell” or “PCell” and the remaining carrier frequencies are referred to as “secondary carriers” or “secondary serving cells” or “SCells”. In carrier aggregation, the anchor carrier is the carrier operating on the primary frequency (e.g., FR1) used by the UE 104 / 182 and the UE 104 / 182 in which the initial radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure or the RRC connection re-establishment procedure is performed. The primary carrier carries all common and UE-specific control channels. The secondary carrier is a carrier operating on a second frequency (e.g., FR2), which can be configured once the RRC connection is established between the UE 104 and the anchor carrier, and which can be used to provide additional radio resources. The secondary carrier can contain only necessary signaling information and signals, e.g., UE-specific signaling information and signals can not be present in the secondary carrier since both the primary uplink and downlink carriers are typically UE-specific. This means that different UEs 104 / 182 in a cell can have different downlink primary carriers. The same is true for the uplink primary carrier. The network is able to change the primary carrier for any UE 104 / 182 at any time. This is done, for example, to balance the load on different carriers. Because a “serving cell” (whether a PCell or an SCell) corresponds to a carrier frequency / component carrier on which a certain base station is communicating, the terms “cell”, “serving cell”, “component carrier”, “carrier frequency”, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0067] For example, still referring to Figure 1One of the frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 can be an anchor carrier (or "PCell"), and the other frequencies used by the macro cell base station 102 and / or the millimeter-wave base station 180 can be secondary carriers ("SCell"). Simultaneous transmission and / or reception on multiple carriers allows the UE 104 / 182 to significantly increase its data transmission and / or reception rates. For example, compared to the rate achieved by a single 20MHz carrier, the aggregation of two 20MHz carriers in a multi-carrier system will theoretically result in a doubling of the data rate (i.e., 40MHz).

[0068] The wireless communication system 100 may also include one or more UEs, such as UE 190, which are indirectly connected to one or more communication networks via one or more device-to-device (D2D) peer-to-peer (P2P) links. Figure 1 In the example, UE 190 has: a D2D P2P link 192 with one of UEs 104 connected to one of base stations 102 (e.g., UE 190 can indirectly obtain cellular connectivity through this link); and a D2D P2P link 194 with a WLAN STA 152 connected to a WLAN AP 150 (UE 190 can indirectly obtain WLAN-based Internet connectivity through this link). In one example, D2D P2P links 192 and 194 can be connected by any well-known D2D RAT (e.g., LTE Direct (LTE-D), WiFi Direct (WiFi-D), Bluetooth). (etc.) support.

[0069] The wireless communication system 100 may also include a UE 164, which can communicate with a macro cell base station 102 via a communication link 120 and / or with a millimeter-wave base station 180 via a millimeter-wave communication link 184. For example, the macro cell base station 102 may support PCells and one or more SCells for the UE 164, and the millimeter-wave base station 180 may support one or more SCells for the UE 164. In one aspect, the UE 164 may include a positioning component 166 that enables the UE 164 to perform the UE operations described herein. Note that, although Figure 1 Only one UE is illustrated as having a fully interleaved SRS component 166, but Figure 1 Any UE can be configured to perform the UE operations described herein.

[0070] According to various aspects, Figure 2AAn example wireless network structure 200 is shown. For example, the NGC 210 (also referred to as a “5GC”) can be viewed functionally as control plane functions 214 (e.g., UE registration, authentication, network access, gateway selection, etc.) and user plane functions 212 (e.g., UE gateway function, data networking, IP routing, etc.) which operate cooperatively to form the core network. User and control plane interface (NG-U) 213 and control plane interface (NG-C) 215 connect the gNB 222 to the NGC 210 and specifically to control plane functions 214 and user plane functions 212. In an additional configuration, an eNB 224 can also be connected to the NGC 210 via NG-C 215 to the control plane functions 214 and NG-U 213 to the user plane functions 212. Further, eNB 224 can directly communicate with gNB 222 via a backhaul connection 223. In some configurations, the New RAN 220 can only have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. The gNBs 222 or eNBs 224 can communicate with UEs 204 (e.g., Figure 1 Any of the UEs depicted in FIG. 2). Another optional aspect can include a location server 230, which can be in communication with the NGC 210 to provide location assistance to UEs 204. The location server 230 can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or can alternatively each correspond to a single server. The location server 230 can be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204, which can connect to the location server 230 via the core network, NGC 210, and / or via the Internet (not illustrated). Further, the location server 230 can be integrated into a component of the core network, or can alternatively be external to the core network.

[0071] According to various aspects, Figure 2BAnother example wireless network structure 250 is shown. For example, the NGC 260 (also referred to as a “5GC”) can be viewed functionally as control plane functions, provided by an access and mobility management function (AMF) / user plane function (UPF) 264, and user plane functions, provided by a session management function (SMF) 262, which operate together to form the core network (i.e., NGC 260). User and control plane interfaces 263 and 265, respectively, connect the eNB 224 to the NGC 260 and in particular to the SMF 262 and AMF / UPF 264. In an additional configuration, gNBs 222 can also be connected to the NGC 260 via the control plane interface 265 to the AMF / UPF 264 and user plane interface 263 to the SMF 262. Further, the eNB 224 can directly communicate with gNBs 222 via the backhaul connection 223, with or without gNB direct connectivity to the NGC 260. In some configurations, the New RAN 220 can only have one or more gNBs 222, while other configurations include one or more of both eNBs 224 and gNBs 222. Either gNB 222 or eNB 224 can communicate with UEs 204 (e.g., Figure 1 The base stations of the New RAN 220 communicate with the AMF-side of the AMF / UPF 264 over the N2 interface and with the UPF-side of the AMF / UPF 264 over the N3 interface.

[0072] The functions of the AMF include registration management, connection management, reachability management, mobility management, lawful intercept, transport for session management (SM) messages between the UE 204 and the SMF 262, transparent proxy services for routing SM messages, access authentication and access authorization, transport for short message service (SMS) messages between the UE 204 and the short message service function (SMSF) (not shown), and security anchor functionality (SEAF). The AMF also interacts with the authentication server function (AUSF) (not shown) and the UE 204, and it receives an intermediate key that was established as a result of the UE 204 authentication process. In the case of authentication based on a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) subscriber identity module (USIM), the AMF retrieves the security material from the AUSF. The functions of the AMF also include security context management (SCM). The SCM receives a key from the SEAF that it uses to derive access-network specific keys. The functions of the AMF also include location management for regulatory services, transport for location services messages between the UE 204 and the location management function (LMF) 270, and between the New RAN 220 and the LMF 270, evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identifier allocation for interworking with the EPS, and UE 204 mobility event notification. In addition, the AMF also supports functions for non-3GPP access networks.

[0073] Functions of the UPF include serving as an anchor point for intra- / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable), serving as an external protocol data unit (PDU) session point of interconnect to a data network (not shown), providing packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection, user plane policy rule enforcement (e.g., gating, redirection, traffic steering), lawful intercept (user plane collection), traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) handling for user plane (e.g., UL / DL rate enforcement, reflection QoS marking in DL), UL traffic verification (service data flow (SDF) to QoS flow mapping), transport level packet marking in UL and DL, DL packet buffering and DL data notification triggering, and sending and forwarding of one or more “end markers.”

[0074] Functions of the SMF 262 include session management, UE Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection and control of user plane functions, configuration of traffic steering at the UPF to route traffic to the proper destination, control of part of the policy enforcement and QoS, and downlink data notifications. The interface by which the SMF 262 communicates with the AMF side of the AMF / UPF 264 is referred to as the N11 interface.

[0075] Another optional aspect can include an LMF 270, which can be in communication with the NGC 260 to provide location assistance to UEs 204. The LMF 270 can be implemented as a plurality of separate servers (e.g., physically separate servers, different software modules on a single server, different software modules spread across multiple physical servers, etc.), or can alternatively each correspond to a single server. The LMF 270 can be configured to support one or more location services for UEs 204, which can connect to the LMF 270 via the core network, NGC 260, and / or via the Internet (not shown).

[0076] Figure 3Several example components (represented by corresponding blocks) of a UE 302 (which can correspond to any of the UEs described herein), a base station 304 (which can correspond to any of the base stations described herein), and a network entity 306 (which can correspond to or embody any of the network functions described herein, including location server 230 and LMF 270) are shown to support the file transfer operations taught herein. It will be appreciated that these components can be implemented in different implementations (e.g., in ASICs, in system-on-chips (SoCs), etc.) in different types of apparatuses. The components shown can also be incorporated into other apparatuses in a communication system. For example, other apparatuses in a system can include similar components to those described to provide similar functionality. In addition, a given apparatus can contain one or more components. For example, an apparatus can include multiple transceiver components that enable the apparatus to operate on multiple carriers and / or communicate via different technologies.

[0077] Each of UE 302 and base station 304 includes at least one wireless communication device (represented by communication devices 308 and 314 (and 320 if apparatus 304 is a relay)) for communicating with other nodes via at least one designated RAT. For example, communication devices 308 and 314 can communicate with each other over a wireless communication link 360, which can correspond to communication links 120 in FIG. 1. Figure 1 Each communication device 308 includes at least one transmitter (represented by transmitter 310) for transmitting and encoding signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.) and at least one receiver (represented by receiver 312) for receiving and decoding signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.). Similarly, each communication device 314 includes at least one transmitter (represented by transmitter 316) for transmitting signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) and at least one receiver (represented by receiver 318) for receiving signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.). If base station 304 is a relay station, each communication device 320 can include at least one transmitter (represented by transmitter 322) for transmitting signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, pilots, etc.) and at least one receiver (represented by receiver 324) for receiving signals (e.g., messages, indications, information, etc.).

[0078] The transmitters and receivers can include integrated devices (e.g., embodied as transmitter and receiver circuits of a single communication device, commonly referred to as a “transceiver”) in some implementations, separate transmitter devices and separate receiver devices in some implementations, or can be embodied in other manners in other implementations. The wireless communication devices of base station 304 (e.g., one of multiple wireless communication devices) can also include a network listening module (NLM), etc., for performing various measurements.

[0079] The network entity 306 (and the base station 304, if it is not a relay station) includes at least one communication device (represented by communication devices 326 and, optionally, 320) for communicating with other nodes. For example, the communication device 326 can include a network interface configured to communicate with one or more network entities via a wire-based or wireless backhaul 370 (which can correspond to the backhaul link 122 in Figure 1 some aspects, the communication device 326 can be embodied as a transceiver configured to support wire-based or wireless signal communication, and the transmitter 328 and receiver 330 can be integrated units. For example, such communication can involve sending and receiving messages, parameters, or other types of information. Thus, in examples where the communication device 326 is embodied as a transceiver, the transmitter 328 and receiver 330 can be used to perform the functions of the communication device 326. In some aspects, the communication device 326 can be configured to support both wire-based and wireless communication. Figure 3 Alternatively, the transmitter 328 and receiver 330 can be separate devices within the communication device 326. Similarly, if the base station 304 is not a relay station, the communication device 320 can include a network interface configured to communicate with one or more network entities 306 via a wire-based or wireless backhaul 370. Like the communication device 326, the communication device 320 is shown to include a transmitter 322 and receiver 324.

[0080] The apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 also include other components that can be used in conjunction with the file transfer operations disclosed herein. The UE 302 includes a processing system 332 for providing functionality relating to, for example, UE operations as described herein, as well as for providing other processing functionality. The base station 304 includes a processing system 334 for providing functionality relating to, for example, base station operations as described herein, as well as for providing other processing functionality. The network entity 306 includes a processing system 336 for providing functionality relating to, for example, network function operations as described herein, as well as for providing other processing functionality. The apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 include memory components 338, 340, and 342, respectively (e.g., each including a memory device), for maintaining information (e.g., information indicative of reserved resources, thresholds, parameters, etc.). In addition, the UE 302 includes a user interface 350 for providing indications (e.g., audible and / or visual indications) to a user and / or receiving user input (e.g., upon the user actuating a sensing device such as a keyboard, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc.). Although not shown, the apparatuses 304 and 306 can also include user interfaces.

[0081] Referring to the processing system 334 in more detail, in the downlink, IP packets from the network entity 306 can be provided to the processing system 334. The processing system 334 can implement functionality for a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a medium access control (MAC) layer. The processing system 334 can provide RRC layer functionality associated with broadcasting of system information (e.g., master information block (MIB), system information blocks (SIBs)), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-RAT mobility and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functionality associated with transfer of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, scheduling information reporting, error correction, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0082] The transmitter 316 and the receiver 318 can implement layer 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, which includes a physical (PHY) layer, can include error detection on the transport channels, forward error correction (FEC) coding / decoding of the transport channels, interleaving, rate matching, mapping to physical channels, modulation / demodulation of physical channels, and MIMO antenna processing. The transmitter 316 handles mapping to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to a subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined together using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator can be used to determine the coding and

[0083] At the UE 302, the receiver 312 receives a signal through its respective antenna(s). The receiver 312 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 332. The transmitter 310 and the receiver 312 implement Layer- 1 functionality associated with various signal processing functions. The receiver 312 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 302. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 302, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream, which is then converted to the time domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). For OFDM, the frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each subcarrier, and the reference signal, are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation points transmitted by the base station 304. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator. The soft decisions are then decoded and de-interleaved to recover the data and control signals that were originally transmitted on the physical channel by the base station 304. The data and control signals are then provided to the processing system 332, which implements Layer-3 and Layer-2 functionality.

[0084] In the UL, the processing system 332 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the core network. The processing system 332 is also responsible for error detection.

[0085] Similar to the functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by the base station 304, the processing system 332 provides RRC layer functionality associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIBs) acquisition, RRC connections, and measurement reporting; PDCP layer functionality associated with header compression / decompression, and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functionality associated with the transfer of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC SDUs, re-segmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functionality associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority handling, and logical channel prioritization.

[0086] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator from a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 304 can be used by the transmitter 310 to select the appropriate coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the transmitter 310 can be provided to different antenna(s). The transmitter 310 can modulate an RF carrier with a respective spatial stream for transmission.

[0087] The UL transmission is processed at the base station 304 in a manner similar to that described in connection with the receiver function at the UE 302. A receiver 318 receives the UL transmission through its respective antenna. The receiver 318 recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the information to the processing system 334.

[0088] In the UL, the processing system 334 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 302. IP packets from the processing system 334 can be provided to the core network. The processing system 334 is also responsible for error detection.

[0089] In one aspect, the apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 can include positioning components 344, 348, and 349, respectively. It should be understood that the functionality of the various positioning components 344, 348, and 349 can differ based on the device in which they are implemented. The positioning components 344, 348, and 349 can be hardware circuits that are part of or coupled to the processing systems 332, 334, and 336, respectively, which when executed cause the apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functionality described herein. Alternatively, the positioning components 344, 348, and 349 can be memory modules stored in the memory components 338, 340, and 342, respectively, which when executed by the processing systems 332, 334, and 336, cause the apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 to perform the functionality described herein.

[0090] For convenience, the apparatuses 302, 304, and / or 306 are shown Figure 3 as including various components that can be configured according to various examples described herein. It should be understood, however, that the illustrated blocks can have different functions in different designs.

[0091] The various components of the apparatuses 302, 304, and 306 can communicate with one another through data buses 352, 354, and 356, respectively. Figure 3 The components of the apparatuses can be implemented in various ways. In some embodiments, the components comprise hardware Figure 3The components of the UE 302 and the base station 304 can each be implemented in one or more circuits (e.g., one or more processors and / or one or more ASICs, which can include one or more processors). Here, each circuit can use and / or incorporate at least one memory component for storing information or executable code used by the circuit to provide the functionality described herein. For example, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 308, 332, 338, 344, and 350 can be implemented by the processor and memory component of the UE 302 (e.g., through execution of appropriate code and / or through proper configuration of the processor component). Similarly, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 314, 320, 334, 340, and 348 can be implemented by the processor and memory component of the base station 304 (e.g., through execution of appropriate code and / or through proper configuration of the processor component). Moreover, some or all of the functionality represented by blocks 326, 336, 342, and 349 can be implemented by the processor and memory component of the network entity 306 (e.g., through execution of appropriate code and / or through proper configuration of the processor component). For simplicity, various operations, acts, and / or functions are described herein as being performed by the UE, the base station, the positioning entity, and / or the like. However, as will be appreciated, such operations, acts, and / or functions can actually be performed by specific components or combinations of components (e.g., the processing systems 332, 334, 336, the communication devices 308, 314, 326, the positioning components 344, 348, and 349, and / or the like) of the UE, the base station, the positioning entity, and / or the like.

[0092] Various frame structures can be used to support downlink and uplink transmissions between network nodes (e.g., base stations and UEs).

[0093] Figure 4A FIG. 400 is a diagram 400 illustrating an example of a DL frame structure, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 4B FIG. 430 is a diagram 430 illustrating an example of channels within the DL frame structure, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Other wireless communication technologies can have different frame structures and / or different channels.

[0094] LTE, in some cases NR, utilizes OFDM on the downlink and some cases NR utilizes SC-FDM on the uplink. Unlike LTE, however, NR can also choose to use OFDM on the uplink. OFDM and SC-FDM partition the system bandwidth into multiple (K) orthogonal subcarriers, which are also commonly referred to as tones, bins, or the like. Each subcarrier can be modulated with data. In general, modulation symbols are sent in the frequency domain with OFDM and in the time domain with SC-FDM. The spacing of the adjacent subcarriers can be fixed, and the total number of subcarriers (K) can be dependent on the system bandwidth. For example, the spacing of the subcarriers can be 15 kHz and the minimum resource allocation (called a "resource block" or "RB") can be 12 subcarriers (or 180 kHz). Consequently, for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 megahertz (MHz), the nominal FFT size can be equal to 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048, respectively. The system bandwidth can also be partitioned into subbands. For example, a subband can cover 1.08 MHz (i.e., 6 resource blocks), and there can be 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 subbands for a system bandwidth of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20 MHz, respectively.

[0095] LTE supports a single numerical value (subcarrier spacing, symbol length, etc.). In contrast, NR can support multiple numerical values, e.g., subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 204 kHz or greater can be used. Table 1, provided below, lists some of the different parameters for the different NR numerical values.

[0096]

[0097] Table 1

[0098] In the example of Figure 4A and 4B , a numerology of 15 kHz is used. Thus, in the time domain, a frame (e.g., 10 ms) is divided into 10 equally sized subframes with a duration of 1 ms each, and each subframe includes one slot. In the example of Figure 4A and 4B , time is represented on the horizontal (e.g., x-axis) with increasing time from left to right, and frequency is represented on the vertical (e.g., y-axis) with increasing frequency from bottom to top (or decreasing frequency from top to bottom).

[0099] A resource grid can be used to represent the time slots, each time slot including one or more time-concurrent resource blocks (RBs) (also referred to as physical RBs (PRBs)) in the frequency domain. The resource grid is further divided into multiple resource elements (REs). An RE can correspond to one symbol-length in the time domain and one subcarrier in the frequency domain. In Figure 4A and4B The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0100] As illustrated, Figure 4A Some of the REs carry DL reference (pilot) signals (DL-RS) for channel estimation at the UE. The DL-RS can include demodulation reference signals (DMRS) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), whose example locations are labeled “R” in Figure 4A

[0101] Figure 4B An example of various channels within the DL subframe of a frame is shown. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DL control information (DCI) within one or multiple control channel elements (CCEs), each comprising nine RE groups (REGs), each REG including four consecutive REs in an OFDM symbol. The DCI carries information about UL resource allocation (persistent and non- persistent) and descriptions of DL data transmitted to the UE. Multiple (e.g., up to eight) DCIs can be configured in the PDCCH, and these DCIs can be in one of multiple formats. For example, there are different DCI formats for UL scheduling, non-MIMO DL scheduling, MIMO DL scheduling, and UL power control.

[0102] A UE uses the primary synchronization signal (PSS) to determine subframe / symbol timing and a physical layer identity. A UE uses the secondary synchronization signal (SSS) to determine a physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the physical layer identity and the physical layer cell identity group number, the UE can determine a PCI. Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the locations of the above-mentioned DL-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries an MIB, can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form an SSB (also referred to as SS / PBCH). The MIB provides a number of RBs in the DL system bandwidth and a system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information (e.g., system information blocks (SIBs)) not transmitted through the PBCH, and paging messages.

[0103] In some cases, Figure 4A ​The DL RS shown in FIG. 5 can be a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS). A set of resource elements used for transmission of a PRS is referred to as a “PRS resource.” A set of resource elements can span multiple PRBs in the frequency domain and N (e.g., 1 or more) consecutive symbols 460 within a slot 430 in the time domain. In a given OFDM symbol 460, a PRS resource occupies consecutive PRBs. A PRS resource is described by at least the following parameters: a PRS resource identifier (ID), a sequence ID, a comb size N, a resource element offset in the frequency domain, a starting slot and starting symbol, a number of symbols per PRS resource (i.e., a duration of the PRS resource), and QCL information (e.g., with other DL reference signals). Currently, one antenna port is supported. The comb size indicates the number of subcarriers that carry PRS in each symbol. For example, a comb-4 comb size means that every fourth subcarrier of a given symbol carries PRS.

[0104] A “PRS resource set” is a set of PRS resources for transmission of PRS signals, where each PRS resource has a PRS resource ID. Additionally, the PRS resources in a PRS resource set are associated with a same transmission-reception point (TRP). The PRS resource IDs in a PRS resource set are associated with a single beam transmitted from a single TRP (where a TRP can transmit one or more beams). That is, each PRS resource of a PRS resource set can be transmitted on a different beam, and thus, a “PRS resource” can also be referred to as a “beam.” Note that this has no bearing on whether the UE knows the TRP and the beam from which PRS is transmitted. A “PRS occasion” is one instance of a periodically repeating window of time (e.g., a group of one or more consecutive slots) in which PRS is expected to be transmitted. A PRS occasion can also be referred to as a “PRS positioning occasion,” a “positioning occasion,” or simply an “occasion.”

[0105] Note that the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” can sometimes refer to a particular reference signal used for positioning in LTE systems. However, as used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “positioning reference signal” and “PRS” refer to any type of reference signal that can be used for positioning, such as but not limited to the PRS signals in LTE, the Navigation Reference Signal (NRS) in 5G, the Transmitter Reference Signal (TRS), the Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), the Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), the SSB, etc.

[0106] Figure 5 An exemplary DL PRS 500 processed by a wireless communication system in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In Figure 5 In a positioning session (T PRS) by a cell (or transmission reception point (TRP)) on a series of beam-specific positioning occasions on the corresponding time slots / symbols. These PRS transmission beams are received at the UE as PRS reception beams, which are then processed (e.g., the UE makes various positioning measurements, etc.).

[0107] Figure 6 An exemplary wireless communication system 600 is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In Figure 6 In a TDOA-based positioning scheme, network synchronization error is a major bottleneck in terms of positioning accuracy.

[0108] Another positioning technique that requires cell (or satellite) synchronization is Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA). One example of an OTDOA-based positioning scheme is GPS, which has an accuracy limited to 50-100 ns (e.g., 15-30 meters).

[0109] In NR, precise timing synchronization across the network is not required. Instead, coarse timing synchronization (e.g., within the cyclic prefix (CP) duration of an OFDM symbol) between gNBs is sufficient. RTT-based methods typically only require coarse timing synchronization, and thus are the preferred positioning methods in NR.

[0110] In a network-centric RTT estimation, a serving base station (e.g., base station 102) instructs a UE (e.g., UE 104) to scan / receive RTT measurement signals (e.g., PRS) on the serving cells of two or more neighboring base stations (typically the serving base station, as at least three base stations are needed). One or more base stations transmit the RTT measurement signals on low-reuse resources (e.g., resources used by the base stations to transmit system information) allocated by the network (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270). The UE records the time of arrival (also referred to as time of reception, time of reception instance, time of reception or time of arrival (ToA)) of each RTT measurement signal relative to the UE’s current downlink timing (e.g., derived by the UE from DL signals received from its serving base station), as well as transmits a common or individual RTT response message (e.g., SRS, UL-PRS) to the one or more base stations (e.g., when instructed by its serving base station), and can include in the payload of each RTT response message the difference T Rx→Tx (e.g., Figure 9 T Rx→Tx912). The RTT response message will include a reference signal from which the base station can infer the ToA of the RTT response. By comparing the difference T Tx→Rx (For example, Figure 9 T Tx→Rx 922) to the difference T Rx→Tx (For example, Figure 9 T Rx→Tx 912), the base station can infer the propagation time between the base station and the UE, and can then determine the distance between the UE and the base station from this by assuming the speed of light during this propagation time.

[0111] UE-centric RTT estimation is similar to the network-based approach, with the difference being that the UE transmits uplink RTT measurement signals (e.g., when instructed by the serving base station), which are received by multiple base stations in the vicinity of the UE. Each involved base station responds with a downlink RTT response message, which can include in the RTT response message payload the time difference between the ToA of the RTT measurement signal at the base station and the transmission time of the RTT response message from the base station.

[0112] For both the network-centric and UE-centric procedures, the side that performs the RTT computation (the network or the UE) typically (though not always) transmits the first message or signal (e.g., the RTT measurement signal), while the other side responds with one or more RTT response messages or signals, which can include the difference between the ToA of the first message or signal and the transmission time of the RTT response message or signal.

[0113] Figure 7 An exemplary wireless communication system 700 is shown in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. In Figure 7In the example, UE 704 (which may correspond to any UE described herein) is attempting to calculate an estimate of its location, or assisting another entity (e.g., a base station or core network component, another UE, a location server, a third-party application, etc.) in calculating an estimate of its location. UE 704 can wirelessly communicate with multiple base stations 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 (collectively referred to as base station 702, and which may correspond to any base station described herein) using RF signals and standardized protocols for modulating RF signals and exchanging information packets. By extracting different types of information from the exchanged RF signals and utilizing the layout of the wireless communication system 700 (i.e., the location, geometry, etc. of the base stations), UE 704 can determine its location, or assist in determining its location, in a predefined reference coordinate system. In one aspect, UE 704 may use a two-dimensional coordinate system to specify its location; however, the aspects disclosed herein are not limited to this, and a three-dimensional coordinate system may also be used to determine location if additional dimensions are required. Furthermore, although... Figure 7 One UE 704 and three base stations 702 are shown, but it will be understood that more UE 704 and more base stations 702 may exist.

[0114] To support location estimation, base station 702 can be configured to broadcast reference RF signals (e.g., PRS, NRS, CRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PSS, SSS, etc.) to UE 704 within its coverage area, enabling UE 704 to measure the characteristics of such reference RF signals. For example, UE 704 can measure the ToA of a specific reference RF signal (e.g., PRS, NRS, CRS, CSI-RS, etc.) transmitted by at least three different base stations 702, and can use RTT positioning methods to report these ToA (and additional information) back to serving base station 702 or another positioning entity (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270).

[0115] In one aspect, although described as UE 704 measuring a reference RF signal from base station 702, UE 704 may measure a reference RF signal from one of a plurality of cells supported by base station 702. In the case where UE 704 measures a reference RF signal transmitted by a cell supported by base station 702, at least two other reference RF signals measured by UE 704 to perform the RTT procedure may be different from those of the cells supported by base station 702, and may have good or poor signal strength at UE 704.

[0116] To determine the location (x, y) of UE 704, the entity determining the location of UE 704 needs to know the location of base station 702, which can be represented in the reference coordinate system as (x, y). k y k ), among whichFigure 7 In the example, k = 1, 2, 3. When determining the location of UE 704 from one of the base stations 702 (e.g., the serving base station) or UE 704, the location of the base station 702 involved can be provided to the serving base station 702 or UE 704 by a location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) that knows the network geometry. Alternatively, the location server can use the known network geometry to determine the location of UE 704.

[0117] UE 704 or the corresponding base station 702 can determine the distance (d) between UE 704 and the corresponding base station 702. k (where k = 1, 2, 3). In one aspect, an RTT 710 can be performed to determine the signals exchanged between UE 704 and any base station 702 and convert them to distance (dk). As discussed further below, RTT techniques can measure the time between sending a signaling message (e.g., a reference RF signal) and receiving a response. These methods can utilize calibration to eliminate any processing delays. In some environments, it can be assumed that the processing delays of UE 704 and base station 702 are the same. However, this assumption may not hold true in practice.

[0118] Once each distance dk is determined, UE 704, base station 702, or location server (e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) can solve for the position (x, y) of UE 704 using various known geometric techniques (e.g., trilateration). Figure 7 It can be seen that UE 704 is ideally located at the common intersection of three semicircles, each semicircle consisting of a radius dk and a center (x). k y k ) is defined, where k = 1, 2, 3.

[0119] In some instances, additional information can be obtained in the form of angle of arrival (AoA) or angle of departure (AoD), which defines the direction of a straight line (e.g., it can be in the horizontal plane or in three dimensions) or a range of possible directions (e.g., for UE 704, the location from base station 702). The intersection of two directions at or near a point (x, y) can provide another estimate of the location of UE 704.

[0120] Location estimation (e.g., for UE 704) may be referred to by other names, such as location estimate, location, orientation, fixed location, etc. Location estimation may be geodetic and include coordinates (e.g., latitude, longitude, and possible altitude), or it may be civil and include street addresses, postal addresses, or some other verbal description of the location. Location estimation may be further defined relative to another known location or in absolute terms (e.g., using latitude, longitude, and possible altitude). Location estimation may include anticipated errors or uncertainties (e.g., by including an area or volume within which the location is expected to be included at a specified or default confidence level).

[0121] Figure 8 An exemplary wireless communication system 800 according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. Although Figure 7 An example of a multi-cell RTT positioning scheme is described, but Figure 8 An example of a single-cell RTT positioning scheme is depicted. Figure 8 In this process, RTT1 is measured together with AoD1, which is associated with the beam that transmits DL-PRS from the cell to the UE. Figure 9 The overlapping area of ​​RTT1 and AoD1 depicted in the figure provides a rough location estimate for the associated UE.

[0122] Figure 9 Figure 900 illustrates exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between base station 902 (e.g., any base station described herein) and UE 904 (e.g., any UE described herein) according to aspects of this disclosure. Figure 9 In the example, base station 902 sends an RTT measurement signal 910 (e.g., PRS, NRS, CRS, CSI-RS, etc.) to UE 904 at time T1. The RTT measurement signal 910 has a propagation delay T as it travels from base station 902 to UE 904. Prop At time T2 (ToA of RTT measurement signal 910 at UE 904), UE 904 receives / measures RTT measurement signal 910. After some UE processing time, UE 904 sends RTT response signal 920 at time T3. During the propagation delay T... Prop Subsequently, at time T4 (ToA of RTT response signal 920 at base station 902), base station 902 receives / measures RTT response signal 920 from UE 904.

[0123] To identify the ToA (e.g., T2) of a reference signal (e.g., RTT measurement signal 910) transmitted by a given network node (e.g., base station 902), a receiver (e.g., UE 904) first jointly processes all resource elements (REs) on the channel over which the transmitter is transmitting the reference signal, and performs an inverse Fourier transform to convert the received reference signal to the time domain. The conversion of the received reference signal to the time domain is referred to as an estimate of the channel energy response (CER). The CER shows the peaks on the channel as a function of time, so the earliest “significant” peak should correspond to the ToA of the reference signal. Typically, the receiver will use a noise-dependent quality threshold to filter out spurious local peaks, thus likely correctly identifying the significant peak on the channel. For example, the receiver can select the ToA estimate that is the earliest local maximum of the CER, that is at least X dB higher than the median of the CER, and that is at most Y dB lower than the main peak on the channel. The receiver determines the CER for each reference signal from each transmitter in order to determine the ToA for each reference signal from different transmitters.

[0124] The RTT response signal 920 can explicitly include the difference between time T3 and time T2 (i.e., T Rx→Tx 912). Alternatively, it can be derived from the timing advance (TA), i.e., the relative UL / DL frame timing and the nominal position of the UL reference signal. (Note that the TA is typically the RTT between the base station and the UE, or twice the propagation time in one direction.) Using this measurement and the difference between time T4 and time T1 (i.e., T Tx→Rx 922), the base station 902 (or other positioning entity, e.g., location server 230, LMF 270) can compute the distance to the UE 904 as:

[0125]

[0126] where c is the speed of light.

[0127] Figure 10 FIG. 1000 shows exemplary timing of RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) and a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein) in accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 10 1002-1004 of FIG. 1000 represent the portion of the frame delay associated with the Rx-Tx difference measured at the gNB and the UE, respectively.

[0128] An additional source of delay or error is due to UE and gNB timing group delays for position location. As used herein, “timing group delay” can include hardware group delay (e.g., due to internal hardware delays between baseband (BB) components and antennas at the UE and gNB). In certain cases, timing group delay can further include some delay due to UE or gNB specific software and / or firmware.

[0129] Figure 11 FIG. 1100 shows exemplary timing showing RTT measurement signals exchanged between a base station (gNB) (e.g., any of the base stations described herein) and a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein), in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 11 In certain aspects, Figure 9 However, in Figure 11 , UE and gNB timing group delays (in certain cases, primarily due to internal hardware delays between baseband (BB) components and antennas at the UE and gNB) are shown with respect to 1102-1108 (denoted as Rx and Tx). As will be appreciated, Tx-side and Rx-side path-specific or beam-specific delays impact RTT measurements.

[0130] Figure 12 FIG. 1200 shows an exemplary wireless communication system, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 1200 is similar to the wireless communication system 600 of Figure 6 However, the wireless communication system 1200 further depicts beams associated with respective TOA (e.g., TDOA) measurements (denoted as T1, T2, and T3). As will be appreciated, Rx-side path-specific or beam-specific delays impact DL TDOA measurements. Although not explicitly shown, Tx-side path-specific or beam-specific delays impact UL-TDOA measurements in a similar manner.

[0131] The accuracy of the positioning estimate at the UE on the UE side is limited by how fine a degree of group delay / timing error can be maintained. For example, 1 ns error of Rx and Tx can result in an accuracy limit of about 2 feet. Some 3GPP standards target positioning accuracy to be less than 3 m (for Rel-16) and less than 1 m (for Rel-17 for general commercial). Thus, knowing the UE and / or gNB timing group delays can help improve positioning accuracy.

[0132] As used herein, a positioning session can include multiple PRS instances, where each PRS instance includes a PRS resource set. A PRS resource set in turn includes multiple PRS resources. For example, in some implementations, a positioning session spans approximately 20 seconds, while each PRS instance spans approximately 160 ms. DL-PRS resources can be repeated to facilitate Rx beam sweeping across different repetitions, combining gains for coverage extension, and / or intra-instance muting. In certain designs, a PRS configuration can support multiple repetition counts (PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor) and multiple time intervals (PRS-ResourceTimeGap), as shown in Table 2:

[0133]

[0134]

[0135] Table 2

[0136] Figure 13 A PRS resource allocation 1300 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The PRS resource allocation 1300 reflects a DL-PRS resource set with 4 resources, PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor of 4, and PRS-ResourceTimeGap of 1 slot.

[0137] Figure 14 A PRS resource allocation 1400 is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The PRS resource allocation 1400 reflects a DL-PRS resource set with 4 resources, PRS-ResourceRepetitionFactor of 4, and PRS-ResourceTimeGap of 1 slot.

[0138] Figure 15 A configuration of an example PRS instance 1500 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The PRS instance 1500 is configured with FR1 TDD, 8 PRS resources per TRP, 30 KHz, and a DDDSU format (2.5 milliseconds). For PRS resources with a comb-6 / 6-symbol repetition factor of 4, all 8 PRS resources can span a 2.5*8 = 20 millisecond time window. Assuming the PRS resources are on for 1 out of X slots, the above 20 millisecond “PRS instance” would fit all beams from 6*X beams of a different TRP that are completely muted, and the remaining non-orthogonal (e.g., X = 4 would mean that the UE can sample all 8 beams of a 24 TRP that are completely muted). In FR2, the time span of a PRS instance can easily span a 40 millisecond time window.

[0139] Figure 16 A positioning session 1600 including a series of PRS instances is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Ideally, all measurements for generating a position fix should be taken simultaneously. If measurements are performed at different points in time to yield a position fix, UE motion as well as changes in UE clock and gNB clock can result in measurement errors, which ultimately can yield position errors. For example, a parts-per-billion (ppb) UE clock drift can yield a measurement error of 1 s x 10 ns / s = 10 ns ~ 3 m for two measurements separated by 1 s. For measurements taken at different times, but all used to generate the same position, both UE motion and UE clock drift and gNB clock drift can result in significant errors in the measurements. In some designs, the core measurements and performance requirements for UE Rx-Tx time difference apply if the SRS slot offset (SRS-Slot-offset) and SRS periodicity parameters of the configuration of the SRS resource for positioning are such that any SRS transmission is within [ -X, X] milliseconds of at least one DL PRS resource from each TRP in the assistance data (e.g., in some designs, X = 25 milliseconds).

[0140] Differential RTT is another positioning scheme in which the difference between two RTT measurements (or measurement ranges) is used to generate a position estimate for the UE. For example, RTTs can be estimated between a UE and two gNBs. A position estimate for the UE can then be narrowed down to the intersection (e.g., hyperbola) of the geographic ranges mapped to these two RTTs. RTTs to additional gNBs (or to particular TRPs of such gNBs) can further narrow down (or improve) the position estimate for the UE.

[0141] In some designs, a positioning engine (e.g., at the UE, base station, or server / LMF) can choose between using typical RTT or differential RTT for computing a position estimate using RTT measurements. For example, if the positioning engine receives RTTs that are known to have already taken into account timing group delays, then a typical RTT positioning is performed (e.g., as shown in FIG. 16). Otherwise, in some designs, differential RTT is performed so that the timing group delays can be cancelled out. In some designs in which the positioning engine is implemented on the network side (e.g., gNB / LMU / eSMLC / LMF), the timing group delays at the UE are unknown (and vice versa). Figures 6-7

[0142] Examples of theoretical Rx-Tx delay measurements between a UE and base stations 1 and 2 are as follows, respectively:

[0143]

[0144] where w represents the timing group delay. ​

[0145] As will be appreciated, if the timing group delay w is the same for both knows then when the difference between knows is taken, the timing group delay w cancels out completely. However, a problem that can arise is that the timing group delay w does not actually remain constant, but rather changes over time, as follows:

[0146]

[0147] where w(t1) and w(t2) reflect the timing group delay at time instances t1 and t2, respectively.

[0148] In this case, when the difference between knows is taken, there is a residual error due to the difference between w(t1) and w(t2). This residual error is due to a phenomenon referred to herein as time drift. For example, time drift in the timing group delay can occur due to various environmental factors, such as humidity, temperature, etc.

[0149] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure aim to reduce the error due to time drift associated with the positioning procedure (e.g., RTT, differential RTT, or OTDOA) of the UE, which provides a technical advantage of obtaining a more accurate positioning estimate.

[0150] Figure 17 An exemplary process 1700 of wireless communication in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. Process 1700 can be performed by a communication node. In some designs, the communication node performing process 1700 is a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein). In other designs, the communication node performing process 1700 is a BS (e.g., any of the BSs or gNBs described herein). For example, in Figure 11 , the UE reports the Rx-Tx measurement, which factors into the gNB’s RTT measurement, in which case process 1700 would be performed by the UE. However, the process can be reversed, whereby the gNB reports the Rx-Tx measurement, which factors into the UE’s RTT measurement, in which case process 1700 would be performed by the BS (or gNB). Moreover, process 1700 is also applicable to non-RTT positioning techniques, such as DL or UL TD0A (e.g., in which case only the Rx or Tx timing group delay is reported and / or factored into the positioning procedure), as will be described in greater detail below.

[0151] At 1710, the communication node (e.g., transmitter 310, receiver 312, processing system 332, transmitter 316, receiver 318, and / or processing system 334) obtains, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure (e.g., TDOA, RTT, etc.) between the first UE and the first TRP, first timing information including a first timing group delay. In some designs, the first timing information can correspond to a measurement of a reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS or UL-PRS or SL-PRS), e.g., Figure 9 T2 or T4 of 1400, or Figure 11 t2 or t4 of 1400. In other designs, the first timing information can correspond to a measurement (or determination) of a transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS or UL-PRS or SL-PRS), e.g., Figure 9 T1 or T3 of 1400, or Figure 11 t1 or t3 of 1400. In one example, the first timing group delay can include a Rx timing group delay (e.g., for UL / DL TDOA), a Tx timing group delay (e.g., for UL / DL TDOA), or a Rx-Tx timing group delay (e.g., for RTT).

[0152] At 1720, the communication node (e.g., transmitter 310, receiver 312, processing system 332, transmitter 316, receiver 318, and / or processing system 334) obtains, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure (e.g., TDOA, RTT, etc.) between the second UE and the second TRP, second timing information including a second timing group delay. In some designs, the second timing information can correspond to a measurement of a reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS or UL-PRS or SL-PRS), e.g., Figure 9 T2 or T4 of 1400, or Figure 11 t2 or t4 of 1400. In other designs, the second timing information can correspond to a measurement (or determination) of a transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS or UL-PRS or SL-PRS), e.g., Figure 9 T1 or T3 of 1400, or Figure 11 t1 or t3 of 1400. In one example, the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay can include a Rx timing group delay (e.g., Figure 11 1104 or 1106 of 1100, e.g., for UL / DL TDOA), a Tx timing group delay (e.g., Figure 11 1102 or 1108 of 1100, e.g., for UL / DL TDOA), or a Rx-Tx timing group delay (e.g., Figure 111104-1108 or 1106-1100 in FIG. 11, e.g., for RTT). In some designs, the first and second TRPs correspond to the same TRP, while the first and second UEs correspond to different UEs. In other designs, the first and second TRPs correspond to different TRPs, while the first and second UEs correspond to the same UE.

[0153] At 1730, the communication node (e.g., processing system 332 or processing system 334) determines time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay. As will be described in greater detail below, the time drift information can include various information, such as a direct or indirect indication of one or more time drift functions, a time period for which the time drift information remains valid, and so on.

[0154] At 1740, the communication node (e.g., transmitter 310, transmitter 316, or transmitter 322) reports the time drift information to an external entity. In one example, the external entity can correspond to a UE, one of the TRPs (e.g., a TRP associated with a serving base station for the UE, which can include an integrated LMF), or a remote server such as an LMF network entity.

[0155] Reference Figure 17 In some designs, the communication node (e.g., memory 338, 340, 342, and so on) can store the time drift information, in addition to or instead of the reporting at 1740. For example, the communication node can retain the time drift information for use in subsequent positioning procedures. In a particular example, the communication node can correspond to a UE that stores the time drift information as part of a UE-based multi-cell RTT procedure.

[0156] Figure 18 An example process 1800 of wireless communication is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The process 1800 can be performed by an entity. In one example, the entity performing the process 1800 can correspond to the external entity from 1740 of FIG. 17, to which the time drift information is reported. In some designs, the entity performing the process 1800 is a UE (e.g., any of the UEs described herein). In other designs, the communication node performing the process 1800 is a BS (e.g., any of the BSs or gNBs described herein). In other designs, the communication node performing the process 1800 is a network entity such as an LMF network entity (e.g., 306 of FIG. 3). As with the process 1700 of FIG. 17, the process 1800 is applicable to non-RTT positioning techniques such as DL or UL TDOA (e.g., in which only Rx timing group delays or Tx timing group delays are considered into the positioning procedure), as will be described in greater detail below. Figure 17 Figure 3 Figure 17 As with the process 1700 of FIG. 17, the process 1800 is applicable to non-RTT positioning techniques such as DL or UL TDOA (e.g., in which only Rx timing group delays or Tx timing group delays are considered into the positioning procedure), as will be described in greater detail below.

[0157] ​​At 1810, the entity (e.g., receiver 312, receiver 318, or receiver 330) receives data from the communication node (e.g., the execution node). Figure 17 The communication node of process 1700 receives time drift information associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in the first timing information and the second timing information. The first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the entity at a first time and a second time respectively associated with the first and second positioning processes. The first positioning process is between the first UE and the first TRP, and the second positioning process is between the second UE and the second TRP. In some designs, the first timing information and the second timing information may correspond to a measurement of the reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T2 or T4 or Figure 11 t2 or t4. In other designs, the first and second timing information may correspond to the measurement (or determination) of the transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T1 or T3 or Figure 11 t1 or t3. In one example, the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay may include the Rx timing group delay (e.g., Figure 11 1104 or 1106 in, for example, for UL / DL TDOA), Tx timing group delay (e.g., Figure 11 1102 or 1108 in, for example, for UL / DL TDOA) or Rx-Tx timing group delay (e.g., Figure 11 In some designs, the first and second TRPs correspond to the same TRP, while the first and second UEs correspond to different UEs. In other designs, the first and second TRPs correspond to different TRPs, while the first and second UEs correspond to the same UE.

[0158] At 1820, the entity (e.g., processing system 332 or positioning component 344, processing system 334 or positioning component 348, processing system 336 or positioning component 349) determines a positioning estimate (e.g., for the UE performing the positioning procedure using a first TRP or a second TRP) at least in part based on time drift information. Various examples of 1820 will be described in more detail below.

[0159] refer to Figures 17-18In some designs, the first and second positioning procedures correspond to first and second RTT measurements. In a specific example, the first and second RTT measurements are part of a differential RTT measurement procedure. However, the first and second RTT measurements can alternatively be used as part of a so-called normal (or non-differential) RTT measurement procedure. In other designs, the first and second positioning procedures correspond to uplink or downlink TDOA measurements.

[0160] Reference Figures 17-18 In one example, the time drift information indicates a drift rate function, and from which a relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the drift rate function and a difference between the first time and the second time. In one example, the time drift function can specify a ppb clock drift (e.g., a UE ppb clock drift or a BS ppb clock drift) over a defined time interval. For example, the drift rate function can be expressed as r drift where the first and second timing measurements are made at ti and t2, as follows:

[0161]

[0162]

[0163] In some designs, r drift may include a linear function (e.g., different time intervals between ti and t2 would result in a linearly scaled timing group delay offset), such as a piecewise linear function. In other designs, the drift rate function can include a non-linear function (e.g., different time intervals between ti and t2 would not result in a linearly scaled timing group delay offset).

[0164] In some designs, r drift is calibrated at ti, so that r drift is only used to calculate In other designs, r drift may be calculated at a third time to at a time prior to ti, where to corresponds to a time at which the communication node performed a previous time drift calibration, in which case equations 5 and 6 can be updated as follows:

[0165]

[0166] As will be appreciated, if r drift is calibrated at ti, then ti = to and equations 7 and 8 will revert back to equations 5 and 6.

[0167] In another example, an uncertainty level associated with a first time drift (e.g., r drift • (ti - to)) and an uncertainty level associated with a second time drift (e.g., rdrift The second uncertainty level associated with (t2-t0) can be determined by the communication node and / or entity. In one example, the first uncertainty level can be based in part on a first difference between the first time (ti) and the third time (to), and the second uncertainty level can be based in part on a second difference between the second time (t2) and the third time (t2). For example, a larger time interval from the third time (to) can be associated with more uncertainty. In another example, the first and second uncertainty levels can be configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first and second positioning procedures, respectively (e.g., timing measurements with more certainty receive more weight in the respective positioning procedure). In some designs, the uncertainty level can be indicated indirectly, for example by specifying an upper or lower bound on the quality of t drift or the known degree of t drift . Below, examples are provided for equations regarding the first time (ti) and the second time (t2), although it will be understood that in other examples these times can be defined relative to another reference time (to), particularly in scenarios where the drift affects timing measurements at both the first time (ti) and the second time (t2).

[0168] Referring to Figures 17-18 , in another example, the time drift information can be associated with a time period for which a drift rate function remains valid. For example, in certain cases, a linear drift rate can remain valid for a longer time period than a non-linear drift rate. In some designs, the time period can be determined dynamically based on one or more factors (e.g., SCS, UE capability, PRS / SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof). In a particular example, the time period can be specified as T c * 2 k / second, where k can depend on one or more factors (e.g., SCS, UE capability, PRS / SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof). In one example, T c = 0.5 nanoseconds. In one example, the size of various fields in the time domain for various embodiments of the present disclosure is expressed in time units T = / (Af · N), where Af max = 480 · 10 3 Hz and N f = 4096. The constant K = T s / T c = 64, where T s = 1 / (Af ref · N f，ref ), Af ref = 15 · 10 3 Hz and N f，ref = 2048.

[0169] In some designs, the time period can be communicated in the downlink direction via downlink control indication (DCI) or MAC-CE signaling. In other designs, the time period can be communicated in the uplink direction via uplink control indication (UCI) or MAC-CE signaling. In some designs, the time period can be expressed as r drift A maximum time difference between t2-t1 that is valid (e.g., if the time difference is greater than the reported value, the accuracy requirements of the positioning estimate do not apply).

[0170] In some designs, the communication node can be configured to report how the variance of the uncertainty of the timing group delay drifts over time, e.g.,

[0171]

[0172] In some designs, the communication node can be configured to report the maximum time that the uncertainty is within a configured or reported upper bound, e.g.,

[0173]

[0174] In other words, there is drift, but it is unknown, but what is known is that, in the worst case, for the maximum time difference between t1 and t2, the unknown error due to time drift is bounded by the value V.

[0175] For example, Var{} can be configured as a decay function such that longer time periods (or time intervals) receive a higher level of uncertainty.

[0176] Referring to Figures 17-18 In some designs, r drift And the reporting of Var{} can be separate for Rx timing group delay and Tx timing group delay, e.g.,

[0177]

[0178]

[0179] In some designs, where the communication note corresponds to a UE, the UE can report the time drift information as part of the UE capability message. In other designs, the UE can report the time drift information as part of each positioning measurement report (as an addition to the actual measurements). In other designs, the reporting of the time drift information can be implemented via RRC, LPP, MAC-CE, or DCI signaling.

[0180] Referring to Figures 17-18 In some designs, the time drift information can include a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions (r drift 1...N) includes one or more drift rate functions that are:

[0181] each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID,

[0182] each frequency band,

[0183] each component carrier,

[0184] each positioning technology,

[0185] each panel,

[0186] each Tx chain,

[0187] each Rx chain,

[0188] each downlink or uplink Rx,

[0189] each downlink or uplink Tx, or

[0190] any combination thereof.

[0191] Referring to Figures 17-18 In some designs, the reference drift rate function can be expressed as r drift_reference and one or more of the drift rate functions can be defined via an offset relative to r drift_reference This can be particularly beneficial in implementations involving a large number of drift rate functions (e.g., N > threshold).

[0192] Referring to Figures 17-18 In one example, in some designs, one or more drift rate functions can be included as part of the time drift information. However, in other designs, the time drift function can be indicated via a differential time drift function parameter that indirectly indicates the time drift function. In this case, the differential time drift function parameter serves as an offset relative to a previously reported time drift function. In some designs, one advantage of this approach is that the differential time drift function parameter typically occupies fewer bits (i.e., less overhead) relative to the time drift function.

[0193] While processes 1700-1800 of Figures 17-18 are described with respect to a communication node that can correspond to a UE or a TRP of a BS, Figures 19-22 example implementations of processes 1700-1800 of Figures 17-18 are provided that are specific to a UE mapped to the communication node or a TRP mapped to the communication node.

[0194] Figure 19 An example implementation of process 1700 of Figure 17 is shown in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. In Figure 19 , from Figure 17The communication node is more specifically mapped to the TRP of the BS (e.g., BS 304). At 1910, the TRP obtains first timing information, including a first timing group delay, at a first time associated with the first positioning process between the first user equipment (UE) and the TRP. In some designs, the first timing information may correspond to a measurement of the reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T2 or T4 or Figure 11 t2 or t4. In other designs, the first timing information may correspond to the measurement (or determination) of the transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T1 or T3 or Figure 11 t1 or t3. At 1920, the TRP obtains second timing information, including a second timing group delay, at a second time associated with the second positioning process between the second UE and the TRP. In some designs, the second timing information may correspond to a measurement of the reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T2 or T4 or Figure 11 t2 or t4. In other designs, the second timing information may correspond to the measurement (or determination) of the transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T1 or T3 or Figure 11 The time shift information is determined at t1 or t3. At 1930, the TRP determines the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group. At 1940, the TRP reports the time drift information to the external entity.

[0195] Figure 20 This illustrates another aspect of the disclosure. Figure 17 Example implementation of process 1700. In Figure 20 From Figure 17 The communication node is more specifically mapped to the UE, such as UE 302. At 2010, the UE obtains first timing information, including a first timing group delay, at a first time associated with the first positioning process between the UE and the first transmit-receive point (TRP). In some designs, the first timing information may correspond to a measurement of the reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T2 or T4 or Figure 11 t2 or t4. In other designs, the first timing information may correspond to the measurement (or determination) of the transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T1 or T3 or Figure 11t1 or t3. At 2020, the UE obtains second timing information, including a second timing group delay, at a second time associated with the second positioning process between the UE and the second TRP. In some designs, the second timing information may correspond to a measurement of the reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T2 or T4 or Figure 11 t2 or t4. In other designs, the second timing information may correspond to the measurement (or determination) of the transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T1 or T3 or Figure 11 At 2030, the UE determines the time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay. At 2040, the UE reports the time drift information to an external entity.

[0196] Figure 21 One aspect of this disclosure is shown. Figure 18 Example implementation of process 1800. In Figure 21 From Figure 18 The communication nodes are more specifically mapped to the TRP of the BS, such as BS 304. At 2110, the entity receives time drift information from the Transmitter-Receiver Point (TRP) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first and second timing information, respectively, at the TRP at a first time and a second time associated with the first and second positioning processes, the first positioning process being between the first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, and the second positioning process being between the second UE and the TRP. In some designs, the first and second timing information may correspond to a measurement of the reception time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T2 or T4 or Figure 11 t2 or t4. In other designs, the first and second timing information may correspond to the measurement (or determination) of the transmission time of a reference signal (e.g., DL-PRS, UL-PRS, or SL-PRS), for example... Figure 9 T1 or T3 or Figure 11 t1 or t3. At 2120, the entity determines the location estimate (e.g., the UE's location in a location session with TRP) based at least in part on time drift information.

[0197] Figure 22 This illustrates another aspect of the disclosure. Figure 18 Example implementation of process 1800. In Figure 21 From Figure 18communications node more specifically maps to a UE, such as UE 302. At 2210, the entity receives, from a user equipment (UE), time drift information associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information obtained at the UE at a first time and a second time, respectively, associated with first and second positioning procedures, the first positioning procedure being between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), the second positioning procedure being between the UE and a second TRP. In some designs, the first timing information and the second timing information can correspond to measurements of reception times of reference signals (e.g., DL-PRS or UL-PRS or SL-PRS), such as Figure 9 T2 or T4 of Figure 11 t2 or t4 of Figure 9 T1 or T3 of Figure 11 t1 or t3 of At 2220, the entity determines a position estimate of the UE based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0198] As can be seen in the detailed description above, the different features are grouped together in examples. This manner of disclosure is not to be interpreted as a limitation on the examples clauses to only have features specifically mentioned in each clause. Rather, various aspects of the disclosure can include fewer than all features of a single disclosed example clause. Thus, the following clauses are to be considered in the disclosure as being inclusive of the disclosure in the specification wherein each clause by itself can serve as a separate example. Although each dependent clause can refer to a particular combination of features in the clause with one of the other clauses, aspects of that dependent clause are not limited to the specific combination. It is to be understood that other example clauses can also include combinations of aspects of dependent clauses with the subject matter of any other dependent clause or independent clause, or combinations of aspects of any feature with other dependent and independent clauses. The various aspects disclosed herein expressly include these combinations unless it is explicitly stated or can be readily inferred that a particular combination is not intended (e.g., contradictory aspects, such as defining an element as both an insulator and a conductor). Moreover, it is also intended to include the various aspects of a clause in any other independent clause even if the clause does not directly depend on the independent clause.

[0199] Example implementations are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0200] Clause 1. A method of operating a transmission-reception point (TRP), comprising: obtaining, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, first timing information comprising a first timing group delay; obtaining, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between a second UE and the TRP, second timing information comprising a second timing group delay; determining time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and reporting the time drift information to an external entity.

[0201] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to first and second round-trip-time (RTT) measurements.

[0202] Clause 3. The method of clause 2, wherein the first and second RTT measurements are part of a differential RTT measurement procedure.

[0203] Clause 4. The method of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to uplink or downlink time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements.

[0204] Clause 5. The method of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the first and second timing group delays comprise a receive (Rx) timing group delay, a transmit (Tx) timing group delay, or a Rx-Tx timing group delay.

[0205] Clause 6. The method of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the time drift information indicates a drift rate function, and wherein a relative time drift between the first and second timing group delays is determined based on the drift rate function and a difference between the first time and the second time.

[0206] Clause 7. The method of clause 6, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

[0207] Clause 8. The method of clause 7, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

[0208] Clause 9. The method of any one of clauses 6-8, wherein the drift rate function comprises a non-linear function.

[0209] Clause 10. The method of any one of clauses 6-9, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time at which a previous time drift calibration was performed by the TRP.

[0210] Clause 11. The method of clause 10, wherein determining comprises: determining, based on the drift rate function, a first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time; and determining, based on the drift rate function, a second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time, wherein the relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on a difference between the first time and the second time drifts.

[0211] Clause 12. The method of clause 11, further comprising: determining a first uncertainty level associated with the first time drift; and determining a second uncertainty level associated with the second time drift.

[0212] Clause 13. The method of clause 12, wherein the first uncertainty level is based in part on a first difference between the first time and the third time, and wherein the second uncertainty level is based in part on a second difference between the second time and the third time.

[0213] Clause 14. The method of any one of clauses 12-13, wherein the first and second uncertainty levels are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first and second positioning procedures, respectively.

[0214] Clause 15. The method of any one of clauses 6-14, wherein the time drift information is associated with a time period for which the drift rate function remains valid.

[0215] Clause 16. The method of clause 15, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on a sub-carrier spacing (SCS), a UE capability, a positioning reference signal (PRS), or a sounding reference signal (SRS) bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

[0216] Clause 17. The method of any one of clauses 6-16, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions comprising one or more drift rate functions that are: per SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, per frequency band, per component carrier, per positioning technology, per panel, per Tx chain, per Rx chain, per downlink or uplink Rx, per downlink or uplink Tx, any combination thereof.

[0217] Clause 18. The method of any one of clauses 6-17, wherein the reporting comprises a time drift function in the reported time drift information, or wherein the reporting comprises a differential time drift function parameter that indirectly indicates the time drift function.

[0218] Clause 19. The method of any of clauses 1-18, wherein the external entity corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, a base station associated with the TRPs, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

[0219] Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 1-19, wherein the time drift information comprises an upper bound on a time drift between the first time and the second time.

[0220] Clause 21. A method of operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: obtaining, at a first time associated with a first positioning procedure between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), first timing information comprising a first timing group delay; obtaining, at a second time associated with a second positioning procedure between the UE and a second TRP, second timing information comprising a second timing group delay; determining time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and reporting the time drift information to an external entity.

[0221] Clause 22. The method of clause 21, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to first and second round trip time (RTT) measurements.

[0222] Clause 23. The method of clause 22, wherein the first and second RTT measurements are part of a differential RTT measurement procedure.

[0223] Clause 24. The method of any of clauses 21-23, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to uplink or downlink time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements.

[0224] Clause 25. The method of any of clauses 22-24, wherein the first and second timing group delays comprise a receive (Rx) timing group delay, a transmit (Tx) timing group delay, or a Rx-Tx timing group delay.

[0225] Clause 26. The method of any of clauses 21-25, wherein the time drift information indicates a drift rate function, and wherein a relative time drift between the first and second timing group delays is determined based on the drift rate function and a difference between the first time and the second time.

[0226] Clause 27. The method of clause 26, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

[0227] Clause 28. The method of any of clauses 25-27, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

[0228] Clause 29. The method of any of clauses 26-28, wherein the drift rate function comprises a non-linear function.

[0229] Clause 30. The method of any of clauses 26-29, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time at which a previous time drift calibration was performed by the TRP.

[0230] Clause 31. The method of clause 30, wherein determining comprises: determining, based on the drift rate function, a first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time; and determining, based on the drift rate function, a second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time, wherein the relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on a difference between the first time drift and the second time drift.

[0231] Clause 32. The method of clause 31, further comprising: determining a first uncertainty level associated with the first time drift; and determining a second uncertainty level associated with the second time drift.

[0232] Clause 33. The method of clause 32, wherein the first uncertainty level is based in part on a first difference between the first time and a third time, and wherein the second uncertainty level is based in part on a second difference between the second time and the third time.

[0233] Clause 34. The method of any of clauses 32-33, wherein the first and second uncertainty levels are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information, respectively, associated with the first and second positioning procedures.

[0234] Clause 35. The method of any of clauses 26-34, wherein the time drift information is associated with a time period for which the drift rate function remains valid.

[0235] Clause 36. The method of clause 35, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on a subcarrier spacing (SCS), a UE capability, a positioning reference signal (PRS), or a sounding reference signal (SRS) bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

[0236] Clause 37. The method of any of clauses 26-36, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions comprising one or more drift rate functions that are: per SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, per frequency band, per component carrier, per positioning technology, per panel, per Tx chain, per Rx chain, per downlink or uplink Rx, per downlink or uplink Tx, any combination thereof.

[0237] Clause 38. The method of any of clauses 26-37, wherein the report comprises a time drift function in the reported time drift information, or wherein the report comprises a differential time drift function parameter that indirectly indicates the time drift function.

[0238] Clause 39. The method of any of clauses 21-38, wherein the external entity corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

[0239] Clause 40. The method of any of clauses 21-39, wherein the time drift information comprises an upper bound on a time drift between the first time and the second time.

[0240] Clause 41. A method of operating an entity, comprising: receiving, from a transmission reception point (TRP), time drift information associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information obtained at a UE at a first time and a second time associated with first and second positioning procedures, respectively, the first positioning procedure being between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, the second positioning procedure being between a second UE and the TRP; and determining a positioning estimate based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0241] Clause 42. The method of clause 41, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to first and second round trip time (RTT) measurements.

[0242] Clause 43. The method of clause 42, wherein the first and second RTT measurements are part of a differential RTT measurement procedure.

[0243] Clause 44. The method of any of clauses 41-43, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to uplink or downlink time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements.

[0244] Clause 45. The method of any of clauses 41-44, wherein the first and second timing group delays comprise a receive (Rx) timing group delay, a transmit (Tx) timing group delay, or a Rx-Tx timing group delay.

[0245] Clause 46. The method of any of clauses 41-45, wherein the time drift information indicates a drift rate function, and wherein a relative time drift between the first and second timing group delays is determined based on the drift rate function and a difference between the first time and the second time.

[0246] Clause 47. The method of clause 46, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

[0247] Clause 48. The method of clause 47, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

[0248] Clause 49. The method of any of clauses 46-48, wherein the drift rate function comprises a non-linear function.

[0249] Clause 50. The method of any of clauses 46-49, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time at which a previous time drift calibration was performed by the UE.

[0250] Clause 51. The method of clause 50, wherein a relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on a difference between a first time drift and a second time drift, wherein the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and wherein the second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function,

[0251] Clause 52. The method of clause 51, further comprising: determining a first uncertainty level associated with the first time drift; and determining a second uncertainty level associated with the second time drift.

[0252] Clause 53. The method of clause 52, wherein the first uncertainty level is based in part on a first difference between the first time and a third time, and wherein the second uncertainty level is based in part on a second difference between the second time and the third time.

[0253] Clause 54. The method of any of clauses 52-53, wherein the first and second uncertainty levels are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first and second positioning procedures, respectively.

[0254] Clause 55. The method of any of clauses 46-54, wherein the time drift information is associated with a time period for which the drift rate function remains valid.

[0255] Clause 56. The method of clause 55, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on a subcarrier spacing (SCS), a UE capability, a positioning reference signal (PRS) or sounding reference signal (SRS) bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

[0256] Clause 57. The method of any of clauses 46 to 56, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions comprising one or more drift rate functions that are: per SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, per frequency band, per component carrier, per positioning technology, per panel, per Tx chain, per Rx chain, per downlink or uplink Rx, per downlink or uplink Tx, any combination thereof.

[0257] Clause 58. The method of any of clauses 46 to 57, wherein the time drift information comprises a time drift function, or wherein the time drift information comprises a differential time drift function parameter that indirectly indicates a time drift function.

[0258] Clause 59. The method of any of clauses 41 to 58, wherein the entity corresponds to a first UE, a second UE, a base station associated with a TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

[0259] Clause 60. The method of any of clauses 41 to 59, wherein the time drift information comprises an upper bound on a time drift between a first time and a second time.

[0260] Clause 61. A method of operating an entity, comprising: receiving, from a user equipment (UE), time drift information associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information obtained at the UE at a first time and a second time, respectively, associated with first and second positioning procedures, the first positioning procedure being between the UE and a first transmission reception point (TRP), the second positioning procedure being between the UE and a second TRP; and determining a positioning estimate of the UE based at least in part on the time drift information.

[0261] Clause 62. The method of clause 61, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to first and second round trip time (RTT) measurements.

[0262] Clause 63. The method of clause 62, wherein the first and second RTT measurements are part of a differential RTT measurement procedure.

[0263] Clause 64. The method of any of clauses 61 to 63, wherein the first and second positioning procedures correspond to uplink or downlink time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements.

[0264] Clause 65. The method of any one of clauses 61-64, wherein the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay comprise a receive (Rx) timing group delay, a transmit (Tx) timing group delay, or a Rx-Tx timing group delay.

[0265] Clause 66. The method of any one of clauses 61-65, wherein the time drift information indicates a drift rate function, and wherein the relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the drift rate function and a difference between the first time and the second time.

[0266] Clause 67. The method of clause 66, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

[0267] Clause 68. The method of clause 67, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

[0268] Clause 69. The method of any one of clauses 66-68, wherein the drift rate function comprises a non-linear function.

[0269] Clause 70. The method of any one of clauses 66-69, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time at which a previous time drift calibration was performed by the UE.

[0270] Clause 71. The method of clause 70, wherein the relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on a difference between a first time drift and a second time drift, wherein the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and wherein the second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function,

[0271] Clause 72. The method of clause 71, further comprising: determining a first uncertainty level associated with the first time drift; and determining a second uncertainty level associated with the second time drift.

[0272] Clause 73. The method of clause 72, wherein the first uncertainty level is based in part on a first difference between the first time and the third time, and wherein the second uncertainty level is based in part on a second difference between the second time and the third time.

[0273] Clause 74. The method of any one of clauses 72-73, wherein the first and second uncertainty levels are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first and second positioning procedures, respectively.

[0274] Clause 75. The method of any of clauses 66-74, wherein the time drift information is associated with a time period for which the drift rate function remains valid.

[0275] Clause 76. The method of clause 75, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on a subcarrier spacing (SCS), a UE capability, a positioning reference signal (PRS) or sounding reference signal (SRS) bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

[0276] Clause 77. The method of any of clauses 66-76, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions comprising one or more drift rate functions that are: per SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, per frequency band, per component carrier, per positioning technology, per panel, per Tx chain, per Rx chain, per downlink or uplink Rx, per downlink or uplink Tx, any combination thereof.

[0277] Clause 78. The method of any of clauses 66-77, wherein the time drift information comprises a time drift function, or wherein the time drift information comprises a differential time drift function parameter that indirectly indicates a time drift function.

[0278] Clause 79. The method of any of clauses 61-78, wherein the entity corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

[0279] Clause 80. The method of any of clauses 61-79, wherein the time drift information comprises an upper bound on a time drift between the first time and the second time.

[0280] Clause 81. An apparatus comprising a memory and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the at least one processor configured to perform the method of any of clauses 1-80.

[0281] Clause 82. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of clauses 1-80.

[0282] Clause 83. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, comprising at least one instruction for causing a computer or a processor to perform the method of any of clauses 1-80.

[0283] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that can be referenced throughout the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0284] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0285] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0286] The methods, sequences, and / or algorithms described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in Random-Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal (e.g., an UE). In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0287] In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0288] While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects of the disclosure, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The functions, steps and / or actions of the method claims in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure described herein need not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although elements of the disclosure can be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A method for operating a Transmitter Point (TRP), comprising: First timing information, including a first timing group delay, is obtained at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the first user equipment (UE) and the TRP. Second timing information, including a second timing group delay, is obtained at a second time associated with a second positioning process between the second UE and the TRP. Determine the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group; and Report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

5. The method according to claim 1, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determination comprises: The first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: Determine a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

12. The method according to claim 11, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

14. The method of claim 5, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

17. The method according to claim 5, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the external entity corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, and the base station or location management function (LMF) network entity associated with the TRP.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

20. A method for operating a user equipment (UE), comprising: First timing information, including a first timing group delay, is obtained at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the UE and the first transmit / receive point TRP. Second timing information, including a second timing group delay, is obtained at a second time associated with the second positioning process between the UE and the second TRP. Determine the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group; and Report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

24. The method according to claim 20, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the determination comprises: The first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function; as well as The second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: Determine a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

31. The method according to claim 30, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

35. The method of claim 24, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

36. The method according to claim 24, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

37. The method of claim 20, wherein the external entity corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

38. The method of claim 20, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

39. A method for operating a communication node, comprising: Receive time drift information from the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the TRP at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between a first User Equipment (UE) and the TRP, and the second positioning process is between the second UE and the TRP; and The positioning estimate is determined at least in part based on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

43. The method according to claim 39, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

46. ​​The method of claim 43, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

48. The method according to claim 47, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time drift and the second time drift; Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising: Determine a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

50. The method according to claim 49, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

52. The method of claim 43, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

54. The method of claim 43, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

55. The method according to claim 43, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

56. The method of claim 39, wherein the communication node corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, the base station associated with the TRP, or the location management function (LMF) network entity.

57. The method of claim 39, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

58. A method for operating a communication node, comprising: Receives time drift information from the user equipment (UE) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the UE at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between the UE and a first transmit / receive point (TRP), and the second positioning process is between the UE and a second TRP; and The location estimate of the UE is determined at least in part based on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

62. The method according to claim 58, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

65. The method of claim 62, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

66. The method of claim 62, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the UE performs a previous time drift calibration.

67. The method according to claim 66, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift. Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising: Determine a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

69. The method according to claim 68, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

71. The method of claim 62, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

73. The method of claim 62, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

74. The method according to claim 62, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

75. The method of claim 58, wherein the communication node corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

76. The method of claim 58, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

77. A Transmitter-Receiver Point (TRP), comprising: Memory; as well as At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to: First timing information, including a first timing group delay, is obtained at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the first user equipment (UE) and the TRP. Second timing information, including a second timing group delay, is obtained at a second time associated with a second positioning process between the second UE and the TRP. Determine the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group; and Report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

78. The TRP of claim 77, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement, or...

79. The TRP of claim 78, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

80. The TRP of claim 77, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

81. The TRP according to claim 77, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

82. The TRP of claim 81, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

83. The TRP of claim 82, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

84. The TRP of claim 81, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

85. The TRP of claim 81, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the previous time drift calibration is performed by the TRP.

86. The TRP of claim 85, wherein the determination includes: The first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function; as well as The second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

87. The TRP according to claim 86, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

88. The TRP according to claim 87, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

89. The TRP of claim 87, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

90. The TRP of claim 81, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

91. The TRP of claim 90, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

92. The TRP of claim 81, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

93. The TRP according to claim 81, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

94. The TRP of claim 77, wherein the external entity corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, the base station associated with the TRP, or the location management function (LMF) network entity.

95. The TRP of claim 77, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

96. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Memory; as well as At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to: First timing information, including a first timing group delay, is obtained at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the UE and the first transmit / receive point TRP. Second timing information, including a second timing group delay, is obtained at a second time associated with the second positioning process between the UE and the second TRP. Determine the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group; and Report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

97. The UE of claim 96, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

98. The UE of claim 97, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

99. The UE of claim 96, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

100. The UE according to claim 96, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

101. The UE of claim 100, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

102. The UE according to claim 101, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

103. The UE of claim 100, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

104. The UE of claim 100, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after a previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

105. The UE of claim 104, wherein the determination includes: The first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function; as well as The second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

106. The UE according to claim 105, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

107. The UE according to claim 106, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

108. The UE of claim 106, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

109. The UE of claim 100, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

110. The UE of claim 109, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

111. The UE of claim 100, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

112. The UE according to claim 100, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

113. The UE of claim 96, wherein the external entity corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

114. The UE of claim 96, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

115. A communication node, comprising: Memory; as well as At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to: Receive time drift information from the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the TRP at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between a first User Equipment (UE) and the TRP, and the second positioning process is between the second UE and the TRP; and The positioning estimate is determined at least in part based on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

116. The communication node of claim 115, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

117. The communication node of claim 116, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

118. The communication node of claim 115, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

119. The communication node according to claim 115, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

120. The communication node of claim 119, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

121. The communication node of claim 120, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

122. The communication node of claim 119, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

123. The communication node of claim 119, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after a previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

124. The communication node according to claim 123, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift. Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

125. The communication node according to claim 124, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

126. The communication node according to claim 125, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

127. The communication node of claim 125, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

128. The communication node of claim 119, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

129. The communication node of claim 128, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

130. The communication node of claim 119, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

131. The communication node according to claim 119, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

132. The communication node of claim 115, wherein the communication node corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, the base station associated with the TRP, or the location management function (LMF) network entity.

133. The communication node of claim 115, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

134. A communication node, comprising: Memory; as well as At least one processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, the at least one processor being configured to: Receive time drift information from the user equipment (UE) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the UE at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between the UE and a first transmit-receive point (TRP), and the second positioning process is between the UE and the second TRP; and The location estimate of the UE is determined at least in part based on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

135. The communication node of claim 134, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

136. The communication node of claim 135, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

137. The communication node of claim 134, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

138. The communication node according to claim 134, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

139. The communication node of claim 138, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

140. The communication node of claim 139, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

141. The communication node of claim 138, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

142. The communication node of claim 138, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the UE performs a previous time drift calibration.

143. The communication node according to claim 142, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift; Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

144. The communication node according to claim 143, wherein, The at least one processor is further configured to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

145. The communication node according to claim 144, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

146. The communication node of claim 144, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

147. The communication node of claim 138, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

148. The communication node of claim 147, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

149. The communication node of claim 138, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

150. The communication node according to claim 138, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

151. The communication node of claim 134, wherein the communication node corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

152. The communication node of claim 134, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

153. A Transmitter-Receiver Point (TRP), comprising: A component for obtaining first timing information, including a first timing group delay, at a first time associated with a first positioning process between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP. A component for obtaining second timing information, including a second timing group delay, at a second time associated with a second positioning process between the second UE and the TRP. Components for determining time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and A component used to report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

154. The TRP of claim 153, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

155. The TRP of claim 154, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

156. The TRP of claim 153, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

157. The TRP according to claim 153, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

158. The TRP of claim 157, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

159. The TRP of claim 158, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

160. The TRP of claim 157, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

161. The TRP of claim 157, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the previous time drift calibration is performed by the TRP.

162. The TRP of claim 161, wherein the determination includes: Components for determining the first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; as well as A component for determining the second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

163. The TRP according to claim 162, further comprising: Components for determining a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Components used to determine the level of second uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

164. The TRP according to claim 163, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

165. The TRP of claim 163, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

166. The TRP of claim 157, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

167. The TRP of claim 166, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing (SCS), UE capability, positioning reference signal (PRS) or sounding reference signal (SRS) bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

168. The TRP of claim 157, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

169. The TRP according to claim 157, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

170. The TRP of claim 153, wherein the external entity corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, the base station associated with the TRP, or the location management function (LMF) network entity.

171. The TRP of claim 153, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

172. A user equipment (UE), comprising: Component for obtaining first timing information, including a first timing group delay, at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the UE and the first transmit / receive point TRP; Component for obtaining second timing information, including a second timing group delay, at a second time associated with a second positioning process between the UE and the second TRP; Components for determining time drift information associated with the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay; and A component used to report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

173. The UE of claim 172, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

174. The UE of claim 173, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

175. The UE of claim 172, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

176. The UE according to claim 172, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

177. The UE of claim 176, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

178. The UE of claim 177, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

179. The UE of claim 176, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

180. The UE of claim 176, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

181. The UE of claim 180, wherein the determination includes: Components for determining the first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; as well as A component for determining the second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

182. The UE according to claim 181, further comprising: Components for determining a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Components used to determine the level of second uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

183. The UE according to claim 182, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

184. The UE of claim 182, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

185. The UE of claim 176, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

186. The UE of claim 185, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing (SCS), UE capability, positioning reference signal (PRS) or sounding reference signal (SRS) bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

187. The UE of claim 176, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

188. The UE according to claim 176, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

189. The UE of claim 172, wherein the external entity corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

190. The UE of claim 172, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

191. A communication node, comprising: A component for receiving time drift information from a transmit-receive point (TRP) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the TRP at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between a first user equipment (UE) and the TRP, and the second positioning process is between the second UE and the TRP. as well as Components used to determine a positioning estimate based at least in part on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

192. The communication node of claim 191, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

193. The communication node of claim 192, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

194. The communication node of claim 191, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

195. The communication node according to claim 191, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

196. The communication node of claim 195, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

197. The communication node of claim 196, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

198. The communication node of claim 195, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

199. The communication node of claim 195, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after a previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

200. The communication node according to claim 199, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift. Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

201. The communication node according to claim 200, further comprising: Components for determining a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Components used to determine the level of second uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

202. The communication node according to claim 201, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

203. The communication node of claim 201, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

204. The communication node of claim 195, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

205. The communication node of claim 204, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

206. The communication node of claim 195, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

207. The communication node according to claim 195, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

208. The communication node of claim 191, wherein the communication node corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, the base station associated with the TRP, or the location management function (LMF) network entity.

209. The communication node of claim 191, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

210. A communication node, comprising: A component for receiving time drift information from a user equipment (UE) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the UE at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between the UE and a first transmit / receive point (TRP), and the second positioning process is between the UE and the second TRP. as well as A component for determining the positioning estimate of the UE based at least in part on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

211. The communication node of claim 210, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

212. The communication node of claim 211, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

213. The communication node of claim 210, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

214. The communication node according to claim 210, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

215. The communication node of claim 214, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

216. The communication node of claim 215, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

217. The communication node of claim 214, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

218. The communication node of claim 214, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the UE performs a previous time drift calibration.

219. The communication node according to claim 218, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift. Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

220. The communication node according to claim 219, further comprising: Components for determining a first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; as well as Components used to determine the level of second uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

221. The communication node according to claim 220, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

222. The communication node of claim 220, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

223. The communication node of claim 214, wherein the time drift information is associated with the time period during which the drift rate function remains valid.

224. The communication node of claim 223, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

225. The communication node of claim 214, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

226. The communication node according to claim 214, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

227. The communication node of claim 210, wherein the communication node corresponds to a base station or a location management function (LMF) network entity associated with the first TRP or the second TRP.

228. The communication node of claim 210, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

229. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a transmit-receive point (TRP), cause the TRP to: First timing information, including a first timing group delay, is obtained at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the first user equipment (UE) and the TRP. Second timing information, including a second timing group delay, is obtained at a second time associated with a second positioning process between the second UE and the TRP. Determine the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group; and Report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

230. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 229, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

231. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 230, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

232. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 229, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

233. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 229, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

234. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 233, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

235. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 234, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

236. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 233, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

237. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 233, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after a previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

238. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 237, wherein the determination includes: The first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function; as well as The second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

239. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 238, wherein one or more instructions further cause the TRP to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

240. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 239, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

241. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 239, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

242. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 233, wherein the time drift information is associated with a period of time during which the drift rate function remains valid.

243. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 242, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

244. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 233, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

245. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 233, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

246. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 229, wherein the external entity corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, the base station associated with the TRP, or the location management function (LMF) network entity.

247. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 229, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

248. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a user equipment (UE), cause the UE to: First timing information, including a first timing group delay, is obtained at a first time associated with a first positioning process between the UE and the first transmit / receive point TRP. Second timing information, including a second timing group delay, is obtained at a second time associated with the second positioning process between the UE and the second TRP. Determine the time drift information associated with the delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group; and Report the time drift information to external entities. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

249. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 248, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

250. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 249, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

251. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 248, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to an uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

252. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 248, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

253. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 252, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

254. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 253, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

255. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 252, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

256. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 252, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after a previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

257. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 256, wherein the determination comprises: The first time drift associated with the first timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function; as well as The second time drift associated with the second timing information relative to the third time is determined based on the drift rate function. The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift.

258. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 257, wherein one or more instructions further cause the UE to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

259. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 258, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

260. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 258, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

261. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 252, wherein the time drift information is associated with a period of time during which the drift rate function remains valid.

262. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 261, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

263. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 252, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

264. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 252, in, The report includes the time drift function in the reported time drift information, or The report includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

265. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 248, wherein the external entity corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

266. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 248, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

267. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a communication node, cause the communication node to: Receive time drift information associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information from the Transmitter / Receiver Point (TRP), wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the TRP at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between a first User Equipment (UE) and the TRP, and the second positioning process is between a second UE and the TRP; and The positioning estimate is determined at least in part based on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

268. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 267, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

269. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 268, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

270. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 267, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to an uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

271. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 267, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

272. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 271, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

273. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 272, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

274. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 271, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

275. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 271, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after a previous time drift calibration performed by the TRP.

276. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 275, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift. Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

277. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 276, wherein one or more instructions further cause the communication node to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

278. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 277, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

279. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 277, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

280. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 271, wherein the time drift information is associated with a period of time during which the drift rate function remains valid.

281. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 280, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

282. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 271, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

283. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 271, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

284. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 267, wherein the communication node corresponds to the first UE, the second UE, a base station associated with the TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

285. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 267, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

286. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a communication node, cause the communication node to: Receive time drift information from the user equipment (UE) associated with a first timing group delay and a second timing group delay included in first timing information and second timing information, wherein the first timing information and the second timing information are obtained at the UE at a first time and a second time respectively associated with a first positioning process and a second positioning process, wherein the first positioning process is between the UE and a first transmit-receive point (TRP), and the second positioning process is between the UE and the second TRP; and The location estimate of the UE is determined at least in part based on the time drift information. The delay of the first timing group and the delay of the second timing group include the delay of receiving Rx timing group, the delay of sending Tx timing group, or the delay of Rx-Tx timing group.

287. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 286, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to a first round-trip time (RTT) measurement and a second round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

288. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 287, wherein the first RTT measurement and the second RTT measurement are part of a differential RTT measurement process.

289. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 286, wherein the first positioning process and the second positioning process correspond to an uplink or downlink difference of arrival (TDOA) measurement.

290. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 286, in, The time drift information indicates the drift rate function, and The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is determined based on the difference between the drift rate function and the first time and the second time.

291. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 290, wherein the drift rate function comprises a linear function.

292. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 291, wherein the linear function comprises a piecewise linear function.

293. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 290, wherein the drift rate function comprises a nonlinear function.

294. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 290, wherein the drift rate function is relative to a third time after the UE performs a previous time drift calibration.

295. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 294, in, The relative time drift between the first timing group delay and the second timing group delay is based on the difference between the first time and the second time drift. Wherein, the first time drift is associated with the first timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function; and The second time drift is associated with the second timing information relative to the third time based on the drift rate function.

296. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 295, wherein one or more instructions further cause the communication node to: Determine the first level of uncertainty associated with the first time drift; and Determine the second level of uncertainty associated with the second time drift.

297. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 296, in, The first level of uncertainty is based in part on the first difference between the first time and the third time, and The second level of uncertainty is based in part on the second difference between the second time and the third time.

298. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 296, wherein the first uncertainty level and the second uncertainty level are configured to weight the first timing information and the second timing information associated with the first positioning process and the second positioning process, respectively.

299. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 290, wherein the time drift information is associated with a period of time during which the drift rate function remains valid.

300. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 299, wherein the time period is dynamically determined based on the subcarrier spacing SCS, UE capability, positioning reference signal PRS or sounding reference signal SRS bandwidth, or a combination thereof.

301. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 290, wherein the drift rate function comprises a set of drift rate functions, the set of drift rate functions including one or more drift rate functions, which are: Each SRS resource or SRS resource set ID, Each frequency band, Each component carrier, Each positioning technology, Each panel, Each Tx chain, Each Rx chain, Each downlink or uplink Rx, Each downlink or uplink Tx, or Any combination thereof.

302. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 290, in, The time drift information includes a time drift function, or The time drift information includes differential time drift function parameters that indirectly indicate the time drift function.

303. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 286, wherein the communication node corresponds to a base station associated with the first TRP or the second TRP, or a location management function (LMF) network entity.

304. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 286, wherein the time drift information includes an upper limit of the time drift between the first time and the second time.

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